Crime Prevention Tip #4

Keep it With You...

This time of year, there's a lot to do. Exams, papers, etc. It is tempting when you need a break to leave everything where you were working so it will be waiting for you when you've returned.

However, this time of year is when we take many more reports of thefts - especially backpacks, wallets, iPods, cell phones and laptops. Common locations for these thefts are the public areas of the Library, Blanchard, and the common areas of the residence halls.

So, to avoid losing valuable work or risk losing your money or personal items:

• do not leave any property unattended for any length of time
  
• if you must leave your property, have a friend watch it for you
• store any valuables, including money, laptops, electronic devices and cell phones, in a locked area when they are not with you
• If you own an iPod or other mp3 player, be sure to put your name in the owner information. If it is found and turned in to Public Safety we can identify it as yours and get it back to you
• If something is stolen, report it to Public Safety as soon as possible. Also take note as to whether there are any suspicious persons in the area where your theft occurred.
  

Crime Prevention Tip of the Week #3

Get help fast!

In order to reach Public Safety quickly in case of emergency, program our phone number into your cell phone:

(413) 538-2304

That way, you can reach us quickly regardless of where you are on campus for help.

Keep in mind that the quicker you are able to alert us to a crime or potentially dangerous situation, the more quickly we can respond. Be sure to call us as soon as possible if:

• you are the victim of, or are aware of, a crime on campus
• you see something suspicious (please be prepared to provide a full description and detail what about the situation caused you to notify us)
• you notice a safety hazard on campus - exterior doors that do not shut or lock; the odor of natural gas, someone who appears to be 'checking out' cars in a parking lot, etc.
• any other safety concern on campus

We'd rather hear from you and determine that everything is fine than not hear from you and potentially lose the chance to prevent a crime from occurring.

Crime Prevention Tip of the Week #2 - Lock your Door

Several incidents occurred this year in which students were victims of crimes which may have been prevented by a simple step - locking their residence room door. Many students reported they were gone only long enough to take a shower, visit a friend down the hall, or use the restroom.

In this academic year, we have had numerous thefts from residence hall rooms, one sexual assault perpetrated by a male who is believed to have entered an unlocked room, and an unknown male walked in on a student while she was sleeping. In one case last fall, a homeless man was arrested after he entered several rooms and areas in Porter Hall attempting to find unattended cash.

Despite attempts by the college to provide locks on the outside doors of residence halls, put card access on exterior doors, and provide locks for ground floor windows, crimes still occur in residence halls. Some crimes have committed by fellow students or by visitors of fellow students; a few were committed by currently unknown persons.

Regardless of the perpetrator, a locked door can go a long way toward protecting you and your valuables. Laptop computers and iPods are easy targets for thieves as they are easy to carry and can be easily sold. These items have not only academic but personal importance to their owners, and are expensive to replace. Most certainly, no one wants to be the victim of an assault or worse.

Additionally, members of the community should be very careful not to prop open exterior doors or leave ground floor windows unlocked. If a door is found propped open, un-prop it; if a window can not be locked, contact Public Safety. If you see someone suspicious in or near a residence hall, contact Public Safety at x2304, or dial 1-911. (From a cell phone call us at (413) 538-2304.)

Crime Prevention Tip of the Week

Keep Your Bike - Lock it Up.

In 2007, 22 bicycles were stolen from outside bike racks and other areas - only two were believed to have been locked at the time of the theft. An additional 8 bicycles were stolen from inside bike rooms, again only 2 were believed to have been locked.

Of the 30 bicycles stolen in that year, 16, or just over half of the bicycles reported stolen, were found somewhere on campus other than where the owner had parked it. Officers are still on the look-out for the other bicycles.

You can save yourself from the inconvenience of having to go without your bicycle, as well as the burden of the cost of replacement, but securing your bicycle with a sturdy U-Type lock. More tips can be found online at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/dps/crimprev/bikethef.shtml.

Be sure to register your bicycle. It is free, and it will prevent it from being removed from campus by the College in order to make room in campus bicycle storage areas.