COUGAR WALK

Avoid walking or jogging alone. Never walk alone after dark and if you must, use the Cougar Walk program by calling 321-6400/359-7571 between 7:00(pm) & 4:00(am) (7 days a week) and a Campus Security officer will accompany you to your destination on campus.

RESIDENCE HALL LIVING

• Lock your door when ever you leave (even for a short time). Always lock your door when resting or sleeping.
• Do not leave your wallet, purse, credit cards, cash, checkbook, or other valuables in the open.
• Never prop open exterior doors. If you see a door propped, close it.
• Never allow people you do not know to “tailgate” behind you into the building! Every person who is authorized to be in your building should have either card access or a key. Politely tell them that you cannot allow them in and that they need to contact a RD or RA on duty. If they follow you anyway, call USF Security @ 321-6400 or contact your RD immediately.
• Never loan your student ID card to anyone. If you misplace it, report it to student services immediately.
• Never leave your laptop computer, textbooks, cell-phone, book bag, purse or other valuables unattended or out of your sight in common areas.
• Record the serial numbers of valuable objects you have in your room and give this information to your family (do not use your social security #).
• If you see a suspicious person or someone you don’t believe should be in or around the building call USF Security or the police immediately.
• If you are awakened by an intruder inside your room, do not attempt to apprehend the suspect; but a get description and call 911 immediately.

OFF-CAMPUS LIVING

• Lock your windows and secure sliding glass doors by placing a piece of wood in the track to prevent it from opening.
• If your doors do not already have one, ask your landlord for a deadbolt lock.
• Have a peep-hole installed
• Make sure your building has outside lighting.
• Become acquainted with your neighbors. Know who belongs in your building.
• When you are away from your residence, leave your interior lights on.  Use a timer if you will be gone for more that one day.
• Don’t hide a spare key outside your door, under the doormat, in the mailbox, or over the door. Thief knows where to look.
• If you see a suspicious person, call 911
  
  
  

SAFETY WHILE WALKING OR JOGGING

• Avoid walking or jogging alone.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you can be expected to return
• Always walk or jog in a familiar area and use a well-lit path. Avoid dark or vacant areas.
• Know the location of Emergency Telephones along your route.
• Carry a whistle to use to summon help if needed.
• Know your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction; go to the other side of the street, and yell or whistle for help; or run to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.
• If you exercise outdoors on a regular basis, vary your route and schedule.
• Have your access card or keys ready when returning to your residence hall or apartment.
• Try not to overload yourself with packages or other items. Keep your hands as free as possible.
• If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body, preferably in front.
• If you are confronted by a thief, DO NOT RESIST. Give what the thief wants and try a get a detailed description and call 911 immediately.

Participate in USF self-defense classes offered during the school year. See bulletins or e-mail messages for dates and times.

DRIVING/PARKING

• Carry your keys when approaching your vehicle so you can enter quickly. If you see someone loitering near your car, don’t stop; walk to an area where there are other people. If you use a keyless entry remote, do not unlock your doors until you can see your vehicle.
• Try not to walk close to other parked vehicles and stay in the center of the access way. Try to walk against the direction of traffic.
• Plan your route and try not to travel alone.
• Travel and park on well-lighted streets and don’t drive in unfamiliar areas.
• Keep your doors locked and windows closed.
• Keep packages, purse, etc., on the floor rather that on the seat where they are easy to see.
• If you are involved in a minor traffic accident, call 911 and wait for the officer to arrive before getting out and looking at the damage and talking to the other driver.
• Be extra cautious if someone approaches your car to ask for information. If you must talk to that person, do so with the window rolled down just enough to speak with that person and keep your doors locked.
• Be alert when waiting in line at drive-through windows and ATM’s
• When returning home at night, call ahead and ask someone to watch for you while you are walking from you car to the door.
• If you are stranded in your car, stay in the vehicle and keep your doors locked until the police arrive. If someone offers to help, stay in your vehicle and ask them to call the police if you don’t have a cell phone.

CLASSROOM & OFFICE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS

• Make sure to close and lock doors and windows if you are the last to leave.
• Turn off all lights.
• Report any type of suspicious activity to Campus Security 321-6400/331-6591
• Do not leave items in the open that contain your personnel information (driver’s license, credit card, student ID, checks).
• If a situation does occur and the police are notified, get as much detailed information as possible.
• If you are leaving late try not to walk alone. Walk with a classmate or co-worker or you may call Campus Security @ 321-6400. (7pm-2am).
  
  
  

PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS

• Do not give your name and address to strangers
• Do not give out personal information over the telephone to people you do not know ( SS#,credit card #’s, driver license,address,etc)
• When leaving your residence hall, campus, etc let someone know where you are going.
• Walk with a friend. It is less likely that something would happen if there were two of you
• Never walk alone at night. USF Campus Security offers a safe walk service, which provides you with the assurance of safe travel on campus.
• Have your key ready to open you car doors, especially at night. Your keys can be a defensive weapon.
• Look inside your car before entering; also check the vehicle for a possible break-in. Assailants sometimes hide in the back seat of a vehicle.
• Personal property should never be left unattended, even it is only for a few minutes. Remember, take it with you or lock it up. Take your books and book bags to your table when you go to eat.
• Always make sure that the office or classroom door is locked if you should be working or studying late. Remember, never prop open any door.
  
  
  

WORK PLACE SAFETY

• Always lock your door when you leave your office.
• Never prop open a locked door.
• Never leave your valuables such as wallet, purse or jewelry lying on your desk.
• Notify Campus Security if you are aware of any situation that may result in violence or any type of harassment.
• On Harassing phone calls:
       Hang up as soon as you realize the nature of the call
       Pay attention to any details that can ID the caller.
       Keep a log of calls received.
       Use *69 or caller ID to see if you can determine the caller’s phone number.
• Keep a list of 800 numbers for reporting stolen credit cards.

VEHICLE SAFETY

Vehicles in parking lots always present a target for thieves. In fact, over one million vehicles are stolen in the U.S. each year.

• Lock your vehicle and pocket the keys. Nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen had the keys in them.
• If you use a self-service gasoline station or convenience store, don’t leave the keys in the vehicle when you go inside to pay.
• Whenever possible, park in well-lighted and busy areas.
•  Never hide a second set of keys in the vehicle. Extra keys can easily be found if the thief takes the time to look.
• If possible, avoid parking next to vans, pick-ups, and other large vehicles. They can “hide” your vehicle and make it more difficult for others to observe.
• On cold mornings, never leave your motor vehicle unattended while running it to warm it up.
• Periodically check your license plates to make sure they haven’t been stolen or the renewal tag removed.
• Do not leave expensive property such as CD cases, purses, cell-phones, and portable stereos in plain view in your vehicle. Lock them in your trunk, or take them into your residence.
• Record the brands, model numbers, and serial numbers of all electronic equipment installed in your vehicle. In the event of theft, give this information to Campus Security and the police.
• If your vehicle has expensive stereo equipment, consider investing in a vehicle alarm. If you have an alarm, use it