Safety and Crime Prevention Tips

Use "ICE" on your cell phone

ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency". Add this entry to your cell's phonebook with the number of the person you want to be contacted in the event of an emergency. Emergency personnel are being trained to look for this entry when faced with situations where a person can not communicate with them. Looking for identification only tells them who you are. ICE can tell emergency personnel who to contact.

"It can't happen to me..."
Prevention of Sexual Assault & Violence Against Women

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

The US Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention offers information for those concerned about alcohol abuse and violence against women.

Women, of all ages, suffer from alcohol abuse, domestic violence/sexual assault or both. Any woman may find herself, a family member, or friend facing these issues and want to know more information. They may wonder what to do, and how to prevent it from happening again.

This Web-based course is for anyone concerned about substance abuse-related violence directed at women. It is for people interested in preventing and stopping violence against women. This course discusses substance abuse, violence against women, the connection between the two, signs and symptoms, myths, how to see if a problem exists, as well as prevention, treatment and legal options.

Active Shooter and Hostage Situations

This document provides guidance to faculty, staff, students and visitor who may be caught in an active shooting or a hostage situation—the police response to these situations is different.

An “active shooter” is a person or persons who appear to be actively killing or attempting to kill people in a single location. These situations have happened in schools, shopping malls, businesses, streets and other public venues. These situations are dynamic in nature and require immediate action by law enforcement personnel to stop the shooter.

A hostage situation is one in which a person(s) takes control over another person(s), is demanding some type of action and not allowing the person(s) being held to leave. The hostage taker is not actively killing or injuring people. The hostage taker is holding people against their will. Police will respond and attempt to communicate with the hostage taker(s).

Some Guidelines for Responding to Active Shooter

How one responds at an active shooter situation will be determined by the specific circumstances of the encounter. If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use the following guidelines as a strategy for survival.

If an active shooter is outside your building:
• Proceed to a room that can be locked or barricaded
• Lock all doors and windows, turn out the lights and stay away from and lower than the windows. Barricade the door if you can not lock it.
• Dial 9-1-1 and advise the dispatcher of what is taking place and your location. Remain on the line to give the dispatcher any further information that may be needed
• Remain in the room until the police or a campus administrator gives the “all clear.” Be sure it is the police or a campus administrator who is giving the “all clear” and not the shooter attempting to gain entry into the room

If an active shooter is inside the building with you:
• If the room can be locked, lock it and stay away from the door
• If the room cannot be locked, determine if there is a nearby room that you could safely get to that can be locked. Consider barricading the door if you can not lock it.
• Follow the procedures listed above under “If an active shooter is outside your building”

If an active shooter enters your office or classroom:
• Dial 9-1-1 on your office phone or cell phone if possible
• If it is possible to talk, give shooter’s location and description
• If it is not safe to speak, just leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear what is taking place
• If possible, attempt to negotiate with the shooter
• Attempting to overpower the shooter with force should be considered as the last resort after all other options have been exhausted
• If the shooter leaves the area, attempt to lock the door or barricade the door or proceed to a safe location

If you are able to and decide to flee an active shooting situation:
• Have a route of escape in mind
• Leave everything behind except your cell phone (do not worry about purses or book bags – those will only slow you down.
• Keep your hands visible and follow the instructions of the police. You must remember, the police may not have an accurate description of the shooter(s), so for everyone’s safety, you may be detained by the police
• Do not stop to assist wounded victims or attempt to move them. Do tell the police where these victims are located

What you should expect from responding law enforcement to an active shooter:
• Police are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to the sound of the gunfire
• Their purpose is to stop the shooter(s)
• Officers may be in plainclothes, patrol uniforms or SWAT Uniforms armed with long rifles, shotguns and handguns
• Do as the officers direct you and keep your hands visible at all times
• If possible, tell the officers where the shooter(s) was last seen and a description of the shooter(s)
• Also be aware that the first responding police officers will not stop to assist injured people. Others will follow to treat the injured. First responding officers are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to the gunfire and to stop the shooter(s).

Keep in mind that once you are in a safe location, the entire scene is a crime scene. The police usually will not let anyone leave until the situation is completely under control. Police may ask for your statement of what you heard and observed. Please cooperate with the police.

Some Guidelines for Responding to a Hostage Situation

How one responds in a hostage situation will be determined by the specific circumstances of the encounter. If you find yourself involved in such a situation, try to remain calm. It is generally recommended that you follow directions of the hostage taker
The police response to this situation is different than an active shooter. The police will not proceed immediately into the situation but will surround the area and attempt to set up negotiations with the hostage taker. A hostage situation could last for hours or days. The ultimate goal is for the hostage taker to release all hostages and peacefully surrender to the police.

If the hostage taker begins to kill or injure people or if the negotiators believe the hostage taker is about to start killing or injuring people, police will respond as they do to an active shooter situation. The police will likely respond immediately to stop the shooter.

How to be "Streetwise" and Safe

Residence Hall Security....

* Lock the door to your room when you are sleeping or are out. Know who's at the door before you open it.

* Take care of your keys! Don't give anyone the chance to duplicate them. Don't leave a key over the door or nearby your room.

* Don't leave valuables, like your wallet, checkbook, or jewelry, in open view.

* Hang up immediately on any obscene or harassing phone calls. Report them to Security immediately.

* Look out for your fellow students. Report any and all suspicious activity and crime to Security immediately.

Bike Security....

* Get your bike registered. FREE bike license is available from Security.

* Get a good bike lock. Don't waste your money on a cheap padlock and cable.

* Lock your bike to a fixed object. Don't leave it unlocked even for a moment.

Safewalk....

Walking on campus alone after dark? Call 634-BLUE (or use a campus call box) for an escort from the men and women of Notre Dame SafeWalk. A SafeWalk team will meet you and walk with you to or from any point on campus. The Service is free and confidential. SafeWalkers are student employees of Notre Dame Security/Police and work in teams of two, have photo-identification cards, and are in radio communication with the Security/Police communication center. Hours are 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. After hours, contact Security/Police at 634-(BLUE) for a safe walk.

Three Basic Rules....

* Do stay alert. Keep your mind on your surroundings, who's in front of you and who's behind you. Don't get distracted. If you're worried about crime, ask a friend to accompany you when you go out.

* Do communicate the message that you're calm, confident and know where you're going. Stand tall, walk purposefully, and make quick eye contact with people around you.

* Do trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situations, leave.

When Walking....

* Twenty-two Emergency Call Boxes have been located in peripheral parts of campus. These phones should be used to report suspicious activity or crimes.

* Plan the safest route to your destination and use it. Choose well-lighted busy pathways and streets, avoiding alleys, vacant lots or construction sites. Take a longer way if its safest.

* Know your neighborhood and the campus. Find out which buildings are open late (or early) and where you go to summon help if needed.

* Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it. Carry a wallet in an inside coat or side trouser pocket, not in the rear trouser pocket.

* Don't flaunt expensive jewelry, clothing, or "flash" cash.

* Have your car or house key in hand and ready as you approach you vehicle or home.

* Never hitchhike.

In The Car....

* Keep your car in good running condition to avoid a breakdown.

* Plan your route in advance, particularly on long or unfamiliar trips. Have enough gas and money to get there and back.

* Drive with all car doors locked. Keep windows rolled up whenever possible.

* Never pick up hitchhikers.

Jogging, Biking, and Other Outdoor Activities....

* Vary your route and schedule.

* Avoid jogging and biking at night.

* Consider not wearing your stereo headphones.

* Wear bright reflective clothing.

* Carry some form of identification.