Robert Thomas

A blue police call box. They are located at various locations on campus for emergency purposes.

Crime occurs everywhere, even on college campuses. Being prepared and aware of your surroundings is extremely important. While walking around campus you never know what can happen to you or the person walking by you. There are several tips and precautions that can substantially decrease your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

• Remember to never walk alone, especially at night, around campus or in the parking lots. People are more likely to be assaulted or harassed when they are alone than when they are accompanied by someone.
• Always be alert by not looking down to your cellphone while walking, do not be distracted, and keep your head up, you never want to be caught by surprise.
• Try to always carry some kind of alarm, like a whistle, in order to grab someone’s attention in case of an emergency.
• If you see any kind of suspicious people, vehicles or activities, report them immediately to the District Police.
• Do not accept rides from strangers on campus, even if you want their parking spot!
• Program the District Police Department’s number into your cellphone, 619-388-6405
• If you are ever a victim of a sexual assault, there is a 24-hour Sexual Assault hotline, 888-272-1767
• Use and become familiar with the callboxes that are directly linked to the District Police which are located around campus.
• If you are ever feeling apprehensive when walking alone to your car at night or for any other safety-related reason, there are Safety Escort Services available 24 hours that are provided by the District Police.
• The San Diego Community College Police Department provides a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques called Rape Aggression Defense System. It is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance and progresses on to the basics of hands-on defense training. For more information about the RAD Team, you can contact them to 619-388-2749.

These are just some tips on how you can be safe on campus. Your involvement is essential to the prevention of crime on campus, whether it is for yourself or someone else. Remember that unreported crimes cannot be solved. It is important that you provide as much information as possible to the District Police. Assault is not your fault.