Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention: Safety After Dark

Preventing crime is critical to having a safe environment for teaching, learning and living. The main goal of crime prevention is to reduce the risk of being a victim, which is best achieved by removing and avoiding opportunities for a criminal to take advantage of you or your property. You can take several steps to avoid becoming a victim, including taking the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) classes through the JCSU Campus Police Department. Robbery is a crime that is often avoidable. The more you know about robbery and heed the prevention tips, the safer you will be both on and off campus.

Prevention Tips

The crime of robbery is mainly a nighttime crime, increasing after 8 p.m. and subsiding after 3 a.m. in most areas. Robberies often increase during the winter months because of extended periods of darkness. Dozens of robbery studies have indicated that robbers like isolation, prefer lone victims, good escape routes, and few witnesses, in addition to a good cash score. Please follow these tips:

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 Travel with a group after dark.

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 Attach a small flashlight to your keychain, and make sure it always has working batteries.

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 Keep your keys and cell phone in your hand when walking to your car at night.

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 Park near the entrance of parking garages or as close as possible to buildings when shopping at night.

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 If you must cross a roadway at night in an area without crosswalks and/or signals, try to cross near streetlights or other light sources so that you are visible to approaching motorists. 

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When walking in the evening or at night, always wear reflective or light colored clothing.  

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Let someone at your intended destination know your expected arrival time.