4 Ways to Be Safe on Campus

By Ashley Paskill on September 8, 2017

Anyone who asks Temple students where they go to school usually gets the same reaction: great school in a tough neighborhood. The truth is, crime can happen anywhere. Just in Center City Philadelphia, there were two bank robberies in two days. Crime can happen anywhere.

However, knowing how to keep you and your valuables safe can make all the difference.

Walk with someone you know and trust

The statement, “There’s safety in numbers,” is true. Walking in a pair or a group can make you safer. Multiple people means you will have more chance of witnesses, upping the chances of the criminal being caught. Temple is not too bad during the day, but it is definitely better to be safe. If you cannot find someone to walk with, especially at night, the Temple police officers have a walking escort program where a security officer will walk you to your destination for free.

Stay on lit walkways

Staying in well-lit areas when walking around allows you to see what and who is around you. This allows you to make decisions about where to walk and where to avoid walking. Do not wander into areas that are not lit since you will not be able to prepare for attack as quickly as if you were in a lit area, thus increasing your chances for injury. Walking on lit paths allows you to be prepared since you can assess situations sooner than in complete darkness.

Be aware of your surroundings

Look around to see what is happening where you are walking and if you see something or someone that is suspicious, contact campus police. Avoid having your face buried in your phone so that you can be prepared for whatever may arise. Only use your phone if you are making or taking phone calls. Again, walking in well-lit areas, which is a concern at night, will help you be prepared since you can see what is happening.

Keep your valuables safe

If possible, leave anything super valuable at home or in a safe place in your car. In cases where you need valuables on you physically, take extra caution. Keep them in your pockets if possible since this reduces the chance of them being stolen since you can see that someone is trying to take them. If you do not have pockets or the items do not all fit, carry a safe and secure bag with you and do not, under any circumstance, let it out of your sight.