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Crime prevention begins with knowledge. How do criminals operate? You would be surprised to know that they look for opportunity. How can you prevent crime? Find out about those opportunities before the criminals do and modify accordingly. How can I protect myself? You don't necessarily need physical strength agility and speed. What you do need is to be alert, cautious, trust yourself and your friend. If you need to shout, say "FIRE!" It will bring people running more than shouting the word "help" would. Stay in constant communication with your residential college RA and other college authorities, and with your close friends and classmates. We need to take better care of each other and the best way to do that by telling people where we will be, who we work with and what we are doing. That way any suspicious situation can be detected and risks can be lowered. We should also be informed of what we can do to heighten our safety. Remember that there is strength in numbers. LET'S WORK TOGETHER. Do not accept opened or prepared drinks at clubs; instead drink from bottles that are opened right in front of you, because anything else might contain drugs. Never go alone; always go in groups. Preventive police and security guards will always make their best effort to protect you, but they can't be in all places at all times. That's why it's important for each person to take responsibility for their own safety.
- Don't mention your travel plans in public.
- Take precautions in airports and bus stations. Do not leave your luggage unattended. Make sure your luggage is locked and leave an ID inside each piece of luggage. Take the least amount of cash that you can and use traveler’s checks and credit cards instead.
- Don't make it obvious that no one is home.
- Install Caller ID. If your phone number appears in the phone book, change it to a private number. Don't give out personal information by telephone such as your name, address or place of work. If you have an answering machine, use it to filter undesirable calls. Don't believe calls that promise prizes or free trips, or magazines that advertise by phone. Be aware when talking on your cell phone because anybody can access your line and listen in on your conversation, even without you knowing it. If it's important, do it in person.
- Memorize this emergency phone number for campus security: (01 – 222) 229 – 2222.
- Try not to be out on the street at night time unaccompanied. When you have to go out, avoid flashy and provocative attire. Women should avoid very short skirts, excessive cleavage or extremely tight clothes. Don't wear flashy or expensive jewelry. Avoid sparsely populated or uninhabited areas. A shortcut might save you time but it also exposes you to danger. Whenever possible, leave your purse or handbag behind: if somebody tries to grab it you could be thrown to the ground and hurt. Only take as much cash with you as you need.
- Don't tell strangers personal things about yourself, not even when you are with friends.
- Walk at a brisk pace, making sure that your steps are firm and confident, Keep your head held high and avoid looking down. Show confidence! If you need to walk at night, choose well lit streets and walk in the center if possible. Stay away from doors and windows. Don't use earbuds because you won't be able to hear what is happening around you.
- If you notice that you are being followed, cross the street and get ahead of people who are walking on that side of the street; enter any store or public place. If the person who is following you also enters, make a scene. Ask for help inside the store, whether it be from a clerk or another shopper. Don't stay by yourself; get help!
- If there is no business establishment that you can enter, make noise with a whistle or anything that makes a loud noise. This will attract the attention of other people, distracting your attacker momentarily and giving you an opportunity to flee.
- If you must walk with the flow of vehicular traffic, do not come too close to the cars. That way you will prevent your purse or briefcase from being snatched or from being forced to enter a car.
- When you park your car, make sure that the windows are closed, that no valuables are inside, that the doors are locked and that the electronic alarm is activated. We also recommend you use a steering wheel lock.
- If you are in your classroom, the library or the cafeteria and you need to leave, ask a friend to watch your things. If you have a lap top computer, use a security cable to lock your computer.
- Don't be naïve or too trusting. Not everybody is like you.
- If you are being attacked, your goal is to get away unharmed. Remember, your action and reaction is to escape and survive.
- Carefully observe your surroundings. Is there any place where you can get help? What mental state is your attacker in?
- Be realistic about your own ability to defend yourself. An immediate reaction like shouting, hitting or biting might provide an opportunity to escape, but it also may make your attacker angry, resulting in greater harm to you. If your life is in danger, passive resistance such as vomiting or urinating might be a better defense. Call attention to yourself by pounding, whistling or shouting. Run, kick, bite; do anything immediately. Stay alert, listen and observe carefully so that you can make the best decision and obtain important evidence for later on.
