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Public Safety > Crime Prevention Tips

Take a Common Sense Approach to Safety

Walking Around . . . Anywhere

Moving about the campus or most places for that matter, is something most people take for granted. While the campus is a safe place, it is not crime-proof. Therefore, take a common sense approach when walking on or off campus by:

Stay alert and tuned-in to your surroundings.
Planning your trip in advance and using well-traveled routes.
Avoiding dark or deserted areas.
Avoiding short cuts through alleys, parks, or vacant lots, especially at night.
Avoiding being maneuvered into alleyways, doorways, or cars.
Being aware of those around you. If you think you are being followed, cross the street, change direction, or go to a public place where others are present.
Never accepting a ride or get too close to a car or van if someone is asking for directions.
Carrying a whistle or some other type of alarm. This can serve as a reminder to exercise caution, and can alert someone in the area that you need help.
Calling Public Safety for an escort to your campus destination if you feel uneasy about traveling alone.

DON’T BE A TARGET

Walk with confidence and always keep moving. Avoid talking on a cell phone or wearing headphones.
Try to walk with someone else from place to place, especially at night.
Use well lighted walkways and keep your purse under your arm and wallet in your front pocket.
Don’t carry too many packages. Keep one hand free.
Plan ahead so you don’t have to use an ATM. If you must use one, select one located in a busy area.
Always have your keys handy.
Carry enough cash to call a cab if you are in an unfamiliar area or neighborhood.
In case of danger, yell “get away”, thrown down your books or anything else you have and run to an occupied area.
Don’t stand and fight. It is not worth the possibility of getting hurt.
If you are physically attacked, kick, punch, pull hair, bite, poke eyes, yell and scream. Do whatever you can to get away fast or draw attention to yourself.

On the Go – On the Bus – On the Train

Taking public transportation is economical and fun. If you are planning to use these services, you can be safe if you take a common sense approach by:

Choosing a seat near the bus driver or train conductor.
Choosing an aisle seat.
Avoiding isolated bus or train stops. Use a stop that's well lit and near a business that is open where other people are present.
Trying to use these services during peak travel periods.
Having your money or cards in hand so you won't fumble with your wallet or purse.
Avoiding unnecessary conversation with strangers.

Never give out any personal information

DON’T BE A TARGET

Stay alert! Don’t fall asleep!
Keep your belongings in your lap and hold on firmly to your purse, briefcase, or backpack. Don't put belongings on the seat beside you. Keep them in your lap or wedge them between your feet.
Be prepared, and know transportation schedules and routes so you aren't forced to wait longer than necessary.
Move away from people who appear intoxicated, even if this means going to another stop, moving to another seat, or moving to another car.
Tuck necklaces inside your clothing and turn rings around so that valuable stones aren't easily visible.

Driving Around . . . Anywhere

Driving around the North Shore and Chicago seeing the sights is very enjoyable. When doing so, you should take a common sense approach to safety by:

Driving with your doors locked and windows up as high as comfortably possible.
Knowing where you are going.
Parking in well-lighted, well-traveled areas. Avoid isolated locations. Consider your return time when choosing a parking location, as it may be dark when you depart.
Using a steering wheel lock or car alarm.
Always locking your car and taking your keys with you.

DON’T BE A TARGET

Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
Keep your packages in your car out of view. Don’t keep things like purses, briefcases, or backpacks visible.
Be alert to strangers hanging around the parking area.
When returning to you car, check all sides before entering. Have your keys in your hand and ready before arriving at your car. Check your front and back seat before you get in the car.
If a car bumps you from behind, be careful. Stay in your car and wait for the other person to get out of their car. If you sense suspicious behavior, pull away and call the police immediately.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood and if possible, stay inside your car. If someone offers to help, do not open the window or door. Ask them to call the police or roadside assistance for you. Do not accept a ride.

Going Green?

If using a bicycle as your means of transportation, use these tips:

Wear a bike helmet at all times. The most serious bike injuries are to the head.
Have and use both front and rear lights.
You may have right-of-way but always let cars and people go first. Slow down and check traffic at all corners.
Keep both hands on the handle bars except when using turn signals.
Walk across busy streets.
Stay off busy streets.

Note: The City of Lake Forest requires that all bicycles within their jurisdiction be properly licensed. Lake Forest bicycle licenses are $2 and available at the Department of Public Safety. Once licensed, proof of ownership is filed on record.

DON’T BE A TARGET

While Kryptonite locks may be vulnerable to picking, they are better than cable-type locks and harder to defeat quickly.
Use a U-lock with a flat key to secure the frame of your bike to the bike rack, and secure a tire if possible. If you can, use an additional cable-type lock to secure your tires and the frame to the bike rack.
Do not place the locks close to the ground (or other hard object) where a thief can easily smash it with a hammer.
Secure your bike to bike racks only.

