Seasonal Safety Tips
End of the Semester: Moving Out
It's the last week of school and everyone is getting ready to go home for the summer! The UMass Police would like you to please keep in mind that, with all the moving, it can be easy to leave your property unattended at times and occasionally to leave your room doors unlocked and opened. There will be many people coming in and out of the residence halls, and if items are left unattended or are not secured, they just may disappear.
Here are a few suggestions to help keep your property safe while moving out:- Keep your rooms and vehicles locked while moving property from one location to another location
- Try not to leave your property unattended
- Do not leave things in plain sight
- Keep valuables on your person at all times (for example: money, jewelry, wallet, purse)
Fall: Red Zone
The Red Zone refers to the time period between the start of the school year and Thanksgiving Break when college women, especially first-year students, are at the highest risk for sexual assault. One out of four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Here are some tips that may be helpful in reducing your risk of being sexually assaulted:
- Walk with a friend
- Take the DART Van or call Public Safety at 508-999-8107 (or x8107) for an escort
- Pay attention to your surroundings
- Don't prop doors
- Lock your car and room/house
- Remember: To report any emergency or crime on campus, call 9191. Off campus, call 911.
- Take a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D) course.
R.A.D. is a national program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques taught exclusively for women. All courses are taught by nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors. Sign up now at Public Safety or the Womens Resource Center, or call Public Safety at 508-999-8967 (x8967) and leave a message.
Holiday Safety Tips
The UMass Dartmouth Police/Public Safety Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that with the upcoming holidays, thefts increase. We would like to share with all of you few simple tips to help make your holidays safe:
- When out shopping, avoid carrying large amounts of money with you
- Do not leave your packages in plain view in your vehicle; lock them in your trunk
- When shopping, never leave a package unattended
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit area
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times
- Resident students should take home all valuables during winter break, for example: laptops, MP3 players, game systems, iPods, etc.
Remember that theft is a crime of opportunity. Please reduce your chances of being a victim by using these safety tips.
