Safety and Security Advice for College Students
Enhancing your personal security as a college
student does not have to be very complicated or time consuming.
This may be the first time you are away from home and you
probably have not thought too much about you personal security
until now. Even worse, many students think, “It can’t happen to
me.” The most important thing you can do is adopt the mindset
that college students are targets for criminals, and that it can
indeed happen to you.
I am a professor in a small college town in rural Idaho where my
oldest daughter just graduated with her degree. I have seen,
firsthand, how casually college students treat their personal
security. They just do not believe anything will happen to them
– especially in a small town like this one. The sad truth is
that there is a lot of crime perpetrated against college
students. Campus crime statistics from all over the United
States show that the three most common offenses are burglary,
vehicle theft, and assault. You can reduce the chance that it
will happen to you. Most of what you must do is very simple; you
just need to remember to do it.
Burglary
As a group, college students have more expensive computer and
electronic equipment than the general population. These items
are valuable, easy to sell, and very portable. Because students
spend a lot of time socializing in each other’s apartments and
dorm rooms, nobody regards it as suspicious when they see people
they do not know coming and going. An unlocked apartment is
“easy pickings” for criminals.
Always lock your door – even if you will only be
across the hall for a few minutes.
Vehicle Theft
You can usually tell which cars belong to students, and which
ones belong to faculty at my university. Students drive the
expensive ones. Their cars are the most likely to be stolen.
But, even more common than losing your car, is having your
belongings taken from it. College students tend to keep a lot of
valuables in their cars. Make sure your car is locked and your
valuables are out of sight. Locking them in the trunk is even
better.
Always lock you car with the windows up – even on
blistering hot days.
Maybe you ride a bike instead. Bicycles are also popular targets
for thieves. They can be very expensive and are often easy to
steal. When a thief rides away on your bike, everyone will just
think he owns it.
Always lock up your bike with a good cable or frame
lock – and take the front wheel with you if possible.
Assault
Your personal security after dark is of special concern, because
this is when most assaults occur. Assault is bad enough, but
sexual assault is even worse. It can scar you for life, so women
should be particularly careful. There is safety in numbers. If
you must be out after dark, go with a friend. If you cannot find
another student you know to go with you, use a security escort.
Many campuses provide this as a free service for college
students traveling back to their dorms from the library or late
night classes. You simply call campus security and some security
escorts will come to walk you home.
Always walk with a friend or security escort after
dark – even if it is just across campus.
Dating can also result in sexual assault. One of the best things
you can do on a date to reduce the likelihood of sexual assault
is to refrain from alcohol and drugs. Insist that your date does
too. Drinking, or taking drugs, impairs your judgment, and
weakens your inhibitions. Some men, sadly, hope it will make
their date more receptive to sexual activity. Because alcohol
and drugs makes some people aggressive, he might not take “no”
for an answer. Aside from any moral issues you may have with
sex, your date may have Herpes or HIV. There is no known cure
for either of these diseases. Do not let your guard down.
Always avoid alcohol and drugs during a date – it
could save your life.
For more personal safety and
security tips, visit
SafetyCellar.com.