Car | Keys | Doors | Money | Personal Safety | Valuables | Strangers and People

"Crime prevention is the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce the risk."

Each year here at Michigan Tech, many crimes occur which may have been prevented if the victim had taken some simple measures to help protect himself. Listed here are some tips which you can use to help protect yourself from becoming a victim. There is no way to guarantee that you will not be victimized. However, recognizing that risk exists, and taking preventative measures to help alleviate that risk will greatly reduce your exposure to a criminal looking for an easy opportunity. The mission of the Crime Prevention Office and the Department of Public Safety is to create a safe and secure environment in which all members of the campus community can safely study, work, and live. That mission will be accomplished if we all do our part in the crime prevention effort.

• When moving in or out of your residence hall, keep your car locked and know who is helping you.
• When leaving for a holiday or vacation, do not pack your car the night before. It only makes a more attractive target for a thief.
• Keep your car locked at all times. Avoid leaving property in the vehicle where it can be seen. Engrave the battery, wheel covers, and stereo. Park in a well-lighted lot or area whenever possible.

• Do not lend or duplicate your keys.
• Report lost or stolen keys immediately. A lost or stolen key makes your property and that or your roommate's vulnerable to theft.
• Keep your car keys on a separate ring from your room key. Do not put your name or address on your key rings.

• Lock your door whenever you leave your room, regardless of the length of time you plan to be gone. A surprising number of thefts occur while the resident is on the same floor. It only takes a few seconds for someone to enter your room and steal your valuables.
• Lock your room when you are asleep
• Report all doors, locks, or windows in need of repair to residence hall staff or maintenance personnel.
• Never prop locked or latched doors. If you find a door propped open, unprop it.

• Don't keep a large amount of cash. Use traveller's checks and open a bank account as soon as possible.
• If checks or credit cards are stolen, report the theft to Public Safety and the bank immediately.
• Always keep your checkbook with you. Also, be sure to hide the box of unused checks.
• Do not keep money, purses, wallets or jewelry lying out. Keep them out of sight.

• Do not leave notes on your door announcing that no one is home.
• Do not place decals on your door announcing your name.
• Require identification and authorization from repair or maintenance men waiting to enter your room.
• If you live on the first floor of your building, be careful about leaving windows open, especially when you leave the room.
• On campus at night, walk only in well lighted areas. Walk with a friend whenever possible. Don't cut through. The shortest route is not always the safest. Know the locations of the campus emergency phones. If you have any concerns or apprehensions about your safety and security, use the campus escort service.
• If you receive annoying or obscene phone calls, hang up the phone immediately. Record the time, what was said, and any special sounds or characteristics. Notify the housing staff and Public Safety.

• Mark all clothing in a place other than the label with a laundry pencil or needle and thread. When using laundry facilities in your building, if at all possible, do not leave your clothing unattended.
• Engrave your valuable items with your drivers license number or Tech ID number and keep a record of all valuables, their descriptions and serial numbers.
• If you have a bicycle, secure it at all times. Buy a good lock and lock your bicycle to a bicycle rack whenever possible. Record serial and model numbers and the value of your bicycle. Engrave the bicycle with your drivers license number or Tech ID number.
• You may not realize it, but your backpack and its contents can easily be worth in excess of $500 when fully loaded. Don't leave your bag unattended, even for a minute.

• Be mindful of visitors in your room. Do not take in overnight guests you do not know.
• Get acquainted with the other student residents on your floor as soon as possible. This will make it possible for you to know who belongs there and who doesn't.
• Do not allow entry in to your building to people you do not know. Refer strangers to the hall staff.
• Report suspicious persons in your building to housing staff or Public Safety immediately.
• Always escort guests in and out of the building. If you are hosting a group, keep tabs on everyone.

Copyright © 2007 by Department of Public Safety, MTU. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

Last updated: April 17, 2007.

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