Sept. 26, 2014

Campus safety statement

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From: Ray Boyer, NDSU Director of University Police and Safety Office

The university would like to continue to provide assurance to the campus community of our ongoing commitment to personal safety and security on the NDSU campus.

With more than 30 years of personal knowledge of the safety and security at NDSU, this is the first incident of this nature, and believed to be the first ever.  We have always found our campus to be safe and secure, with consistently low numbers of crimes reported. NDSU has 17 police officers and two public safety officers who patrol and secure buildings on the main campus and the downtown facilities 24 hours a day.

As part of our annual notification to all of our students and employees of your personal safety and security on our campus, on September 16, 2014, NDSU announced the accessibility of the 2014-2015 PERSONAL SAFETY + SECURITY: Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report. 

The focus of this report includes the most recent three years of crime statistics, as well as information to assist you in your personal safety and security. The report is available under the ‘A’ alpha listing on the NDSU web site for Annual Security Report, or at the following link: http://www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/police/annualsecurityreport/.  A hard copy can be obtained from the University Police and Safety Office on the NDSU campus, or by calling the 24/7 University Police Communications Call Center at 701-231-8998. 

Students are also encouraged to walk with others on and off campus at night. On-campus police escorts are available 24/7 by calling University Police at 701-231-8998.  

The focus now is to provide services to our students and employees to support their needs during this difficult period. We remind everyone of the availability of services through the NDSU Counseling Center for our students, and for employees through the Village Employee Assistance Program.

Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and campus community during this time of grieving on the loss of Thomas Bearson.

Please share this message with interested friends and family.

From NDSU’s Annual Security Report

Crime prevention: Follow the steps below to help reduce your risk of being victimized.

  • Lock your door whenever you leave your room for any length of time or when you are sleeping. Always lock all car doors.
  • Never prop open any door.
  • Protect all valuables in your room and your vehicle. Do not leave valuables like wallets, jewelry, credit cards, cash and computers in plain view.
  • Do not loan your keys to anyone.
  • Never hide your keys outside of your apartment or room. Do not put your name or address on your keys.
  • Take all valuable items home with you during vacations.
  • In public places, keep your valuable items out of sight or in a safe place. If you leave an area for any length of time, take personal items with you.
  • Protect your valuables.

BLUE LIGHT EMERGENCY PHONES

NDSU, in cooperation with Student Government, has purchased and installed a number of emergency phones around campus (see map on back of last page). These units are blue metal columns with strobe lights at the top and emergency buttons that give direct phone connections to University Police. Most of these units also will allow users to place short-duration personal phone calls. Press the “Call” button for dial tone then dial as you would using any other campus phone. If you have questions, call University Police at 231-8998.

STEPS TO AID IN YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY

At home, in a building or in the residence halls

  • Stay sober. Many crimes against persons occur when one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs.
  • Keep your room door locked when you are sleeping or napping.
  • Never let unauthorized persons enter your room, residence hall or apartment security doors. Report any suspicious activity to University Police immediately.
  • Never prop open inside or outside doors.
  • Do not hide keys outside of your room or apartment. Do not put your name or address on your keys.
  • Avoid working or studying alone in a campus building.
  • Never dress in front of a window. Draw blinds or curtains after dark.
  • If you are awakened by an intruder inside your room, do not attempt to apprehend the intruder (you may want to pretend you are sleeping until the intruder leaves). Try to get an accurate description of the intruder and call University Police immediately.
  • Be careful what personal information you share on the Internet.

When driving

  • When approaching your vehicle, carry your keys so you can enter quickly.
  • Lock your doors and keep windows rolled up whenever possible. Always check the rear seat for intruders before entering your vehicle.
  • Drive on well-traveled and well-lit streets.
  • Never hitchhike and never pick up hitchhikers.
  • If someone tries to enter your stopped vehicle, sound the horn and drive away.
  • If your vehicle breaks down, raise the hood and wait in your locked car for help.
  • Be aware that an accident may be staged to provide the other driver with an opportunity to commit a criminal act.
  • Leave enough room between your car and the one ahead so you can drive around it if necessary.

While walking or jogging

  • Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially after dark. If you must travel alone at night, use the NDSU Escort Service (231-8998) to escort you to your on-campus destination or to locations near campus.
  • Avoid dark or vacant campus areas. Walk along well-lit routes.
  • Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction, go to the other side of the street and yell for help, or head quickly for a lighted area or a group of people.
  • Have your keys or ID card ready when returning to your residence hall or apartment and keep your personal or valuable items concealed and close to your body. 
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