Personal Safety Tips 

At Home, in a Building or in the Residence Halls:

1. Stay sober.
2. Keep your room door locked when you are sleeping or napping.
3. Never let unauthorized persons enter your room, residence hall or apartment. Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
4. Never prop open inside or outside doors.
5. Do not hide keys outside of your room or apartment. Do not put your name or address on your keys.
6. Avoid working or studying alone in a campus building.
7. Never dress in front of a window. Draw blinds or curtains after dark.
8. If you are awakened by an intruder inside your room or apartment, do not attempt to apprehend the intruder (you may want to pretend you are sleeping until the intruder leaves). Try to get an accurate description of the intruder and call the police immediately.

When Driving:

1. When approaching your vehicle carry your keys so you can enter quickly.
2. Lock your doors and keep windows rolled up whenever possible. Always check the rear seat for intruders before entering your vehicle.
3. Drive on well traveled and well lit streets.
4. Never hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.
5. If someone tries to enter your stopped vehicle, sound the horn and drive away, even if you must go through a red light or stop sign.
6. If your vehicle breaks down, raise the hood and wait in your locked car for help. Be aware that an accident may be staged to provide the other driver with an opportunity to commit a criminal act.
7. Leave enough room between your car and the one ahead so you can drive around it if necessary.

When Walking or Jogging:

1. Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog after dark. If you must travel alone at night use the UND Safety Escort Service (777-3491) to escort you to your destination on campus or locations near campus.
2. Avoid dark or vacant campus areas. Walk along well lit routes.
3. Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction, go to the other side of the street and yell for help, or head quickly for a lighted area or a group of people.
4. Have your keys ready when returning to your residence hall or apartment and keep your personal or valuable items concealed and close to your body.
5. Be aware of the on-campus “Blue Light” security system. These telephone units are highly visible and located throughout campus and can be used to contact police in a crisis situation. Locations of these “Blue Lights” are available at the UND Police Department (777-3491).
6. Stand tall, walk purposefully and make eye contact with those around you. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave.

If you see any suspicious activity or people on or near the University campus, it is your responsibility to call the UND Police Department (dial 911) immediately and report what you have seen. Do not assume that what you see is an innocent activity or that another individual has already called the police. Do not worry about being embarrassed; rather think about what could happen if you do not act. However, do not approach suspicious individuals, this could put you in immediate physical danger.

Suspicious people may be:

• Loitering about at unusual hours and locations.
• Running, especially if something of value is being carried.
• Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms. Person(s) could be under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing medical or psychiatric assistance.
• Carrying property that might be suspicious, depending on the circumstances.
• Going from room to room trying door knobs.
• Other unusual situations.
• Open or broken doors or windows.
• Unusual noises anything suggestive of foul play, danger or illegal activity.
• People sitting in parked vehicles for an extended period of time.
• Vehicles driving slowly in a parking lot at night.
• Anyone not belonging to the University community.

Do not assume the person is a visitor or University staff member that you have not seen before. Call the UND Police Department immediately.