There is no magic formula to keeping yourself safe in a campus environment. Probably the closest thing to a magic formula is good old fashioned common sense. Does it make sense to be walking alone late at night? Is Carolina somehow immune to the crime trends of the surrounding area? Is it safe to leave a book bag unattended on a library table or outside the Student Store? No, no and no. Below are some tips designed to reduce your risk of becoming victim of a crime:
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
The element of surprise is one of the most effective tools the criminal has. Take away that tool. While walking, take a frequent look behind and to the sides. Be aware of who is there. Often people are absorbed in thought, reading, listening to personal stereos, and any number of activities so distracting that a mugger or attacker can virtually be on top of them before they sense their presence. By then it's too late to mount an effective escape.
Walking near dark shadowed or heavily foliaged areas can also increase your chances of being surprised by an attacker. Especially while walking alone, give these "hiding places" a wide berth. Even if you must cross a street or take other slightly inconvenient steps to distance yourself from potential hazards, a little inconvenience is far better than a lot of hurt. Again, be aware of your surroundings and don't let these danger areas surprise you.
Campus lighting corridors provide increased lighting for walks and parking lots that are frequently used at night. Lighting corridors run from East Franklin Street at the north end of campus to Rams Village residence halls on south campus. East-west corridors follow Cameron Avenue and South Road.
Protect Your Wallet/Purse
No one intends to lose a wallet or purse, but it happens. Some people feel it’s a status symbol to see how many credit cards and how much cash they can cram into a wallet or purse. While it may look impressive, once lost it opens up your life to a common thief. Carry only what you need for each day and leave the rest at home secured in a proper place.
Check Credit Card Statements
Check your statements! (This is easier to do before shredding). Unauthorized purchases are not too common but they do occur. Every time you use your credit card, you are giving your credit card number to another person; usually a complete stranger. Incidents have occurred where an unscrupulous cashier has retained that credit card number and made purchases. You need not have the actual credit card stolen from you in order to become the victim of a credit card fraud. Report any unauthorized purchases or transactions to your credit card company immediately and contact the police.
Think Before You Drink
Watch any nature program on television and you’ll learn that predators like lions and wolves tend to target for attack the very young, the elderly and the physically impaired. Criminals are predators and use the same predatory mentality. A person who is intoxicated to the point of physical and mental impairment makes him or her self an easy target for an attacker. Alcohol impairs many of the faculties we depend on to make good sound decisions for ourselves. Impaired individuals may take chances a sober person would never consider. While it is not the philosophy of the Department of Public Safety to encourage excessive drinking, especially underage drinking, let's be real... it happens. When it does, be careful. Never drink and drive, but never walk home alone either. If you are out at a club and find you've had a little too much to drink, call a cab, call a friend or take the bus. Walking home drunk can be nearly as dangerous as driving. Also, drunken pedestrians are more susceptible to becoming crime victims.
Trust Your Instincts
Don't be afraid to listen to that little voice in your head when it's telling you something just doesn't seem right. If you sense something is wrong, get away from the situation. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Watch for behavior or attitudes that may signal trouble. Does your date show a lack of respect? Does your date want to make all the decisions? Is your date pressuring you to drink alcohol or take drugs? Any or all of these signals should send up a red flag..
Be Street Smart
Know where you need to go and the safest way to get there. Avoid shortcuts that take you into secluded or dark areas. Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable and allow you to move quickly if necessary; and don't become overloaded with packages. They can make you look defenseless.
When biking or jogging, find a friend to go with you. It makes exercise time more enjoyable and keeps you safer at the same time. Avoid wearing headphones which can make you less aware of your surroundings and once again avoid isolated areas. Also consider varying your routine. Stalkers can be very patient waiting for the right time to strike. Changing the time, routes, etc., can throw a stalker off guard.
Home Safety
No matter what kind of home you have, most of these tips apply to you. Before you reach the door make sure you have the door key in your hand. Fumbling for a key when someone is approaching makes you vulnerable to attack. Note the condition of your home as you approach and before entering. Are lights on that weren't when you left? Is the door ajar? Is there damage to a door or window? If you think someone who doesn’t belong there might be in your home, DO NOT ENTER. Leave and call the police.
