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Southern University Police Department

Criminal Prevention Tips

Criminal Prevention Tips

Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation which may arise.

Instead, we hope to teach you how to think "crime prevention" in day-to-day living. The suggestions presented should not be thought of as a list of crime prevention measures, but as examples of common sense behavior that will help you to make life safer and more secure.

Throughout the year, the SUBR Police Department talks to a wide variety of groups on campus. Topics range from personal safety to sexual assault prevention.

The SUBR Police Department is committed to meeting the needs of the community by presenting these programs as requested by the various campus organizations.

To schedule a crime prevention program or talk, please contact the SUBR Police Department at 771-2770 (3-2770 from any Campus phone).

PROTECT YOURSELF 

  • LOCK THE DOOR to your apartment or residence hall when you are alone, asleep, or out of the room. A locked door affords extra protection.
  • DO NOT OPEN your door to strangers. If your door has a peep hole, use it to identify visitors before allowing access. Report any problems with your door's security devices immediately to your Hall Director or to your apartment manager.
  • DO NOT GIVE YOUR NAME, address, or phone number to strangers. If you have your name published in the local telephone directory, use only initials and do not list your address.
  • WHEN GOING OUT, let your roommate, or a friend, or a staff member know where you are going, with whom, and when you expect to return. If you choose to stay out, call that person and let him/her know.
  • AT NIGHT, travel in frequently used and well lighted areas. Avoid taking "shortcuts". Utilize the services offered by the Evening Campus Shuttle. This is a safe and free way to travel between campus buildings and parking lots during the evening hours. The Evening Campus Shuttle telephone number is 771-6222 (3-6222 from any Campus phone)
  • WALK FACING TRAFFIC whenever possible. This increases awareness of potential traffic hazards and also reduces the possibility of being followed by someone in a vehicle. Avoid walking by the curb or near buildings or shrubbery. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk with confidence.
  • IF YOU FEEL THREATENED or suspect that you are being followed, walk toward lighted areas where there are people. Look over your shoulder frequently - this lets the follower know that you are aware of both his presence and your surroundings.
  • EMERGENCY CALL BOXES give you direct access to the SUBR Police Department 24 hours a day. Use these call boxes to contact the Police Department for any reason. If in an emergency you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, just press the button and a police officer will respond to your location immediately.
  • WHEN RIDING IN A CAR, keep the doors locked. Park in the most lighted area you can find. Upon returning to your car, have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle. Check the back and front seats to make sure that the car is empty before you get in.
  • DO NOT PICK UP HITCHHIKERS and do not hitchhike.
  • IF ANYTHING MAKES YOU LOOK TWICE OR FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, CALL THE POLICE. REPORT ANY UNUSUAL OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY.
  • USE THE TELEPHONE ON YOUR TERMS, not the caller's. Do not talk to someone unless you want to. If the caller makes an obscene or improperly suggestive remark, HANG-UP. The police should be notified if the telephone calls continue.


PROTECT YOUR POSSESSIONS AT HOME 

  • LOCK YOUR DOOR when you are away from your room, apartment or house. Most thefts and burglaries of student's rooms occur when the doors remain unlocked. By locking the door behind you the opportunity is reduced. Remember that it takes less than 30 seconds to get "ripped off".
  • KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED AND LOCKED when away from your room or your apartment. This protects your belongings from theft and intrusion.
  • KEEP A RECORD OF THE SERIAL NUMBERS of all your belongings. Items of value that do not have a serial number should be engraved with your driver's license number, Social Security number and photographed. Clothing can be marked with an indelible laundry marker.
  • DO NOT ADVERTISE YOUR VALUABLES. Keep them out of sight. Arrange your room so that high-risk items such as stereos, televisions and cameras are not visible from the hallway when the door is open, or from ground level windows.
  • ITEMS OF HIGH MONETARY VALUE which have minimal use in a university environment (such as expensive jewelry, personal or family mementos, or collections of any kind) should be left at home. Very expensive items should be stored in a safe deposit box at your bank or credit union.
  • DO NOT KEEP LARGE SUMS OF CASH in your room or apartment. A checking account is safer. Remember to keep your checks in a secure place. Do not talk indiscriminately about receiving money. There is no need to advertise to potential thieves.
  • INSURANCE in Residence Halls covers the institution's property only. Residents are encouraged to provide their own insurance against loss of or damage to personal possessions. If your family has homeowner's insurance, check with your family agent about coverage. There are a variety of renter's policies available from insurance carriers for apartment dwellers. On-campus residents may contact the Department of Residential Housing for insurance information.


PROTECT YOURSELF IN YOUR CAR

  • LOCK YOUR CAR and take the keys with you. Many car burglaries and car thefts occur because the owner did not take time to secure the car. Don't make your car a target of opportunity by leaving it unlocked.
  • DO NOT PARK in isolated, dark places if these areas can be avoided. Park where there are people about and where the car will be lighted.
  • DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLE items unattended in your car. Place expensive items such as cameras, packages and even text books in the locked trunk.
  • WHILE RIDING IN YOUR CAR be aware of your surroundings. When approaching an intersection, leave one or two car lengths distance between your car and the car in front of you. This creates an escape route should the need arise. If bumped from behind, remain inside your car and keep the windows rolled up. If possible, drive to a safe location such as a conveinence store, police station or other populated area and report the accident. Bumping from behind is a common method used in Carjackings.

