3 Things You Should Know About Campus Safety

As a student, or parent of a student, getting ready for college, there are a lot of things to be concerned about. It's not easy to transition from living with your parents and going to high school into living in a dorm at college. Campus safety is a major concern for families, as well it should be. According to all the headlines reporting about campus crime and lists of the most dangerous campuses, it's a downright dangerous place to be. However, there are three things that you should know about college safety that will set your mind at ease.

1. The Numbers Are Skewed
Every time you see a statistic, keep in mind that the numbers are determined by a person or group that has a narrow view of the situation. In other words, they are looking for a specific result, and they are able to find it. Consider how many articles you've seen about the most dangerous college campuses. Ever wonder why one college will be listed as the most dangerous on one list, but further down the line on another? It's this skewed view of the numbers that creates the disparity. That's not to say that there are not some issues with safety on college campuses, but it does mean you should take whatever you read with a grain of salt.

2. Armed Police Presence
With growing concern over campus safety, it's no surprise that campuses across the country are stepping up efforts to keep students safe. According to one report, over a third of colleges and universities with at least 2,500 students use police officers for their security services. These officers have full arrest powers, the same as their non-campus counterparts. What's more, just about all of the sworn campus police officers are armed and are authorized to use their weapon, a chemical spray or their baton, if necessary. Some campuses also rely on a staff of unsworn security officers either in conjunction with, or in place of sworn police.

3. Prevention Is Key
There are many things that students can do to assure their own safety on campus. Things like avoiding dark pathways, using the buddy system and being aware of your surroundings are all common-sense approaches. Using a lock on the dorm room and putting valuables in locked areas, out of sight are two ways to deter theft. Another thing that students can do is to take a personal defense class to learn how to defend against attack. It is also a good idea to carry pepper spray, a stun gun, or some other personal protection device, especially when walking alone at night.
The truth is, there is no guarantee that anyone will be safe at any time. However, that doesn't mean you have to accept an attack or robbery as inevitable. Contact us to learn more about how to protect yourself, or your college student, on campus. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have.