Outside doors of residence halls are locked to keep out people who shouldn’t be there. Don’t defeat this safety measure by holding the door open for the person behind you.
In high-rise apartments and residence halls, elevators are a way of life. Try not to enter an elevator alone or when a single rider that makes you uncomfortable is aboard. When you are on an elevator, try to stand near the control panel and note the location of the emergency alarm button. If attacked hit that alarm button NOT the STOP button.
If you live on campus and notice lights burned out in and around residence facilities or any other safety hazard, you can report them directly to Facilities Services at 962-3456 or Public Safety at 962-8100.
Chapel Hill Transit
Free Chapel Hill Transit buses are a good transportation option both on campus and around town. If you hate to stand at the bus stop by yourself in the dark, before you leave you can go online and check to see if the bus is on time or running late. http://www.nextbus.com/predictor/publicMap.shtml?a=chapel-hill
Late Night Transit Options on Campus
*The P2P Express offers free, regularly scheduled transportation along a fixed campus route, seven days a week, during Spring and Fall semesters, from 7 pm to 3 am. Just show your OneCard to board.
*After dark the P2P Shuttle provides transportation to and from any open campus building not served by the P2P Express route. Call 962-7867 for a ride.
*The P2P Shuttle also provides after-dark transportation from the Manning, Bowles, and PR parking lots and the Craige and Cardinal parking decks. One-touch direct-line call boxes let you call P2P and then stay in your car till it arrives. Remember to lock your doors when you’re driving!
*Safe Ride provides transportation from Franklin Street to Carrboro and Southern Village on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 11:00pm to2:30 am.
Especially For Women
Every woman needs to take special precautions because so many crimes target women. Is it fair? Of course it isn't; but it is reality. Women are much more likely than men to become victims of rape and sexual offenses, domestic violence, indecent exposure, stalking and harassment. These crimes know no social, economic or cultural boundaries, and they can happen any time of the day or night and anywhere.
Acquaintance Rape
Rape, whether it is perpetrated by a total stranger or someone you thought was your friend, is a serious crime. For too long now people have heard the term "date rape" and thought of it as a lesser crime than "real rape." All rapes are real! All are serious. As women you have to use caution in dating as you do in so many other aspects of your life.
One out of six women in college has been raped by someone known to her. Drugs and alcohol play a major role in these occurrences. Seventy-seven percent of the time, the man involved has been drinking or using drugs; 55% of the women involved have been drinking or using drugs. Only about 5% of these rapes are ever reported to the police.
Often singles will meet prospective dates at a club or party and give this almost total stranger their telephone number. You may not want to give that information out so readily. Most telephone companies publish a Criss-Cross Directory where telephone numbers are listed sequentially and include the person's address. When a person asks for your number, try a little role reversal; ask for theirs instead.
On a first date instead of having your date pick you up at your home, suggest meeting at the restaurant or movie. This gives you more time to get to know your date before revealing where you live. If you have your own car with you, you can easily leave if your date turns too aggressive, drinks too much or is just generally the world's all-time biggest jerk.
Don't be afraid to declare your sexual limits early-on. Doing this before you get into a sexual situation can prevent one from happening in the first place. Make sure your date understands when you say no, it means NO!
Never leave your drink--alcoholic or otherwise--unattended, especially in crowded bars and parties. "Date-rape drugs" are real. Once slipped into an unsuspecting person's drink, they can dramatically alter the person's decision- making processes, making them do things they normally wouldn't even consider.
Contact Phone Numbers
1. UNC-CH Police Emergency 911
2. Orange County Rape Crisis Center
24 Hour Crisis Line 967-7273
Office 968-4647
3. UNC-CH Police Crime Prevention Officer 966-3230
4. UNC-CH Police Non-Emergency 962-8100
5. UNC-CH Hospitals 966-4131
Emergency Room 966-4721
6. UNC-CH Counseling & Wellness
Service 966-3658
7. Campus Health Service 966-2281
8. P2P Shuttle 962-7867
Chapel Hill Transit Schedules
http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.asp?NID=397
