UPD recommends safety tips for students, employees

January 17, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In light of recent events occurring in close proximity to the University of Florida campus, the University of Florida Police Department would like to remind students, faculty and staff of safety precautions that can be effective in maintaining personal safety:

• Be sure the doors of your residence are locked when you are there as well as when away.
• Use peepholes to identify people before opening the door.
• Make sure that all windows are properly secured.
• Never indicate to anyone that you are alone.
• Never let strangers inside your residence to use the phone. Offer to make the call for them.
• Use blinds or draperies for privacy.
• Avoid being in isolated areas such as laundries or parking areas alone, especially at night.
• List your initials instead of your first name on your mailbox and in the telephone directory.
• Always have your key ready for quick entry.
• Have a telephone with a lighted keypad readily available near your bed for quick use at night.
• If you find a door or window open or signs of forced entry upon arriving at your residence, don’t enter. Go to the nearest phone and call the police.
• Keep your cell phone handy to dial 911 if necessary.
• When you are headed home or to another location, tell a friend where you are going, and phone them to let them know when you arrive.

The University of Florida Police Department offers a RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) course free of charge. The class is for women only, and teaches self-defense techniques. This class is offered several times each semester, and arrangements can be made to offer the class for entire groups according to their schedule. For more information or to sign up for a RAD class, please contact the University of Florida Police Department’s Community Services Division at 352-392-1409.

For additional information regarding sexual battery and date rape, please visit the UFPD Web site at http://www.police.ufl.edu.