UCLA.edu

Experts advise student caution

LAPD and UCPD officers recommend safe practices to follow on and around campus

• Carolyn McGough, Daily Bruin senior staff
• Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008

It’s the first Thursday night of the quarter – a popular party night for many UCLA students. But it’s important to keep safety a priority, even while partying hard throughout the year.

“Studies from the Department of Justice actually show that there are an average of 526,000 – in a year – crimes against college students, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault and simply assault,” said Tony Newsom, a Los Angeles Police Department officer and author of the book “College Safety Tips.”

There are approximately 1,441 student victims per day and 60 per hour in the United States, according to CollegeSafetyNews.com.

On average, 32 to 33 percent of college students become victims of date rape or some sort of domestic violence during their college careers, Newsom said.

“Students need to get in the habit of thinking ‘safety first,’” he added. “Not that a student needs to walk around in fear, but they need to be alert because some crimes are preventable.”

Newsom said a lack of knowledge of on- and off-campus crime is the No. 1 reason why students become victims.  The U.S. House of Representatives has designated September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month, calling on state and national authorities to review campus safety measures, according to the college safety news Web site.

Newsom said new students at UCLA and other college campuses are excited to be on a different campus, and they have less understanding of which sort of crimes to be cautious of.  Newsom, who has worked for nearly 30 years in public safety, said he has compiled safety tips that no students should be without to help them lead a safe life at a university.

“Always park and walk in well-lit areas,” he said.

“Criminals don’t just go rob someone or mug someone. ... Their No. 1 goal is to stay incognito; their goal is not to get caught.”  He said students should keep their cell phones in their hands and be prepared to call a friend, cab service or the police when they are out at night.

Luis De Vivero, a crime prevention unit officer of UCPD, said it’s important that students have their cell phones programmed with the UCPD number, since UCPD can often reach Westwood emergencies the fastest.

In addition, UCLA students can call a Community Service Officer for an escort service until 1 a.m.  They can also call UCPD to report a crime, according to the UCPD Web site.

“Use common sense, and don’t walk alone,” said Kristi Godines, a UCPD crime analyst. “We have an evening van service.” 

Godines said it is important to stay alert at all times while walking around Westwood and on-campus.

“If you’re walking alone, don’t use earphones,” she said.

“And generally be aware of your surroundings.”

Newsom said once students are at the party they are attending, they must watch their drinks carefully.

Some popular drugs, he said, can render a victim unconscious for seven or eight hours.

Alcohol consumption in general must be monitored carefully, according to the UCPD Web site.

Students must be aware of how alcohol affects them, and they should act responsibly, according to the site.

Newsom also advises students to never to allow anyone inside of a secure area, such as a dorm or an apartment.

“It seems like a nice gesture, but it’s better to be safe than nice,” he said. “Safety first – you never know, sometimes it can be someone looking for a home invasion.”

Newsom said his profession as an officer has allowed him to observe criminals and crime trends, leading him to think about safety first.

“Learning to think ‘safety first’ is what really empowers someone to lead a safe life,” he said.

“When you’re thinking ‘safety first,’ you’re not scared.”