SECURITY IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS
Crime on campus can be significantly reduced if each person will take the time to properly secure personal and university property, to mark and record the make, model and serial number of personal possessions; to lock rooms and buildings when leaving; to always lock vehicles and take the keys; to observe and report suspicious persons or activities; and never to leave valuables unattended or unsecured. Cooperation is necessary for the successful prevention of crime. The Department of Public Safety offers a number of crime prevention programs to assist University students, faculty and staff in fighting crime on campus. Questions regarding our Crime Prevention programs should be referred to Lt. Joseph Santa Ana at 368-5010.

The Department of Public Safety provides functions and services not included in this overview. If you encounter a situation that affects the safety or security of the college community in any way, or if you need assistance, call 368-5069. In addition, you may contact the office if no other department is available or can satisfactorily respond to a request for needed service. The dispatcher will attempt to place you in contact with the appropriate department.

HELPFUL CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
If a crime is to be committed, the offender must have the desire, ability and opportunity to commit the crime. Law enforcement can do little to remove the offender's desire and ability to commit crimes, but together YOU AND I can remove the element of opportunity. THIS IS CRIME PREVENTION.

You can remove the temptation of opportunity
by taking a few simple precautions.

Protect Your Property

1.       Lock your door every time you leave even for short trips down the hall (for instance, to visit another office or to use the restroom).
 

2.       Don't leave valuables lying out in the open.
 

3.       Engrave your driver's license number on all valuable property. Cable lock all valuable equipment.
 

4.       Record the serial numbers and brand names of all property.

PROTECT YOURSELF
Walking:

1.       When possible, avoid walking alone or walk in areas where other people are present.
 

2.       Walk facing traffic; if a driver stops and ask for directions, avoid getting too near the car.
 

3.       Stay in well-lighted areas and avoid shortcuts, vacant lots and other deserted areas.
 

4.       Never accept a ride or hitchhike.
 

5.       Report suspicious people or circumstances. Stop a crime before it happens.
 

6.       Offer your confidential assistance to the Office of Public Safety.

Driving:

1.       Never pick up hitchhikers.
 

2.       Make certain you have enough gas to get to your destination.
 

3.       Park in well-lighted areas. When returning to your car, have your car keys ready so you can enter without delay, and look into the back seat.
 

4.       If possible, travel on well-lighted streets and avoid isolated back roads and shortcuts.
 

5.       Never leave your house keys with your car keys at a service station or parking lot.
 

6.       Keep car doors locked at all times and car windows rolled up when possible.
 

7.       If you have car trouble, raise the hood, get back inside and lock all doors. If anybody stops to offer help, do not get out of your car. Roll the window down only enough to convey your message and ask them to call the police. Keep a "SEND POLICE" sign and some change for telephone calls inside your vehicle.

Children:

1.       Children should be made aware of the dangers of accepting rides from, talking to or opening doors for strangers.
 

2.       Children should be encouraged to talk to their parents should a problem occur with a stranger, friend or relative.
 

3.       Children should know a safe, well-traveled route to and from school, avoiding isolated areas.
 

4.       Teenaged baby-sitters should accept jobs only with people they know.
 

5.       Baby-sitters should be instructed to call the police if anything suspicious happens. They should never open the door to strangers.
 

6.       The sitter's parents should be called at the end of the evening to inform them that the sitter will be home shortly.
 

7.       Parents should be well-versed in their children's activities.

Vehicle Security
Theft of and from vehicles is a common problem in urban areas across the country. Always try to park in a well-lighted area. Do not leave valuables of any kind in your car where they are visible from outside; place them in the trunk or remove them from the vehicle altogether. Consider marking all electronic accessories and removable parts with your driver's license number.

If your vehicle is stolen or misplaced, it is important that you know the vehicle license plate number; memorize it. Thefts of campus parking permits can be avoided by removing them from view when you exit the vehicle when parked off campus; most of these are taken from vehicles left unlocked or with windows left "cracked."

Personal Property: Books, Backpacks, Purses, Etc.
In recent years the cost of college course textbooks has increased dramatically. In most cases they retain a cash value after they have been purchased new. Because of this, books and backpacks have become targets of thieves who know they can convert the books to cash. A book can be replaced; notes, handouts, etc. are difficult to replace, especially right before a big examination.

Never leave your books, purses, backpacks or any other item of personal property unattended, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. Mark the top, bottom, and sides of the pages with your name. After you've made certain you have the correct texts, pick a page number, and write your name as close to the spine of the book on the same page in every volume you own. Write your name and driver license number inside backpacks or book bags in several inconspicuous locations.

Malicious, Threatening, Harassing Telephone Calls
Unwanted phone calls can be disruptive, disturbing, and they can create unneeded stress for the person receiving them. In many cases the victim of a threatening or otherwise illegal phone call knows or suspects who the caller is. Persons receiving any malicious, threatening or harassing call(s) are encouraged to contact the Office of Public Safety to file a report.

In many cases callers receive satisfaction in knowing that they have startled their victims. They desire a reaction. The best way to handle these unwanted calls is to terminate them immediately upon realizing you don't care to speak to them. Don't respond or encourage them in any way. This will, in many cases, deny them the reaction they want and usually cause them to stop calling.

In some cases it may be feasible to place a "trace" on the victim's phone to identify the number the suspect is calling from. The phone service provider is actually the entity which installs the "trace," but they must have a request from a law enforcement agency. The police can only place this "trace" on the phone of a victim from whom they have a signed report and request.

The police will work with the phone company to identify the caller if he/she continues to call after a trace has been placed on the victim's phone line. For further information on this topic, see the Public Safety brochure "Malicious Phone Calls."

Bicycle Security
Bicycle theft is a problem at colleges and universities and Kingsborough's campus is not an exception. The extent of this problem can be reduced if bicycle owners take a few simple and relatively inexpensive precautions.

It only takes a few seconds to steal a bicycle that is not properly secured. Poor quality locks, chains and cables can be easily defeated by a thief; you get what you pay for. At a minimum, locking devices should be made of hardened steel; the word "HARDENED" will be stamped into the metal of locks, chains, and security devices made of this material.

U-shaped locking devices made of hardened steel and employing tubular keyways are available through most bicycle vendors. These devices have proven to deter theft effectively.

Locking equipment should be used to secure the frame and both wheels to a bike rack or suitable stationary object if possible. On campus, bicycles are not permitted in any building and should be secured at custom bike racks located at the entrances of buildings.