Stay alert, help prevent crimes
The recent disappearances of three people highlight the need for student safety awareness.
SAFETY TIPS TO LIVE BY
Doors should be made of metal or wood
Do not prop open the door to a locked campus building or residence hall
Close curtains or blinds at night
Always lock doors to dorm rooms or apartments
Use solid deadbolt locks and make sure peepholes have been installed
Bushes and shrubbery around a house or apartment door should be cut below
window height to reduce the risk of
attackers hiding
Apartments located above the first floor are safer
Park in well-lit and populated areas
Never accept a ride from someone you have met recently
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and ability to express decisions
Alcohol or drugs play a role in 79 percent of sexual assault incidents on college
campuses
- Information provided by the University Police Department’s Web site
Authorities continue to search for Cayle Bywater, 29, a University graduate student, whose family said Monday in a news conference she may have been kidnapped. Bywater was last seen the afternoon of Dec. 29 in Memorial Park.
The body of Meredith Emerson, a 24-year-old University alumna, was found Monday evening, and the whereabouts of Justin Gaines, a Gainesville State College student reported missing in early November, remain unknown.
Authorities believe Emerson was kidnapped in Vogel State Park. Gaines was last seen at Wild Bill’s bar in suburban Atlanta.
The University Office of Security lists three variables affecting crime on campus: ability, desire and opportunity.
“Being alert when you are out is important and although it is good to travel in numbers, that sometimes gives a false sense of security because you can get separated,” said Larry Gourdine, relationship and sexual violence prevention coordinator at the Office of Violence and Prevention.
The University Police Department works to thwart crime and has a Crime Prevention Bureau, whose goal is to educate people through a heads-up, common sense approach to personal safety, according to its Web site.
The bureau has a number of programs, including self-defense and personal safety for women.
“We rely on organizations on campus to set up a day when they want us to come in,” said Sgt. Lance Tipton, who is in charge of crime prevention with University police.
The class has a one-hour lecture component and a four-hour optional fight component.
“The whole premise is trying to teach someone not to fight to win, but fight to get away,” said Tipton. “The fight class teaches strikes, basic kicks and how to throw a punch.”
The program, which has taught personal safety for the last nine years, aims at preventing the incidence of sexual assault.
Its four-pronged approach emphasizes alertness, prevention, precaution and preparation.
Participants are updated on the latest statistics, sexual assault methods and available safety gadgets.
The Office of Violence and Prevention also provides information about safety with events, such as stalking awareness in January and spring break safety in March.
Gourdine’s office offers practical advice for students on safety.
“Downtown is a haven for opportunists and if you feel threatened or uncomfortable by someone’s approach, take it seriously,” said Gourdine.
Gourdine stresses confidence and preparation are essential in minimizing chances of being a victim.
“Having a plan of action ahead of time is important with numbers ready on speed dial, and give off an appearance of confidence,” said Gourdine.
For more information on hosting a workshop call the Crime Prevention Center at (706) 542-0411 or (706) 542-0104.
