Safety On and Around Campus

Here are some helpful suggestions and tips to help ensure your personal safety while in and around the UT campus.

• When walking, avoid dark, vacant or deserted areas. If you are followed or see suspicious activity, move to a lighted building or area and raise a commotion.
• Try to park in a well lit area whenever possible.
• Activate a Police Help Phone (the yellow call box with a blue light on top) or a fire box.
• If at all possible, avoid walking alone at night or early in the morning. Consider having a friend escort you both ways when possible (the buddy system).
• Dress in clothes and shoes that will allow you to move quickly.
• If you carry a purse, briefcase or backpack, keep only a small amount of cash in it. If possible, do not carry a purse.
• Keep your keys in hand when you are walking at night or early in the morning.
• Carry a noise-making device, such as a keychain alarm (can be purchased at Wal Mart, Walgreen?s, Target or Fry?s), and have it ready to use.
• Consider carrying pepper spray for self protection if you park off campus and carry it in your hands whenever you are out walking.
• Please keep this in a purse, locker or desk drawer when at work. Do not carry this in the work area.
• Be alert, observant and aware of your surroundings and any other people on the street with you.
• Use a well-traveled and well-lighted route.
• Walk purposefully, briskly and keep moving.
• Walk in the center of the sidewalk away from buildings, doorways, hedges and parked cars.
• Walk on the side of the street facing oncoming traffic. If a car pulls next to you going the same way, reverse your direction.
• Join any group of people nearby or across the street and increase your pace.
• If you believe a threat is imminent and you see people nearby to help you, yell, scream or make a commotion in any way you can.
• If you see someone else in trouble, call 911 immediately. Program your cell phone with the UTPD telephone number. This will give you a direct link to UTPD when you observe suspicious or criminal activity on campus.
• If a stranger tries to engage you in a conversation, use discretion before stopping to talk. It is a good idea to say you are in a hurry to meet someone.
• Have the access card to your residence/office ready as you approach your building.
• If a taxi or automobile drops you off, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.
• Remember, report any suspicious person or activities to the UTPD at 471-4441 or if off campus call APD at 911.

For other Crime Prevention Tips visit the UTPD website at: Crime Prevention

UTPD also offers Rape Aggression Defense System (RAD) classes. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) System is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. It is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. To learn more about these classes visit the UTPD website at: http://www.utexas.edu/police/rad/

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