Students must remember safety, common sense
You've moved into your dorm and made it through your first week of classes. Now you are ready to explore Atlanta and all it has to offer, right? Perhaps not because you have heard horror stories about crime on and off campus.
Fear not as the Tech campus and Atlanta are great places to live as long as you are careful and aware of what you should do to ensure your personal safety.
Violent crime is not a major problem on campus; still, there were 4 aggravated assaults on campus last year. According to Carla Cook, a public safety sergeant with the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) one of the best ways to ensure your personal safety is to be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. Trust your instincts; if a situation feels wrong, leave.
If you walk around campus at night, avoid poorly-lit areas. Be aware of the location of the police station in the Beringhause Building. Find out which campus buildings are open 24 hours. Try to avoid walking alone or while intoxicated. Walk in a way that conveys confidence.
Cook recommends carrying a cell phone so you can call for assistance if you need it. If you do not have a cell phone, there are emergency telephones located at strategic locations around campus [see campus map, page 8]. Call the GTPD at 894-2500 or press the large red emergency button for assistance.
If you need a ride from one point on campus to another after Stinger service has ended, the Stingerette is an option. This is a van service that runs until 2:30 a.m. Police are available for escorts after 2:30 a.m.
Taking these precautions can reduce your risk, but is not a guarantee. Here are some tips to follow if you become a victim of crime.
If you are being followed, cross the street, change directions or vary your pace. Do not resist if an attacker is just after your purse, wallet or other valuables. No amount of money is worth your life.
Get a good description of the attacker, looking for distinguishing tattoos or scars. Also try to get license plate numbers if the attacker flees in a car.
Property crimes are more common at Tech than violent crime. There were 116 burglaries on campus last year. The number of break-ins and thefts, bike thefts, and larceny-thefts have all dropped over the past year, but they remain a problem. To keep your property secure, follow these tips.
Whenever you leave your dorm room, close and lock the door. Do not assume that because you are only going to be gone for a few minutes you do not need to lock your door. Also, do not prop open exterior doors.
Cook suggests that students keep a room inventory listing expensive items along with the model number, brand name, serial number, color and approximate value. That way, if something turns up missing, you will be able to report this information to police.
If you own a laptop, keep it with you at all times. Do not leave it unattended in the library or in a lounge, even for a few minutes.
If you own a bicycle, use a U-style lock to secure it. You can register your bike for free by filling out a registration card at the police station.
If you have a car parked on campus, be sure to keep all valuable items out of sight. Park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving your car parked in the same place for a long period of time.
To get regular updates about campus crime, sign up by emailing crimealerts@police.gatech.edu.
