The Department of Public Safety responds to crimes in progress and takes reports of crimes that occurred, but we stress that prevention is just as, if not more, important. While response and enforcement help deter criminals and is part of prevention, we want the Augsburg community to reduce the opportunity for criminals. A crime generally involves three things: the desire to commit the crime, the means to commit the crime, and the opportunity to commit the crime.
A victim is never at fault for the crime, but you can help reduce the opportunity for criminals to commit crimes. The Department of Public Safety works to accomplish this by vehicle and foot patrol, the use of security cameras, controlling building access (mechanical and electronic locking), and other means. We hope to deter criminals with our presence and response, but crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
The Department of Public Safety has staff available to speak with regarding crime prevention techniques, in general or specific to your situation. To inquire about your specific needs, or schedule a crime prevention seminar for your group, please call the Department of Public Safety at 612-330-1717 or publicsafety@augsburg.edu.
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Residence Hall Safety Tips
Do:
Leave valuables, particularly jewelry, at home if it is not necessary to have them at your campus residence.
Keep your door locked even when you’re at home. It’s easy for others to enter your residence without you knowing, particularly if you’re in a back room or if your stereo or television is playing.
Contact the Department of Public Safety to report suspicious activity.
Keep a record of the make, model, and serial number of your valuables.
Report lost keys to Residence Life and/or the Department of Public Safety immediately.
Discuss these crime prevention tips with your roommates and floormates.
Report crimes to the Department of Public Safety and/or 9-1-1 as soon as possible.
Do Not:
Allow strangers or hold large gatherings in your residence. It is easy for someone to steal small items without being noticed.
Prop open exterior building doors.
Let strangers into the buildings – if someone you don’t know follows you into a residence hall, contact the Department of Public Safety immediately.
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Preventing Theft
Theft is by far the most common crime on college campuses. Most thefts are crimes of opportunity and can be prevented by taking simple precautions.
Do:
Keep valuables with you at all times or leave them at home.
Lock your vehicle doors and take all valuables with you. If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, place them in a place where they are not visible from outside the vehicle (e.g., trunk or glove box).
Record the make, model, and serial numbers of all valuables and keep the records in a safe place.
Report stolen property to the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.
Do Not:
Leave items unattended (especially phones, laptops, and backpacks).
Prop open doors: Locked doors help keep you and your items safe.
Leave items visible in your vehicle.
Have valuables out while walking (e.g., phone, tablet, laptop, etc.).
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Personal Safety Tips
Do:
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Use the “Buddy System.” Walk in groups, if possible, or call the Department of Public Safety for an escort.
Stay in populated areas and avoid “short cuts” through deserted places, alleys, or bushes.
Park in well-lit areas as close to your destination as possible.
Let a family member, friend or roommate know who you are with, where you will be, and when you will return. Leave an address and phone number, if possible.
Do Not:
Walk while distracted (e.g., with headphones on, looking at your phone, etc.).
Hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.
Jog alone or in secluded areas. Ask one or more friends to jog with you.
“Flash” large amounts of money or expensive jewelry.
If You Feel Threatened:
If you are being followed by a suspicious person, go quickly to a well-lit area and/or group of people.
If you feel you are in danger or are approached suddenly, yell something such as “Fire!” or “Help, Police!” as loud as you can to get peoples’ attention.
If someone follows you into your driveway, stay in your car with the windows shut and the doors locked. Honk your horn to get the attention of neighbors and scare off the other driver.
If a car approaches you while you are on foot and you feel threatened, scream and run in the opposite direction from which the car is going.
Call the Department of Public Safety or 9-1-1 as soon as you can safely do so.
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Preventing Sexual Assault
Get to a safe place—contact the Department of Public Safety or 911 if you are in danger.
Contact someone you trust.
Do not shower, wash, douche, use the restroom, change clothes, comb your hair, clean up the scene, or move items. Evidence preservation is essential.
Consider seeking medical attention with a SANE Nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). The exam may still be effective up to 72 hours later, but the sooner the better to preserve evidence.
If you are comfortable doing so, report the incident to the University:
Remember: You are not at fault! Healing takes time, and help is available.
Be Smart and Plan Ahead
There is no absolute way to prevent a sexual assault, but you can help reduce the risk to yourself or someone else by thinking and planning ahead. If you are going to party:
Know your limits with alcohol: Don’t drink to excess. Besides concerns about sexual assault, high-risk alcohol consumption can have numerous other consequences including poor grades, driving while intoxicated, non-sexual assaults, unsafe sex, injury, and organ damage, among other concerns.
