Personal Safety

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Personal Safety
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Opportunity

• Most crimes are committed because the criminal
  has been given an opportunity

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Personal Safety

• Personal safety is not guaranteed, but with good
  safety habits you can reduce your risk of being
  victimized!

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Street Sense 101- the basic Mindset

• Dont walk alone- Safety in numbers
• If you exercise at night, do so with a friend
• Use the buddy system
• Use SNAP- the nighttime escort service
• Become familiar with Blue Light phones
• Dress for safety
• Walk confidently, Be aware of surroundings

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Street Sense 201- Practical Advice

• Stay on populated, well lighted-streets
• Carry some type of noise maker
• Take a self defense class (RAD)
• Follow your intuition trust your feelings
• If you see something/someone suspicious get away
  and call the police

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In Residence Halls

• Keep doors locked- even if gone for a couple
  of minutes
• Dont let unauthorized people in the building
• Dont prop doors open - jeopardizes everyone
• Report suspicious people or activities to the
  police immediately
• Know the nearest fire escape route

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Residence Halls- Continued

• Always keep your room locked when you are there,
  especially when you are asleep
• Report malfunctioning locks to your R.A.
• Do not invite strangers in the building

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Homes and Apartments

• Use window or peephole to see who is at the door
• Keep doors and windows locked
• Close blinds and shades after dark
• Ask for ID of people who come to your door before
  opening the door
• Develop a routine of who locks up-- look out for
  each other

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Home Apartments- continued

• Have an emergency escape plan
• If you see signs of forced entry leave and call
  the police
• Call in solicitors to the police
• Dont allow unknown people in
• Always be aware of your surroundings

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Thefts on Campus

• Learn to properly secure your property
• Dont leave property in plain view
• Keep track of keys never loan them out
• Register bicycles with UPD
• Register valuables with Operation Identification

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If you are Robbed!!

• Give them what they want nothing is worth your
  life.

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In your Vehicle

• Always be aware of your surroundings, check your
  review mirrors often
• Keep doors locked and windows closed
• Control your keys
• Consider an alarm system
• Store valuables out of sight
• Park in well-lit busy areas

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In your vehicle- continued

• Carry a cell phone
• Service your vehicle regularly
• Never let fuel level get below 1/4 tank
• When traveling let some know where you are going,
  ETA, and what route you are using

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Breakdowns

• Stay in your car if in an isolated area
• Keep windows rolled up/doors locked
• If someone stops to help-ask them to call AAA,
  service station, etc. but dont get out
• If you get out to change a tire be cautious of
  someone stopping to help you

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Bump Ups

• Do not stop
• Do not get out
• Go to the nearest, lighted, populated area
• Try to get a tag number and description of the
  vehicle that hit you

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Do Not Accept Rides or Pick Up Strangers!
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Dating

• Dont give out your phone number get the guys
  phone number instead
• Meet somewhere for the first few dates so you
  have some degree of control
• Consider double dating with a girlfriend who
  already has a boyfriend you trust
• Let your roommate or a friend know what your
  dating plans are when you go out

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Assaults

• If after property- let them have it
• If able to avoid or get away- go toward people
• Know your physical abilities and limitations
• If they say they have a weapon- believe it
• Try to remember a description of the person
• Use the UPD Victim Advocate Program

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If Sexually Assaulted

• Tell someone
• Get medical attention
• Seek counseling whether or not you think you
  need it
• Report the incident to police
• Do not feel guilty- you did nothing wrong

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If a friend is Sexually Assaulted

• Listen- Do not judge
• Give comfort
• Encourage them to get help
• Do not let your emotions get in the way of
  helping a friend

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Party Safety

• Never leave drink unattended
• Never accept drink from anyone but your server at
  a bar
• Attend parties with friends and look out for each
  other
• If you think your drink has been tampered with-
  leave it immediately and go to the hospital
• Control the amount of drinking
• Dont drink and drive- always have a DD

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Now Its Up To You

• Think about your safety
• Plan ahead
• Be sensitive to the safety of others
• Do not give a criminal opportunity

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Brought to you by University of Florida Police
Department

• Community Services Division