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Safety on Campus

Residence Halls

• Keep your doors locked at all times
• Tap your AUID to enter residence halls and don't let others tailgate in behind you
• Report broken locks to AUPD
• Call AUPD if anyone suspicious is walking around your building
• Don't loan your AUID to anyone

Protect Valuables

• Record serial numbers of valuable objects
• Don't leave cash, credit cards, checks, or electronics in unlocked drawers or cabinets
• Engrave valuable objects with your ID or driver's license number

Protect Bicycles

• Always lock your bicycle, and always lock it on a bike rack
• Register your bicycle with AUPD through the webpage
• Record the serial number of your bicycle

Lost Something?

Fill out a Lost Property Report available on the AUPD webpage.

Found Something?

AUPD will accept and store items of value for 90 days and attempt to contact the owner directly if the lost item has identification. 

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Runners, bikers, and walkers

Be on the Lookout

It's common to get so "in the zone," that you lose track of what's going on around you, increasing your vulnerability. Walk or run with confidence and purpose. Try to identifying characteristics of strangers and memorizing license tags to keep you from "zoning out."

Before You Begin

• Plan your route before hand and tell a family member or friend where you are going.
• Carry a cell phone and ID with you.
• Don't wear jewelry or carry cash.
• Wear reflective material.

Rules for the Road

• Stay alert at all times.
• Go with a partner or dog.
• Don't wear headphones — listen to your surroundings.
• Avoid unpopulated areas and exercise in familiar areas.
• Trust your intuition — if you feel unsure or unsafe, leave immediately.
• Vary your route to avoid others learning your route.
• If you think you're being followed, change direction and head for open stores, theatres, or a lighted house.
• Have your door key ready before you reach your home.

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Fire Safety 101

Watch your food at all times and never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave, turn off the stove/oven/microwave and remove your food.

• Keep your cooking area clean and uncluttered.
• For a microwave fire, keep the door closed, and unplug the unit.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat, and keep the door closed.
• Never use water for a grease fire; use a lid to smother the flame.
• If the fire alarm activates due to burnt food, evacuate, even if you caused the activation.

If you see a kitchen fire, manually activate the fire alarm, evacuate the building, and contact AUPD.

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Burglary Prevention

Getting Help

If something looks questionable, don’t go in. Call the police from a neighbor’s house, a cell phone, or a public phone.

At night, if you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely, if you can, then call the police. If you can’t leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are asleep.

Protect Your Home, Inside and Out

• Make a list and take pictures of your valuables.
• All external doors should have a deadbolt lock, and all entry doors should have a peephole.
• Install weather stripping on doors that don’t fit tightly in their frames.
• Secure sliding glass doors with a broomstick or dowel in the inside track.
• Install outside lights and keep them on at night.
• Never hide your keys around the outside of your home.
• If possible, rekey locks when moving into a new home or apartment.

If You’re Traveling

• Get timers that will turn lights on and off throughout the day.
• Stop mail and/or newspaper delivery or have a neighbor pick them up.
• Bring in your trash cans or have a neighbor bring them in.

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Responding to an Active Threat

• Run: the first and best option is to get out
• Hide: if you can't immediately leave a building or room, you want to buy time
• Fight: This is a last resort, only to be used if your life is at risk and you are trapped with a threat

Learn More

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Bus and Train Safety

Bus Safety

• In case of threatening or disruptive behavior, an operator can activate a silent alarm that goes through Central Control to the police.
• In other types of emergencies, the bus operator can call central control on the bus radio to request for help.

Train Safety

• Call boxes in each railcar allow riders to report an emergency to the operator .
• Railcars have emergency door releases behind the panel next to the middle doors with instructions. 
• Door chimes alert passengers to stay clear of the doors as they open or close.
• The train operator has an emergency button that can lock all the wheels on the train if necessary.

Prevent Theft

• Don't purchase a Metro pass or card from people on the street.
• Keep your jewelry and other valuables out of sight. 
• Keep a firm grip on your purse or bag, and use a purse or bag with a secure clasp. 
• Carry your wallet inside your coat or side trouser pocket. 
• Beware of loud arguments or commotions that may be staged to distract you while your pocket is picked. 
• Avoid standing near train car doors to lessen your chance of being bumped by others. 

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Rideshare Safety

Steps for A Safe Trip

1. Request rides from inside
2. Check your ride, including the driver, the license plate, and the car’s make and model
3. Ask your driver “Who are you here to pick up?”
4. Wear a seatbelt and ride in the backseat
5. Follow your intuition– if something feels wrong, call 911 or use an emergency button within the app
6. Share trip details with a trusted person
7. Be kind and respectful of your driver and their car

Don’t Stand By

The responsibility for sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrators. In many situations, bystanders have the opportunity to help prevent crimes like sexual assault from happening. Uber has teamed up with NO MORE, a sexual assault prevention nonprofit, and law enforcement on a campaign to show the important role bystanders play in stepping in to help.

A Message from Uber

To help keep the Uber platforms safe, we screen driver-partners on an annual basis and build our technology with safety in mind.

There are also actions that riders and driver-partners can take to keep themselves safe. These tips and tools were created in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

For more on Uber Safety:
https://www.uber.com/us/en/safety/

For more on Lyft Safety: 
https://www.lyft.com/safety/rider

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Vehicle Safety

Have your keys out and ready before leaving a building to approach your vehicle

Feel Unsafe Walking To Your Car Alone on Campus?

Call (202)885-2527 to arrange a Safety Escort by an AUPD officer

• Be alert when leaving stores or shopping malls for your vehicle
• Look around and inside your vehicle before you get in
• Lock your door immediately upon entering
• Check your surroundings before getting out of your vehicle
• Use a two-piece key ring with your car keys to separate from your other important keys so, if you use a valet, you are only giving them your car keys
• Avoid stairwells in parking garages
• Do not make phone calls unless you have a hands-free device while driving
• If you’re making a call with your cell phone, never discuss important information like travel plans or credit card numbers

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Identity Theft

Are You The Victim of Identity Theft? Contact:

• Credit Bureaus
• Creditors
• Law Enforcement
• Social Security Administration

Online Shopping

• Do business with companies you know and trust.
• Use a secure computer connection and Internet browser.
• Never give a bank account, credit card number, or other personal information to anyone who haven't checked out.

Credit & ATM Cards

• Avoid providing card and account information over the phone.
• Watch your card after giving it to store clerks.
• Save all receipts and compare them to monthly statements.
• Never write your PIN on your card or on a piece of paper in your wallet.

Passwords

• Change passwords regularly Memorize passwords, don't write them down.
• Set up a special account for users other than yourself when necessary.
• Never use "Remember Passcode."

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Tech Theft

Flying With Laptops

Only put the laptop on the conveyor belt when you are next in line. Keep your eye on your laptop, tablet, or other electronics as they come off the conveyor belt. Alert security personnel immediately if you think someone is attempting to steal your devices.

New Electronics

• If available, set up an online tracking system for your device.
• Conceal your purchase when exiting stores after a new purchase.
• Report suspicious people inside and outside the store.

Theft Prevention

• Two-way wireless security alarms for laptops have an alarm installed on the computer itself and a remote keychain device.
• Set up a security perimeter for your laptop.
• Most mobile devices include the ability to remotely erase the data from your device if it is lost or stolen.
• Enable ‘Find my Phone’.

Reduce Your Risk

• Don’t leave devices in an unlocked vehicle or room.
• Carry your devices in a nondescript bag and lock them in a safe place when not in use.
• Apply distinctive markings to your device to make them easily identifiable.
• Backup your information.
• Use password protection on all devices.