  • PROTECT YOURSELF IN PUBLIC AREAS 
  • DO NOT LEAVE PERSONAL PROPERTY UNATTENDED. In public areas, such as the Library, Student Union and classrooms, do not leave your personal effects unattended, even "for just a minute."
  • DO NOT CARRY MORE CASH than you need. Avoid "flashing" your cash in public.
  • DO NOT CARRY BOTH YOUR IDENTIFICATION cards and checks in your wallet. Keep them separate: I.D.s in your wallet in one pocket and your checkbook in another pocket. Do not write your PIN number down. If you do lose your checkbook or bank card, the thief will not have access to that number.
  • CARRY YOUR PURSE OR BACKPACK close to your body, and keep a tight grip on it.
  • MARK ITEMS that you normally take to class, such as textbooks, backpacks and calculator, with either your name or driver's license number.
  • KEEP A LIST of your credit cards, identification cards and checking account numbers. If they are stolen or lost, you will have a list of numbers to provide to the police. Remember that you must not only contact the police, but all of the credit card companies and banks with which you do business. Make these notifications immediately.
  • Cellular telephones are an excellent way to remain in touch and summon help in an emergency.

  • BICYCLES 
  • LOCK IT IF YOU CARE. Never leave your bicycle unlocked and unattended. The Police Department recommends that bicycles be secured with an oversized "U" shaped bicycle lock, or with a lock-and-chain/cable combination which has at least a 5/8-inch diameter chain or steel cable and which is secured by a padlock. The padlock should have a hardened case and shank, with a shank diameter of at least 3/8 inch. Do not lock bikes to themselves or to railings or buildings.
  • ENGRAVE your bicycle with your name or driver's license number and keep a record of it with a description of the bike and serial number.
  • The SUBR Police Department provides bicycle registration services for a fee, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at William L. Pass Station, B.A. Little Drive. Each registration consists of a bicycle permit which complies with the City of Baton Rouge Registration Ordinance. It is necessary to bring your bicycle with you to complete the registration process.


PERSONAL SECURITY AT THE OFFICE 

  • Never leave your purse, backpack or briefcase in plain view.
  • Personal property should be marked with your driver's license number.
  • Don't leave cash or valuables at the office.
  • If you work alone or before/after normal business hours, keep the office door locked.
  • If you work late, try to find another worker or call for an escort when exiting the building.
  • Be alert for pickpockets on crowded elevators.
  • Be aware of escape routes for emergencies, and post phone numbers of the campus police near telephones.
  • Be extra careful in stairwells and restrooms.
  • In an elevator, stand near the controls and locate the emergency button.
  • If you are assaulted while in an elevator, hit the emergency or alarm button and press as many floor buttons as possible.


RULES FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RESIDENCE HALLS

Specific student housing rules and procedures have been developed and implemented to make your building a safe and secure home. Following are examples of some important rules designed to enhance the safety and security of residents. No matter what type of security program is implemented, there are no foolproof measures, and nothing is effective without the support of every individual to not violate those measures.

  • DURING EVENING AND NIGHT HOURS, always leave and enter through the main entrance.
  • NEVER LET GUESTS into the building through any door other than the main entrance.
  • NEVER ADMIT uninvited nonresidents into the building. Do not let strangers into the building as your guests.
  • GUESTS must be checked-in through the proper procedures. This is for the guests' protection as well as the protection of the other hall residents.
  • REPORT any unescorted person or stranger to the police at once. You do not need to contact a staff member prior to calling the police in such a case.
  • DO NOT LEND the keys to your room nor your student identification card to anyone.
  • UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you prop open any exterior door. Although it may seem harmless and convenient, you are endangering both yourself and everyone else. The exterior doors are locked for your safety. Neither should interior fire doors be propped open. Doing so eliminated their effectiveness in preventing the spread of fire or smoke.
  • NO MOTORCYCLES, FIREARMS, FIREWORKS OR PETS ARE ALLOWED IN RESIDENCE HALLS. For further information contact the Department of Residential Housing at 771-3590.
  • NEVER GO ONTO THE LEDGES outside your window. It's a long but very quick trip to the ground.
  • DO NOT PLAY PRACTICAL JOKES. These seemingly harmless activities often lead to unforeseen injury or damage.


KNOW HOW TO CALL FOR HELP 

For any POLICE , FIRE, or Medical Emergency, dial 771-2770 (3-2770 from any Campus phone).

The following guidelines apply to emergency conditions on campus. It is not possible to establish procedures for every type of emergency, but these guidelines cover many emergency or hazardous situations. Please review them frequently so that you will be prepared in an emergency.

FIRE ALARMS - If you hear a fire alarm, you must leave the building immediately. In multi-story buildings, do not use the elevator; exit via the stairway. Cooperate with all staff members and other authorities. Do not reenter the building until you are given permission to do so by a police officer, fire fighter or staff member.

BOMB THREATS - Notify the police at once by dialing if you receive a bomb threat call 771-2770 (3-2770 from any Campus phone). Try to be as specific as possible when relaying what the caller said.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - For any situation requiring emergency medical assistance on campus, call 771-2770 (3-2770 from any Campus phone).

MOTOR VEHICLE AND BICYCLE ACCIDENTS - State statutes require that the police be notified of any motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury or property damage in excess of $500.00. Accidents on campus should be reported to the SUBR Police Department at 771-2770 (3-2770 from any Campus phone)
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NON-EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
The SUBR Police Department 771-2770
Baton Rouge City Police Department 389-3800
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department 389-5000


SUBR Police Department
William L. Pass Station
B.A. Little Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Email: police@subr.edu
Phone: 225/771-2770
Administrative Fax: 225/771-2770


EMERGENCY NUMBERS
SUBR Police Department 771-2770
SUBR CrimeStoppers 771-3784
Baton Rouge City Police 911
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff 911
Baton Rouge Fire Department 911