Drink with friends: Avoid drinking with people you don’t know, people who insist you “keep up,” or make fun of you for not drinking enough. Drink with people you can trust and who will stay with you.
Use the “buddy system”: Have at least one buddy who will stay with you and who will not drink or knows their limits. This buddy could be you. The buddy can tell you when you have had too much and can keep watch out for you and know if you disappear.
Make a plan: Before you go out, make a plan! Talk to your friends about where you are going, who you know there, how you will get there, when you will leave, and how you will get home. Set up check points for the evening or codes to make it easy to communicate with your friends.
Alwaysknow where your drink came from and where it is: If you didn’t see the bartender pour it and hand it to you, don’t accept drinks from anyone. Hold onto your drink, even when you go to the bathroom. If your drink is out of sight even for just a second, get a new one; spiking a drink takes almost no time. Don’t drink from punchbowls or open containers. If you’re drink tastes funny, get rid of it.
Charge your cell phone and keep it with you: You never know when you will need it, and it’s your easiest way to get help in an emergency.
Avoid clubs or parties where women get in for free, but men have to pay: If a club or party lets women in for free, or allows them to drink for free, but makes men pay for admission or drinks, think twice about going.
Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, remove yourself from the situation and/or get help.
Have a ride share app on your phone or the number for a taxi: You may need to leave a bar or party and get home. Make sure you have the number for a taxi or a ride share app (e.g., Uber or Lyft) so that you can call if you need to. While many cab companies take credit cards, not all cabs are equipped for credit cards, so make sure you have enough cash to get home.
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Vehicle Safety Tips
Do:
Always roll up windows, close the sunroof and lock your doors before leaving your vehicle.
Whenever possible, bring valuables with you once you have parked your car. If you can’t bring them with you, lock all valuables in the trunk and out of sight, whenever your vehicle is parked.
Make sure you have plenty of gas and windshield washer fluid. Ensure your tires have plenty of air and your spare tire and jack are serviceable.
Record the make, model, and license number of your car and keep the records in a safe place.
Park your car in a well-lit area, as close to your destination as possible.
When returning to your vehicle, keep your keys in hand while walking with confidence and purpose.
Report any suspicious activity to the Department of Public Safety.
Trust your instincts. If you do not feel comfortable, or if you have any concerns for your safety, call the Department of Public Safety for an escort.
Do Not:
Leave cash, credit cards, auto registration or other important papers in plain view or in the glove compartment.
Leave valuables such as computers, cell phones or backpacks.
Take “short-cuts” through dark or unfamiliar areas.
Use the button on the following heading to expand content on Preventing Bicycle Theft
Preventing Bike Theft
Bicycle theft is an ongoing problem at this and every college. Most bicycle thefts can be prevented by taking simple precautions.
Securing Your Bike
Regardless of the type of lock you use to secure your bicycle, check your bicycle for any easily removable parts (e.g., front tire, seat, baskets/bags, etc.). If possible, take any removable pieces with you, or secure them to the frame of the bicycle using your lock.
Securing Your Bike Using a “U”-type Lock (Recommended)
This type of lock is recommended, as special tools are typically needed to cut through or break these types of locks. Below are some tips to think about when securing you bike using a U-lock:
If your bike has quick release wheels, remove the front wheel and use the lock to secure it with the rear wheel and frame.
If your bike does not have quick release wheels, secure the lock through both the front tire and frame.
Securing Your Bike Using a Cable Lock or Chain
If you don’t have access to a U-lock, a cable or chain is better than nothing. Below are some tips to help keep your bike as secure as possible:
Use a cable or chain at least 3/8″ in diameter.
Use a key lock with a 3/8″ hardened shackle with heel and toe locking.
Pull up all slack in the cable or chain and make sure the lock is as high off the ground as possible.
Do:
Secure to a bicycle rack. University regulations do not allow bicycles in campus buildings or secured to trees, signposts, and hand railings, among other places.
Record make, model, and serial number and keep in a safe place.
Report your stolen bicycle to the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.
Report suspicious persons observed near bicycle racks.
Use authorized bike racks on campus. Off campus, secure your bike in a frequently traveled, well-lit area.
Do Not:
Leave your unlocked bicycle unattended.
Secure to chain link fencing or other objects significantly weaker in strength than your lock.
Leave easily removable parts unsecured (e.g., front tire, seat, baskets/bags, etc.).
