PPSC Campus Police provide the following tips to help you stay safe on campus and everywhere you go.
Whether travelling on official business or for leisure, do not become a victim when you are staying in an unfamiliar city. Protect yourself by following these suggestions.
Find out where the safe and unsafe neighborhoods are located. When you can, travel with a friend or trusted colleague. If you are a woman, ask if your hotel offers women-only floors. Ask if you can be seated with other guests in the hotel dining room or in restaurants to avoid being targeted as a woman traveling alone. When you leave your hotel room, always lock the door. When you are in your hotel room, keep the deadbolt locked and the chain on the door. Do not open your door unless you have called room service or you are expecting visitors. If someone knocks on your door, verify your caller is the person you are expecting, before you open the door. Even if you are expecting someone, if your door has a peephole, look through if before opening the door. If you like to jog or workout while you are on travel, ask the hotel/motel to recommend a safe place. Do not jog in areas that are unsafe. Take taxis after dark. Do not walk alone at night. In addition, even during the day - be alert! The State Statutes of Colorado require that sex offenders register with the law enforcement agency where they reside. By law, each local law enforcement agency (police and sheriff) is required to maintain the list of sex offenders for their city/county. For more information go to http://sor.state.co.us/
Never falsely pull a fire alarm. A false alarm endangers everyone, increases the costs of fire protection, and is a crime under Colorado State Law (CRS 18-8-111).
Smoking is prohibited in college facilities. If you smoke, be sure ashes are cold before dumping them. Remember to smoke only in designated areas. Never leave electrical appliances unattended when in use. Follow all campus rules about candles, incense, bottled gas, etc. To avoid overloaded circuits, do not plug too many cords into one outlet. Do not store flammable liquids in offices. Dispose of all trash properly so there is no chance of fire. Know where the fire extinguishers are located and how to use them. Know where the fire alarms are and, if there is a fire, pull the fire alarm immediately. Know where the fire exits are and be sure they can open easily and are free of clutter.
Make a list of all your valuables and keep it in a safe place. Include date of purchase, price, serial numbers, and place of purchase. Don't leave your belongings unattended in the classroom, library, cafeteria, gymnasium, etc. Always lock your bike, even if you are only going to be a few minutes. Record the description, serial number and registration number. Engrave your bike with your ID number. Lock your doors every time you leave. Never leave your doors propped open! Always lock your car and take the keys. Lock valuables in the trunk so that a thief won't be tempted to break in. Park in well-lighted areas. Be careful when lending out belongings.
Be realistic about your ability to protect yourself. Your instinct may be to scream, go ahead! It may startle your attacker and give you an opportunity to run away. Kick off your shoes if you have time and cannot run in them. Do not take time to look back; just get away. If your life is in danger, passive resistance may be your best defense. Tell your attacker that you have a disease or are menstruating. Vomiting or urinating may also convince the attacker to leave you alone. Yelling, hitting or biting may give you a chance to escape, do it! Understand that some actions on your part might lead to more harm. Remember, every emergency situation is different. Only you can decide which action is most appropriate.
Change direction. Cross the street. Walk with confidence, hold your head up high. Walk briskly. Keep looking around and behind you so the follower knows you cannot be surprised. Go to a well-lighted area: the bookstore, the student center, libraries, classroom, anywhere there are people. Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can give a good description. Report the incident to the Campus Police at (719) 502-2911. If you are held up, don't resist. No amount of money is worth your life. Do not assume a robber is unarmed.
Act immediately if you believe that your child is missing.
If your child is missing from home, search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside old refrigerators—wherever a child may crawl or hide.
If you still cannot find your child, immediately call your local law-enforcement agency
by dialing 911.
If your child disappears in a store, shopping center, or mall, notify the store manager
or security office. Then immediately dial 911. Many stores have a Code Adam plan of
action—if a child is missing in the store, center or mall, employees immediately mobilize
to look for the missing child.
When you call law enforcement, provide your child's name, date of birth, height, weight,
and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you
noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing. Always
carry an updated photo of your children.
Request that your child's name and identifying information be immediately entered
into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
After you have reported your child missing to law enforcement, call the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children on our toll-free telephone number, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
National Center for Missing and Exploited children: MissingKids.com
One of the first steps toward protecting yourself is to empty your wallet or purse of unnecessary documents, like your social security card and credit cards that are not used on a regular basis - even your checkbook.
The following tips are also helpful for protecting yourself:
Shred credit card applications and opt out of unsolicited credit card offers. Cancel all unused credit cards and keep a list of the ones you have. Don't just throw away statements with your credit card number, checking account number, social security number, or your date of birth on them - shred these. Criminals will sift through people's garbage for just such information. When using personal identification numbers (PIN), don't use your date of birth, social security number, or your name. Be suspicious of others at ATM machines. Shield the screen when you put in your identification number (PIN). Always order and pick up your checks from your bank or financial institution. Use a secured mailbox to mail your bills by check; the best ones are at the Post Office itself. At least once a year, check your credit with the three credit reporting companies and report any discrepancies at once.
Call your local police. Call your bank or financial institution and credit card companies. Notify the fraud department of the three credit reporting agencies. Close any checking and savings accounts. Open new accounts, but with different passwords.
PPSC Campus Police provide the following tips to help you stay safe on campus and everywhere you go.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
303-629-7171
303-850-2700
Fourth Judicial District Attorney
719-520-6002
United States Postal Inspection Service
877-876-2455