In case of an
EMERGENCY
Call 9-1-1
for non-emergencies, call
206-685-UWPD (8973)

Crime Prevention

CRIME PREVENTION SAFETY TIPS

Parking Lot Safety Tips

• Walk to your vehicle in pairs or in a group.
• Follow a well-lit pathway or roadway when walking to your vehicle.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for suspicious people and or activities as you are walking to your vehicle.
• Use the Night Ride shuttle service 206-685-3146 and or the Hospital Security Officers escort service 206-598-4082.
• Be aware of the locations of all emergency telephones on campus code blue phones and emergency call boxes. Use them if you are concerned or feel your safety is in jeopardy.
• When you enter your vehicle, lock all the doors and turn on your headlights. This will allow you to see anyone outside in the dark.
• If you are unfamiliar with the parking lot, drive through it and check it first. If you don’t feel safe go elsewhere and park in a location where you feel comfortable.
• Have your keys in your hand so that you don’t have to search for them when you reach your vehicle.
• If you know that you will be returning to your vehicle when it’s dark outside, park in the parking lots that are well-lit.
• Visually inspect the inside of your vehicle before entering it to make sure that no one has entered it.
• Report any suspicious activity to the UW Police Department.

Vehicle Safety Tips

• Lock your vehicle every time you leave it. Make it a habit. A criminal will always use the easiest way into a vehicle.
• Don’t leave your windows rolled down, not even a crack. A criminal will use the window to force his way into the car, so don’t give him that advantage.
• Many crimes at U.W. target vehicles in parking lots. Don’t leave vital information in your car. Your registration and insurance cards contain personal home information that allows a criminal to then target your home.  Carry them in your wallet or your purse. If a thief obtains this information it may lead to I.D. Theft.
• Park your vehicle in well lit areas. Criminals don’t like to be seen. Parking under or near a light standard will improve other people’s view of your car.  It also improves your personal safety.
• Mark your valuables with a personal number. If personal property is stolen from your vehicle, a number or marking (such as a driver’s license number) will help the police trace the item back to you.  Make sure the mark is permanently affixed, so the criminal cannot erase it. Never use your social security number as a personal number to engrave into your property.
• Don’t leave valuables in view for a thief. The famous saying, “out of sight, out of mind” is applicable here.  If the criminal can’t see it, he can’t steal it.  Take valuables with you or put them in your trunk. Do not put them in the glove box or under your seat, as that is the first place a criminal will look.
• Affix your parking permit to your windshield. Parking permits are one of the most popular items stolen at Colleges and Universities.  Make it more difficult to steal by sticking it to your windshield.
• Invest in a car alarm. A criminal does not like to be seen. Calling attention to your vehicle, if something is wrong, will deter a thief from attempting anything further.
• If you see a suspicious person in your building, ask if you can help them. If the person has legitimate business in the building, he or she will appreciate your prepared to describe the person when you call.

Suspicious Person Behaviors

Suspicious people are people you do not recognize that you see:

• Entering rooms, offices, and labs, with no apparent business there.
• Tampering with door locks, windows, bicycles, and vehicles.
• Working on bicycles still locked up for a long period of time.
• Appearing to be scared, nervous or anxious.
• Looking inside of windows.
• Waiting outside near building entrances during the opening and or closing hours.
• Carrying weapons such as knives and or guns.
• Hanging out in restrooms for a long period of time.
• Lingering in hallways for a long period of time.
• Refusing help.
• Sleeping on chairs, furniture or the floor. (Use discretion during exams).

Personal Safety Tips

• At night, try to stay in well-lit areas and use routes that appear more heavily traveled
• Carry a safety whistle. Whistles are available at no cost from UWPD. If you are in trouble, you can simply blow your whistle to attract attention. If you hear a whistle being blown, immediately call 9-1-1 to report the location of the incident.
• Avoid walking alone through isolated areas such as: shortcuts through parking lots and deserted parks. Use the buddy system.
• Familiarize yourself with the Campus Safety shuttle service and use it when you feel uncomfortable walking alone. Night Ride 206-685-3146
• Familiarize yourself with the locations of the campus’ Code Blue Emergency telephones and the yellow emergency call boxes located in the parking garages. The emergency telephones are located on the university campus maps.
• Be aware of what is going on around you. If you suspect you are being followed, indicate your suspicion by looking behind you. If you are on foot, cross the street, change directions and head to a well-lit area or a place with people as soon as possible such as: a residence or academic building.
• Follow your gut instincts; if your intuition tells you that you are at risk, try to leave the situation quickly.  For example, if you see someone suspicious in a parking lot, building or anywhere on campus leave the area and call the UW Police at 911 from any campus phone. 9-1-1 calls from pay phones are free.
• If you enter an elevator and the person riding with you is making you uncomfortable, leave.  Get off before the door closes and or leave at the next floor.
• Use the buddy system; when with a friend at a party and or when you are walking through campus at night, agree to watch out for each other and to leave the event together or in a group.
• Should you become a victim of a crime, call the police as soon as you safely can.

