Office Security
Many of the tips we recommend for your home we also recommend for your office. If you work in a shared office with others it becomes a little more difficult to protect your property than if your office is a single. While it may be more difficult, it's not impossible. First, communicate with your coworkers about your concerns about security. Make a pact amongst yourselves that the last person to leave will lock the door. Carry your office key with you anytime you leave the office. While this is not necessarily a safety point, it may save you the inconvenience and embarrassment of returning to your office after a break to find everyone gone and the place locked up.
Locking your office door when you are absent is the #1 defense against a property crime occurring at your office. A closed, but unlocked door offers no defense against crime. Ask any Police Officer about investigating office thefts and they'll tell you they've heard countless victims say, "I was only down at the copier a few minutes." Office crimes, like most other crimes are crimes of opportunity. Take away the opportunity! Lock your door.
If you bring personal items to work such as a coffee pot, radio or whatever, engrave them with your identification information. Engravers are available from the Crime Prevention Office. You can call 966-3230 to make arrangements reserve one.
Don't advertise your own or your co-workers business to the world. Telling a caller that a co-worker is on vacation may be telling a burglar that the coast is clear to break into their house. Try telling callers that the person they seek is "unavailable" and leave it at that. The less said the better.
Working late in your office brings its own inherent security concerns. Once the majority of people have left your work area, don't be afraid to lock your office door while you're inside. Unless you are expecting numerous visitors, this should not present a major hassle for you. It's certainly less inconvenient to occasionally have to answer a knock at your door than to be a victim of crime. And never answer a door if you are uncertain as to the identity of the person on the other side.
Once darkness has fallen, walking across a big empty parking lot to your car can be frightening for many people. Even if your car is parked within eyeshot of your building, you can plan ahead for your personal safety. Call the University Police and request that an officer be in the area while you exit. Be prepared to leave the building immediately upon the officer's arrival. Police on campus are very busy assisting citizens throughout the campus. It's impractical for officers to wait 15, 10 even five minutes for each person requesting this type of service.
Preventing unauthorized access to your computer can save a lot of problems for you and the university. In a private office security of your computer can be as simple as locking you door whenever you're absent. In an office suite you may have to take extraordinary actions. Password protect your system. Securing the keyboard and mouse in a lockable desk drawer can also dissuade the occasional busybody from checking out your files.
Shop Security
Throughout the university, Facilities Services, Grounds, and numerous other service technicians and trades people maintain shops filled with tools and other expensive equipment. Workers in these areas need to take special precautions to assure shop security. With tools and certain lawn equipment being a hot ticket item with pawn shops and flea markets, they often become the object of attention by would-be thieves. Store tools in a locked tool chest. Never leave a shop vehicle unlocked with tools inside and store them out-of-sight. Car windows offer no defense from theft.
Classroom and Lab Security
Often multi-media equipment is reported stolen to the University Police which had been left unattended after adjournment of a class. Laptop computers used in PowerPoint presentations top the list. When arranging for pick-up of university equipment, try arranging for the items to be picked up at your office or some other occupied area.
The University Police also receive numerous reports each semester of book bags being stolen, or items being taken from book bags, even though the owner was in very close proximity to the bag. Students sometimes have to go from room to room during labs and other activities and often leave their book bags behind. Even in a room full of classmates and professors, a sly thief can avoid detection while lifting your wallet, cellular telephone or whatever. Always keep a close eye on your property and take only essential items with you to class.
Students studying or conducting research in Davis, Undergraduate or Wilson Libraries also need to maintain control at all times over their book bags, purses, etc. Each semester thefts are reported by students who leave to return a book, make photo-copies and so on. Take your stuff with you.
Violence in the Workplace
There are many forms of violence in the workplace ranging from verbal disagreements to homicide, and violence in the workplace is on the rise. Despite what the media would have you believe, violence in the workplace is usually committed by a stranger versus a "disgruntled employee." Statistically 75% of all work-related homicides are committed by an unknown assailant committing a robbery or some other crime. Are you safe at work? Ask yourself these questions:
Is your office secure?
Do you have easy access to a telephone?
Do you know the campus emergency number? (911) (You do now)
Are office access controls present and in working order?
Is the lighting good?
Do you know what to do if you foresee potential violence issues with an employee?
Report any lighting or safety issues to Facilities Services at 962-3456 or Public Safety at 962-8100.
