Police Corner Headlines

Staying Safe On and Off Campus

August 27, 2009

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department wants to welcome everyone to UNL. To start you off, we want to share some frequently asked questions about campus safety, asked by parents and new students:

Which Parking lot/parking garage is the safest to park in?
Statistically there is no one parking lot or garage that is safer than the other. In 2008 no assaults were reported in a parking lot or parking garage. The lots are maintained to maximize safety for all those who use them. When parking, take note of all the lighting around the parking areas that has been enhanced throughout the years to keep you and your property safer.

Which dorm is the safest on campus?
The Residence Directors (RDs) and Residence Assistances (RA's), along with the University Police's Community Service Officers who patrol the residence halls during the overnight hours receive extensive training and are there for the student. University Housing goes to great lengths to keep the students safe in whichever dorm they choose, including the use of many cameras in and around the housing units. There are many things to consider when choosing which residence hall to live in. Start by figuring out which campus you may be spending most of your time on, then consider other activities, where your friends are staying, do you want to be close to others that you already know, and check out the University Housing web site to learn a little about each hall http://housing.unl.edu/.

I have a daughter/son who works off campus and must walk back to campus in the dark. What should she/he do to be safe on their way back?
Plan ahead. Have their cell phones pre programmed for 472-2222 (Dial 2 for Blue) along with 911. The University Police may also be contacted via text. The text number is 41513 followed by unlpd and what is needed. Have your daughter or son walk the route they are most likely to take at night with a couple of friends. During their walk they will want to be aware of lighting, dark areas, and locations of emergency phones on campus. Encourage them to consider options when deciding on what route they want to take. Your son or daughter should always let a friend know their work schedule and call that friend if they are going to be late.

For their personal safety, I am thinking of having my daughter/son carry pepper spray. Is this a good idea?
Unless your daughter/son has grown up around pepper spray and they are extremely proficient in its use, we recommend not carrying it. Remember, anything they carry can be taken from them and used against them. We recommend a loud noise making device such as a whistle. This will prompt more attention to your son or daughter and a bad person doesn't like the attention.

Are there areas in the City of Lincoln where my son/daughter should avoid?
For its size, the City of Lincoln is one of the safest cities in the United States. If you wish to view crime statistics for the City of Lincoln, we recommend viewing the Lincoln Police Department's web site at: http://ims.lincoln.ne.gov/CrimeViewCommunity/default.asp

If you have any safety questions or concerns we encourage you to contact the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department by phone at 472-2222 (Dial 2 for Blue) or by e-mail at police@unl.edu

With a change of seasons brings Severe Weather:

March 26, 2009

IN THE EVENT OF A TORNADO WARNING:

1. Lincoln/Lancaster County Emergency Management will activate emergency sirens upon confirmation of a tornado. The duration of sirens is 3 minutes. All University personnel are directed to seek shelter upon activation of the sirens. It is not safe to leave the shelter until local radio and television stations announce that the warning has expired.
2. Where available, the University may provide supplemental notification of Lincoln/Lancaster County Emergency Management tornado warnings through one of the following methods:
• Amplified voice announcements over the public address system.
• Multicast to radio user groups
• UNL Alert
• A pager held by the Building Maintenance Reporter.
• Other approved devices

SAFETY PROCEDURES

INDOORS

1. Move quickly to the tornado shelters listed on posters in university buildings.
2. Do not use elevators.
3. Stay away from windows.
4. If a tornado strikes, help avoid telephone overloads. Do not use telephones (including cell phones) except for emergency.

OUTDOORS

1. Seek indoor shelter if possible.
2. Parked motor vehicles are unsafe. Seek indoor shelter.
3. If an indoor shelter is not available and there is not time for escape, lie flat in a ditch or low spot.
4. If you are on flat ground and are caught in the path of a tornado, always move at right angles to its path.

Visit the UNL Tornado Warning Policy at:
http://bf.unl.edu/policepolicy/TornadoWarning.shtml

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