- Hand over your valuables if your attacker is only trying to steal from you. You can always replace your valuables but not your life. Go to the police immediately and to the doctor if necessary.
- Preserve evidence if you have been sexually attacked: do not bathe, shower or change your clothing. Remember what time you were attacked; what your attackers looked like, how tall they were, their body shape (thin, fat, etc.), what clothing they were wearing, what their voice sounded like, what the color of their skin was, any scars or other distinguishing marks, and hair color. Also, remember the car model and color, and especially the license plate number.
Whenever possible use taxi stands or request a taxi by phone. Do not get into the car if the taxi driver seems suspicious or does not have an ID card with photographs in plain sight. Once inside the car close and lock the doors, and raise the windows. If the driver talks to you, do not say anything personal about yourself. Stick to trivial topics such as the weather and traffic. If the driver changes the routes without a good reason, ask to get out. If the driver refuses to return to the agreed-upon route and does not allow you to get out, do not insist. However, at the first traffic light or stop sign get out of the car and run away, asking for help. If your final destination is your home, ask the driver to stop where he will not know exactly which house is yours.
- Install a good alarm system with a loud sounding alarm that protects your car from total or partial theft. Install automotive window film to protect side windows.
- Avoid parking your car on the street; use a public parking garage instead.
- If you must leave your car on the street, park it as close as possible to your final destination and make sure that the area is well lit.
- Never leave your keys in the car, not even for a minute. If you are carrying packages, do not leave them in sight. Put them in the trunk.
- Do not leave any documents inside your car where people can see your name, address, telephone number and other personal data. Avoid leaving the registration card in the glove compartment: hide it in another part of the car.
- If you go to a business that provides valet parking, identify the attendant fully before handing over your vehicle. Many times car thieves are disguised as parking attendants.
- Observe the area surrounding your car, making sure no one is hiding behind the vehicles nearby. It would be a good idea to install a remote control that opens the car doors. That way you won't waste time opening the car door with your key and you can get in the car immediately. If you find a piece of paper on your windshield, whether it be a ticket or advertising, don't stop to read it. Just take it and keep on going. Before getting in your car, make sure nobody is hidden in the back seat or on the floor.
- After getting in your car immediately close and lock the doors, keeping the windows rolled up high enough so that nobody can put their hand through.
- Analyze the way the accident happened. Take down the license plate number of the other car and remember the driver’s physical characteristics.
- If you suspect anything, do not get out of the car. Leave the site of the accident and use an alternate route to seek help.
- If possible drive on streets that have some traffic. Just make sure they are not too congested. Drive in the center lane. Don't waste time along the way: go straight from point A to point B.
- Use different routes. When you are constantly changing your routes you will make it more difficult for criminals.
- Never offer a ride to strangers.
- If somebody comes up to you and forces you to take them to your home, try to negotiate with him or her. However, if there is no alternative, treat the person politely and make him or her feel that you are happy to do so. Do not argue; become an ally instead (at least in appearances). If you can't beat them join them.
- If you need directions to a specific street or place, ask for them in a public place.
- Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. This will allow you to make emergency maneuvers, if necessary. Danger! Avoid speeding; it is highly unsafe.
- If you are being followed, do not use your turn signal indicators. That's way your persecutors will not be able to anticipate your moves. Try to hit (carefully!) Another car that is traveling in the same direction as you so that the other car will also followed you and you will attract more attention. Do not travel on narrow streets.
- Use your front lights and the horn to attract attention. When you travel throughout the city, concentrate on what you are doing. Do not drive while distracted. Pay attention to everything that is happening around you. Stay awake! Don't let the next victim be you.
Comment This document does not contain a complete list of all of the safety precautions you can take. Nor are they a one-size-fits-all solution. However, if we get together and create task forces, we can generate new preventive actions that will help ensure our safety and tranquility. We must not be indifferent; we must fight back. We need to combine our intelligence, creativity, efforts, solidarity and resources to protect ourselves from crime and delinquency. Remember that two heads are better than one. It is better to be safe than to be sorry.
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