Police & Campus Safety

Prevention Tips

• Personal Safety
  • The best time to plan your response to handle an emergency is to do so before it happens.
  • Stay aware of safety and crime trends on campus.  Regularly check the UCR Police & Safety Services website for updated information.
  • Learn about other campus resources available to support Highlander safety; reference the UCR PD resource guide.
  • Remain aware of your surroundings; do not get distracted by your phone while walking.
  • Know your way around campus and follow well-lit commonly traveled routes; avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas.
  • If you feel threatened, Yell or scream; attract attention. Yell, “Call the police!” and run toward a lighted public area.  You can also cross the street or change directions, locate a campus emergency phone, or enter a store or place of business. Call 9-1-1 if emergency.
  • Have your keys in your hand ready to open a car or residence when you arrive, avoiding being distracted by having to search for your keys.
  • Utilize the campus safety escort programs when concerned for your safety when walking to/from a location on campus, especially at night.
  • Never give personal information to people that you do not know (name, home address, phone number, etc.).
  • Meet chat friends for the first time in public places and/or with other friends.
  • Take a self-defense class, such as the ones offered at UCR Recreation Center.
• Theft Prevention
  • Do not leave purses, backpacks, or laptops unattended anywhere on campus.
  • Never leave valuables visible in your car. Lock them in your trunk or take them with you.
  • Lock bikes to immovable objects or bike racks with hardened alloy lock or U-shaped lock.
  • Keep a list of serial numbers and descriptions of your valuables. This is your primary means of retrieving your property if recovered after a theft.
  • When leaving your dorm room, home, or office, lock doors and windows even if you will be gone for "just a minute."
  • Keep a list of all items and serial numbers in a safe place.
  • Never prop open a locked door.
• Party Smart
  • Eat food and drink water before you go out.
  • Attend parties with friends and look out for one another.
  • Do not accept drinks from someone you do not trust.
  • Do not leave your drink(s) unattended at a party; many rape drugs are odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
  • Do not leave alone with someone you do not know and trust.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Do not give into peer pressure. 
  • Never drink and drive; always have a Designated Driver or use the safe ride.
• Cyber Security
  • Use a nickname in chat rooms or message boards.
  • Use random letters and numbers for passwords; do not use a maiden name, your birth date, your graduation date, your social security number or any other familiar letters or numbers that can be associated with you as passwords.
  • Never give personal information to people that you do not know (name, home address, account numbers, social security, or phone number, etc.).
  • Computer phishing is a crime. Phishers attempt to fraudulently acquire credit card details and other sensitive personal data via bogus emails or pop-up windows. It may look like a legitimate email from a legitimate institution, but beware of unsolicited requests for information.
  • Law Enforcement, Courts, Financial or payment institutions will never request that you send them personal sensitive data via email or pop up windows.
  • If you receive a suspicious looking email from any bank, lending, or payment institution, it is best to delete and not respond. If, by coincidence, you have an account with the entity mentioned in the email, call your legitimate institution using the number on your physical bill or through verified telephone information (not the number provided within the email itself – could be fraudulent).
  • Monitor your credit report. Each year, obtain and thoroughly review your credit report from the three major credit bureaus; Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (883-397-3742) and TransUnion (800-680-4213) or at https://www.annualcreditreport.com to look for suspicious activity. If you spot something, alert your creditor immediately.
• Residence Hall / Apartment Safety
  • Help watch out for each other to build a safe and inclusive campus environment.
  • Remember, you are responsible for your guests’ safety and behavior.  
  • Lock all doors and windows, even when you are only going to be away for a short while. If possible, keep doors and windows (accessible to someone from the outside) closed when home alone, and certainly while asleep.
  • Do not open your door for someone you do not know or cannot see.
  • Never prop open exterior doors. If you see a door propped, close it.
  • Do not put your name and address on key rings.
  • Do not allow people you do not know to “tailgate” behind you into your building.
  • The most common crimes in apartments are burglaries. Violence can result when residents return home during a burglary. If you come home and believe someone has unlawfully entered your apartment, DO NOT GO INSIDE OR IF INSIDE ALREADY, TURN AROUND AND EXIT IMMEDIATELY. Go to a safe place and call 9-1-1.
  • Immediately report any building security and safety problems (broken locks, burned-out lights, smell of smoke or gas, etc.).
  • Do not allow anyone you do not know into a residence hall.
  • Report all suspicious activity to Campus Police & Safety Services.
  • Try not to leave items of value in your room during vacations and long holidays.
  • Do not leave notes on your door or dry erase board or social media stating that no one is home. Do not post your daily routine. This invites theft.