By Jessica Miller, Staff Writer
Alleged reports of sexual assaults at the University of Tampa campus have made other campuses in middle Florida nervous and on edge about possible crimes happening to or near them. Saint leo has been often noted as one of the safest campuses in Florida, but how true is that?
The Operations Sergeant Mike D’ Ambrosio who has been working with Campus Security for the past four years, said, “Stay Alert!”
Students are not the only ones that need to watch out for dangers. Everyone is affected at any time and at any location. It is true that there are some safer places than others, but no matter the place, time, or group, the safety precautions one can take are the same in every situation. Bringing it into specifics though, Campus Security offers some quick tips that can help to prevent crimes in the future, and statistics to look upon crimes past. Here is a list of safety tips to make habitual:
- “Stay Alert”
- Observe the situation. Keep in mind the location and the people close by. Ask questions. Is this normal behavior? Could this lead to trouble? Use common sense to explore what areas and people are suspicious.
- “Go Toward The Light”
- Just because the University is a place of academics and learning, criminal activity occurs every day. Keep this in mind while moving around the campus. If a place looks dark or makes one feel uncomfortable, do not go there. It is better to be safe than sorry. Chose an alternative route, and “go toward the light.”
- “Have An Accountability Partner”
- Numerous people feel that having an accountability partner means having someone that will travel everywhere one goes; however, it means to have at least one person know about where one is going, when they are going, who they will be with, and when they are coming back. It may seem like a hassle, but just telling a friend or family member these details can be helpful in the long run, and it only takes a couple minutes.
- “Lock, Take, Hide”
- One of the most common crimes in the world is vehicle burglary. Items or the car are stolen because someone forgets to lock their vehicle or to take their keys. This can be prevented by forming a habit of checking the ignition or pulling on the door handle to check and see if the vehicle is truly locked up. Hide belongings under jackets, a seats, or in the trunk to avoid any unwanted visitors from being tempted to come into the vehicle.
- “Bottle the Buds”
- No, this is not an alcohol reference. This addresses a habit many people have which is wearing ear buds for many hours at a time. Senses are crucial when it comes to staying alert of surroundings. Take at least one ear bud out while running or doing any type of activity.
- “Program Your Phone”
- Every wonder why 911 is 911? Well it is to have a single,and easily remembered number to call for all types of emergencies. With speed dial, people can program their phones to quickly call people that could help in an emergency. These people should be selected in order of contact relationship and availability. It is not going to help to call that friend from high school if they are five states away. Include a family member that knows medical records, a friend that knows one well, or others who embody one or more of the aforementioned things.
- “No Paper, Just Plastic”
- Stuff comes up. And sometimes that stuff involves money. Think twice before heading to the nearest ATM machine for quick cash. Is it really a good time to go? Safety is more important than money. Judge how far the nearest ATM is and time of day it is. If there is a feeling of hesitation, it is more than likely a wise choice to wait until a safer opportunity to get cash. Remember that ATM locations are often the places where the most crimes happen. It might even help to have an accountability partner there to watch while one withdraws.
Even if people make the aforementioned tips habitual, it still does not stop crime from happening, it just lowers the chances. Crimes still happen on University campus. Pick up an Annual Security Report to discover information about what to do in a fire, assault, missing persons and other potential situations. The report comes with a list of numbers and places that can help and what students can do to help after the crime has happened. University students will be happy to find that the report contains many zeros with the highest crimes on the list being “Liquor Law Violations” and “Drug-Related Violations.” It is something to work on, but many people can agree that, even if the University is not the safest college in Florida, it does come pretty close to being so.
Keep these numbers logged into any phones that one may use in case of future emergencies: emergency line – (352) 588-8333; non-emergency line – (352) 588-8432; tip line – (352) 588-7777.
