Safety tips and robbery prevention

[The Straight Story]

Safety tips and robbery prevention

Although violent crime at VCU (Virginia Common Wealth University) is rare, we are not immune from such realities. Although quick arrests normally reduce citizen anxieties, prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime by following the safety tips presented below. Consider what you can do to enhance your personal safety.

Tips for being safe when walking

Robbery is a dangerous crime that can threaten any person or business. It is a crime of violence. Remember that money can be replaced; a life cannot.

Travel well-lighted, busy routes. Avoid walking or parking in shadowed areas. Have your keys in your hand as you approach your door, and remember to be alert to what and who is around you. Glance under your car, around it and in the back seat as you get in.

There’s safety in numbers. Don’t make yourself an easy target. If you must be out at night, arrange to go to class, do errands or go shopping with a companion or two. If you are alone in the VCU area, use the VCU Security Escort Service from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Call 828-WALK (9255) for an escort. The service is free; you simply have to present your VCU ID to the responding officer.

Avoid displaying and carrying large sums of money in public. Only carry the credit cards you need. At VCU, use the debit account feature on your VCUCard for bookstore, dining and parking transactions.

Be careful with purses or wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, but do not loop or wrap straps around you. A purse snatcher could injure you. Keep wallets in an inside pocket.

Be alert and aware. Pay full attention to who is around you when you are in public. Avoid text messaging and talking on the phone.

Know the locations of the Emergency Response Telephone System throughout both campuses.

Use the VCU Security Escort Service. Dial 828-WALK, or use an ERTS.

If you are confronted, COOPERATE! Give the criminal what he/she asks for — wallet, keys, jewelry, credit cards and electronics. Your life is more valuable than replaceable possessions. Don’t make sudden moves or try to apprehend the criminal yourself. Concentrate on remembering a description and call police immediately

http://www.police.vcu.edu/safety/robbery_prevention.html

Concentrate on remembering a description and call police immediately

That is one bit of advice worth noting twice. Cooperate and while doing so note anything you can from description to clothing, height, which direction they fled, shoes, etc. because at this point you are not only a victim but a witness and potentially the only one. Police have a better chance of getting your things back before they are fenced/traded the more info they have (the very same night someone stole a digital camera I forgot and left in the car they made an arrest and got my camera back).

When I am out on my porch I keep a pen and paper with me, we have less break ins now than a year ago since some of the foreclosed homes have been sold. But just yesterday someone pulled up in front of my neighbor's house (he lives in WV and just keeps this house for some reason) and was snooping around (the grass is super high, a tip off). Got the description, car info, plate number (I gave up calling the cops when it comes to foreclosed homes, they don't do jack - but this one I know the owner and his house is full of things).

[ret5hd]

1. What a bunch of victim blaming.