How to lessen your chance of being a crime victim, and feel safer

Students looking to avoid becoming victims ÷ after a string of sexual assaults last fall and frequent theft on campus ÷ should use common sense, stay aware of their surrounding and lock up their belongings, for starters, campus police said.

Some students are concerned for their safety on campus with two suspects still at large for a string of six sex crimes that occurred during one week last semester.

Bomi Park, a computer-engineering junior, doesnât feel safe on campus, particularly at night.

ăI always walk with my friends at night and I try to drive instead of walk, too,ä she said.

Students who walk alone in dark areas are more vulnerable to attack.

University of Arizona Police Department Sgt. Mike Smith advises students to walk in pairs or groups and stay in well-lit areas.

ăStudents donât need to be paranoid,ä he said. ăBut (be) extra careful, like looking over your shoulder in parking garages and looking at an area before entering.ä

Blue-light emergency phones that directly connect to UAPD are located all over campus.

These emergency phones tell police exactly where the call is coming from, which assists in the reaction time of emergency crews.

More than 120 emergency telephone units can be found in every parking garage, at residence halls, campus buildings and other areas around campus.

SafeRide ÷ a free transportation service around campus that operates at night, and Student Life Line ÷ a free emergency taxi service ÷ are two of the safety programs on campus the Associated Students of the University of Arizona offer.

ASUA is hoping to have both programs operating during the first week of school.

ăWe really want SafeRide to be operational,ä said Jered Mansell, ASUA administrative vice president. ăEven if we only have (a few) drivers to get it going.ä

SafeRide operates Sunday through Thursday, 6:45 p.m. to 12:55 a.m. and will reopen for the school year on Aug. 26.

Theft is the most frequent crime haunting the UA campus, Smith said.

Smith advises students follow a few simple tips to avoid being victims of theft.

ăStudents should really take a common sense approach,ä he said. ăWe ask them to limit the opportunity for thieves by taking caution and care.ä

Students should make sure to always lock bikes and keep an eye on backpacks and personal belongings, Smith advises. Exterior doors should always remain shut ÷ and never be propped open.

Students with cars should make sure the doors are always locked and valuables are not left in the car.

ăItâs important for students to realize that this is a very urban campus,ä said Doug Hartz, student body president. ăA lot of things that were normal at home you may have to reconsider doing.ä

ăTaking general precautions like letting people know where you are going and what you are doing are essential,ä he said.

The ASUA Womenâs Resource Center holds self-defense seminars each semester. The dates are of these workshops will be set once school begins, Mansell said.

ăDonât be afraid to report anything of a suspicious nature,ä said Smith. ăWe preached at orientations that itâs a team effort on all of our parts to keep the campus safe.ä