Crime Prevention for Residents
Theft, usually a crime of opportunity, is by far the most common crime in residence halls, and one that can be prevented. Thefts are most often committed by persons you or your roommates allow into your residence.
More important than any item of property is your personal safety. The chances of physical attack can be greatly reduced by taking simple precautions and by being alert when walking around the campus.
Things to do:
- Leave valuables, particularly small items of value, at home if it is not necessary to have them at your campus residence.
- Keep your door locked even when you're leaving for "just a moment."
- Always keep the door locked when you are alone in your residence hall room.
- Don’t investigate a suspicious noise or person by yourself, call the University Police Department to report suspicious persons.
- Engrave your property with an identification number.
- Use a safe property handout to record the make, model, and serial number of valuables and keep the records in a safe place. Should you have property stolen; this information will help provide the greatest chance of catching the thief and getting your property returned.
- Report lost room keys or I-Cards to housing staff immediately.
Do not:
- Allow strangers or hold large gatherings in your residence. It is easy for someone to steal small items without being noticed.
- Prop open exterior building doors or violate guest policies. You are jeopardizing others' safety, as well as your own.
- Never admit an uninvited nonresident into the building.
- Do not let strangers enter the building by tailgating you.
Do Your Part for Residence Hall Safety
Ways to preserve the safety of your hall:
- Get to know your neighbors.
- Lock your doors every time you leave, no matter how long you plan to be gone.
- Don’t leave exterior doors propped open when locked.
- Don’t let suspicious people into the halls.
- Report any suspicious activity to the front desk or hall staff.
- Don’t tamper with fire extinguishers or alarm systems.
- Don’t allow people to follow you into the hall after you unlock the door.
- Keep your I-Card with you at all times for identification.
- Never admit an uninvited nonresident into the building. Do not let strangers enter the building by tailgating you.
- Keep a list of important emergency numbers with you.
Tailgating
Tailgating to gain entry to any residential facility is prohibited. The term “tailgating” is used to describe the situation where one or more people follow an authorized person through an access-controlled door when the authorized person opens the door legitimately. This can be done either with or without the authorized person’s knowledge and/or consent.
Never admit an uninvited nonresident into the building. Do not let strangers enter the building by tailgating you.
Emergency Kit
While the university plans for emergency situations, all faculty staff and students, should plan for taking care of their own needs—as it relates to possible evacuation and closure of campus. All individuals and their families should prepare a basic emergency supply kit.
The kit should include the following:
- Water
- Non perishable food
- Battery powered radio, with extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Dust mask (to filter dust, contaminants and germs)
- Personal sanitation products
- Local and regional maps
- Additional cash or travelers checks
- Sleeping bag or additional blankets
- Important family documents, copies of insurance cards, identification (held in a waterproof container)
This list is only part of the government-suggested items, for a full list, please visit www.ready.gov/america/getakit/.
Important Phone Numbers
Emergency 9-911 (on campus); 911 (off campus)
University Police (Non-Emergency Phone Number): 333-1216
Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 384-4390
SafeWalks: 333-1216
MTD SafeRides: 217-265-RIDE (7433)
Rape Crisis Line: 355-5203
Mental Health Crisis Line: 359-4141
Emergency Dean/Dean of Students: 217-333-0050
Campus Parking: 333-3530
University of Illinois Information: 333-1000
McKinley Dial-A-Nurse: 333-2700
MTD Bus Hotline: 384-8188
Crimestoppers Program (anonymous): 217-373-TIPS (8477)
What Are SafeWalks?
SafeWalks is a courtesy service provided to University of Illinois students, faculty, or staff, so that they do not have to walk alone within the campus area. People who are interested in a SafeWalk should contact the University of Illinois Police Student Patrol during their operating hours (9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Friday or Saturday). Please give at least 20 minutes notice for the SafeWalk.
Contact numbers: 217-333-1216 or press an emergency phone button and wait for the dispatcher.
Personal Safety Tips
- Do not allow the opportunity for a crime to occur - avoid placing yourself in environments where criminals will have the opportunity to commit a personal crime.
- Always keep your doors and windows locked.
- If possible, let a friend or roommate know where and with whom you'll be and when you'll be back when you go out.
- Trust your instincts - if you feel uncomfortable about someone near you on the street, in an elevator, or getting off a bus, head for a populated place or yell for help.
- Use well-lit and busy sidewalks.
- Never walk alone at night. Take advantage of campus transportation. Always walk in groups and maintain an alert and confident manner, actively paying attention to your surroundings.
- Avoid walking alone or walking near vacant lots, alleys, construction sites, and wooded areas.
- Learn the locations of emergency phones on campus.
- Carry a cell phone, whistle, or a personal alarm to alert people that you need help.
- In an elevator, stand near the controls; if you feel threatened, hit the alarm and as many floor buttons as you can.
- When you're on a bus, sit as near the driver as possible.
- Try to park in an area that will be well-lit and heavily traveled when you return.
- Lock your car doors and roll up the windows completely - even if you're only running a quick errand.
- Drink responsibly - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol.
- Stay alert at all times and call the police immediately to report suspicious activity.
- Never leave personal property (e.g., book bags, laptop computers, etc.) unattended.
- Put ICE (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone, along with a name and telephone number of a loved one, to enable emergency services personnel to contact your family in the event of an emergency.
- Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) distracts you from being alert to potential safety issues. Unplug yourself and tune in to your immediate environment.
- Utilize crosswalks at all times and obey the signals at intersections when walking. Under Illinois law, as a pedestrian, you DO NOT have the right of way until you establish yourself in the crosswalk. If you are crossing at any location other than a crosswalk, you MUST yield to vehicular traffic.
- When driving, be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists and yield to them when required by law.
- Register your contact information with Illini-Alert (formally “UI Emergency!")‚ at emergency.illinois.edu to receive messages about critical safety issues on campus.
- For more information on crime prevention, emergency preparedness, tornado safety and more, or to submit questions, visit publicsafety.illinois.edu or www.ocep.illinois.edu.
- Keep a list of important emergency numbers with you.
- Remember that online safety is also vital. Be smart about information you post on services like MySpace, Facebook, or other Internet community sites. Don’t post your phone number or address, and be mindful of the possibility of online stalking. Report any suspicious contacts or incidents to the police.