Bike Safety Tips

• Never leave your bike unlocked even for a minute. Take your time to make sure that your bike is properly secured.
• Don’t park your bike in the same location all the time. Don’t allow thieves to target your bike. Thieves prefer that you park in dark less-traveled areas.
• Register your bike with the UW Police Department. Registered bikes can improve the chances of it being recovered. Visit our web-site at www.washington.edu/admin/police/prevention/bikereg.html and click on the link for bike registration to register your bike.
• Use a U-Lock instead of a cable lock. The U-Locks are solid steel and are very hard to cut. The cable locks are easily cut with cutting devices because they are not solid steel. If you prefer to have a lock that is flexible like the cable lock, make sure that it is 3/8 in diameter and solid steel. Remember two locks are better than one.
• Consider the cost of your bike when looking for a lock. It is recommended that you spend about 10% of what you paid for your bike for a lock.
• Always secure your bike to a bike rack or solid object.
• Remember that locks are only a deterrent.
• Report all suspicious people loitering around the bike racks.

Resident Hall Safety Tips

• Remember that the residence halls are restricted to the students who live there and their visitors only, so don’t allow strangers to enter behind you.
• Never give out your residence hall neighbor’s personal information to a stranger who is asking where they live. A stranger or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend may try to obtain the whereabouts of a person to harm them. A stranger is a person you do not recognize.
• Lock your doors at all times even when you are just going next door to visit a friend or to the bathroom. Most thefts occur within a minute. Unlocked doors are a favorite target for thieves.
• Lock your doors while you are inside for personal safety. Be aware of who is at your door. Use your peep hole if you have one to observe the person at your door. If you don’t recognize them you should not open the door. Have them leave any information they have at your door and you retrieve when you feel safe.
• Do not tamper with your door locking mechanisms. Never use any object(s) to prevent your dorm room door from closing and/or locking e.g. trash cans to prop doors open or tape to keep the door from locking.
• Never leave entry/exit doors propped open. Propped doors could allow an unauthorized person to gain entry into your residence hall or dorm room.
• Lock your windows while you are away, especially if you live on the ground floor. Keep blinds closed to avoid advertising your life.
• Report lost or stolen resident hall keys immediately.
• Get to know your residence hall neighbors on your floor and on the other floors. This will make it easier to identify a stranger lurking around inside of your hall.
• Avoid leaving messages on your door advertising your departure or arrival times to alert thieves of your absence. Also consider removing your name if it is posted on your door.
• Temporarily stop daily deliveries to your door when you are away and ask a dorm neighbor to pick up any items that may arrive unexpectedly at your door.
• Report all suspicious people and/or activity to the UW Police Department. Dial 9-1-1 from any campus phone. 9-1-1 calls from pay phones are free.

Laptop Theft Safety Tips

• Try not to leave your laptop in a vehicle, if you must, secure it in the trunk of your vehicle and covered up.
• Don't leave a meeting or conference room without your laptop. Take it with you, or it may not be there when you return.
• Lock your laptop in your office or work area after hours. Or put the laptop in a locked closet or cabinet.
• Require all visitors at your department to sign-in before allowing them into your work area.
• Consider installing a theft recovery tracing device on your PC, so if it’s lost or stolen you have a greater chance of getting it back.
• Never carry your laptop in an obvious laptop bag or carrying case. These are immediate flags for would be thieves.
• Never leave your laptop unattended, even for a moment.
• Purchase Insurance coverage for your laptop.
• Secure your laptop with a security cable. 
• Be certain to back up all important data daily. Remember the hardest thing to replace when a laptop is stolen is the lost data.
• Protect the data and access of the computer with strong password and or a hardware key device.  Hardware key products include fingerprint Identification devices or other access control devices that plug into the USB port.
• Register your electronics e.g.; laptop with UW Police Department at www.washington.edu/admin/police/prevention/electronic_reg.html

Identity Theft Precautions

• “Opt Out” of receiving pre-screened credit card offers by calling 1-888-567-8688
• Order a copy of your credit report frequently ( www.annualcreditreport.com)
• Remove your name from mailing, telephone, and email solicitation lists.

Mailing / Telephone Solicitation: Mail Preference Service OR Telephone Preference Service

Attn: Preference Service Manager

Direct Marketing Association

P.O. Box 3079

Grand Central Station, NY 10163

 

National Do-not-call registry: www.donotcall.gov . By telephone, call 1-888-382-1222

(Home & Cell phone numbers)

 

Pre-approved credit cards: Call toll-free 1-888-567-8688 (will be requested to provide SS # for processing)

To file a complaint about suspected violations, email fccinfo@fcc.gov, or call 1-888-225-5322.

• Place a continuous credit “fraud alert” on your credit report
• Get a locking mailbox for incoming mail and use a USPS drop box for outgoing.
• Place a hold on your mail when going on vacation.
• Have banking checks mailed to your financial institution
• Keep a list of all your account numbers and the telephone numbers in case of loss/theft.

If you are a victim of Identity Theft

• Call police and file a report. Get a copy for your records and to submit as proof to all other creditors
• Contact all creditors/banks/ credit reporting agencies
• Complete an I.D. Theft Affidavit
• Close all affected accounts. Request that they indicate “closed at consumer’s request”
• Place a “fraud alert” on your credit report which requires creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts.
• Stop payment on outstanding checks
• Request new ATM/credit cards
• Change all passwords and PINS
• Contact your Postal Inspection Service if you believe your mail had been tampered with.
• Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of the crime. Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents.
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name.

Resources

FBI : www.fbi.gov Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-IDTHEFT, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

IRS: www.treas.gov/irs/ci Washington State Attorney General’s Office: 1-800-551-4636

USPS: www.usps.gov SS Admin: 1-800-269-0271; www.ssa.gov

DEPT OF EDUCATION: Free link to educate yourself on ID Theft (www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/misused/idtheft)

3 Major Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com, Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com, TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com