At Home

Whether you live on campus or off, you can protect yourself and your residence if you take a common sense approach by:

Keeping your doors and windows locked, even if you are at home.
Prohibiting strangers from entering your home, room or apartment building.
Being alert to strangers loitering around the building. If you see something suspicious and live on campus, call the Department of Public Safety. If you live off campus, call 911.
Knowing your roommates, neighbors, and their friends.
Never attaching your name and address or Identification card to your key ring. Your apartment or room key should be on a separate ring from your car key.
Never leaving a spare key under a mat, above the door frame, or anywhere else that somebody can find it.
Minimizing the amount of expensive jewelry and cash you keep in your apartment or room. Rent a safety deposit box in a bank or open a bank account as an alternative.
Never leaving foods to cook on a stove or in an oven when you are not at home.

Theft Prevention

Theft is often a crime of opportunity. Eliminate the opportunity, you avoid the theft.

Don't leave personal property (laptops, purses, backpacks, calculators, etc.) unattended in classrooms, study areas, or libraries.
If you advertise something for sale, do not put your address on it.
If you want to meet someone you are buying something from, or selling something to, do so in a public place.
Identity theft is a serious issue. Protect your personal information. Don't give anyone your date of birth, Social Security number or other important, personal information.
Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call.
Only carry cards and IDs you need. Leave the rest at home.
Do not carry anything that has your Social Security number on it.
Look for strange charges on your bank or credit card statement.
Shred important documents, such as bank statements and bills, when you are finished with them.

Sexual Assault and Date Rape Prevention

College-aged women are at the highest risk of being victims of date rape (non-consensual sexual intercourse by a friend or acquaintance). Alcohol or date rape drugs, which make it difficult or impossible to give consent or to fend off an aggressor, are often factors. Both men and women should be aware of the risks and take measures to protect themselves and their friends.

Information for Women

Alcohol is a factor in nearly three-fourths of campus rapes. It lowers your inhibitions and makes it harder to make good decisions and assert yourself. If you choose to drink, do not drink to excess.
Date rape drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, and Ecstasy are odorless and tasteless and can easily be added to your drink without your knowledge. When you go out, get your own drink and keep it with you. If you suspect someone has put something in your drink, do not drink it.
Go to parties with a group of friends and look out for each other. Leave together.
Do not go to a room or secluded area with someone you do not know well.
Do not leave a party with someone you just met.
If someone is forcing you to do something you do not want to do, clearly and directly say "no" or "stop" unless you think that you will be physically harmed in doing so.
Tell your friends about your plans for the evening and when you will be home.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, leave or call for help.
If you are sexually assaulted, you should report the crime. To do so, you can call 911 or Public Safety at x5555.
You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible. Go to the nearest hospital where a doctor will examine you and take evidence; do not change clothes, bathe, or use the bathroom before going to the hospital.
You should also consider contacting the Counseling Center at x5240 for help in the healing process.

Information for Men

When someone says "stop," stop. Don't force anyone to drink too much or perform sexual acts if they don't want to.
Don't take advantage of someone who has clearly had too much to drink and is unable to make wise decisions about sex or to give verbal consent.
If you are unclear about how far someone wants to go, ask. Find out in a non-threatening way how far they want to go.
If consensual sex would not be possible without alcohol, don't do it. Having sex with someone too incapacitated to consent is rape and you can be prosecuted.
Date rape is a crime and you can be arrested and charged. You may also face consequences from the College, including disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.

DON’T BE A TARGET

Never leave your drink unattended.
Don't accept open beverages from anyone but a bartender or other official, professional server.
Try to attend bars and parties with a group of friends, arranging beforehand to watch each other's drinks.
Be alert to the behavior of friends. If a friend appears "disproportionately inebriated" in relation to the amount of alcohol they have consumed, they may be in danger.
If you suspect that a friend has been drugged, call 911 or get them to the nearest medical facility for attention.

Educational Programs

Lake Forest College presents numerous programs throughout the year regarding alcohol awareness, sexual assault, and other issues pertinent to collegiate audiences. Following is information on some of the ongoing programs at Lake Forest.

AIDS Awareness Week

Alcohol 101
An interactive computer experience administered by the Counseling Center to students and student organizations to provide information about alcohol and its effects.

Alcohol Awareness Week
A week-long series of educational and entertaining events to promote awareness of alcohol issues and provide healthy alternative programs for the campus community.

GHB/Rohypnol Awareness Programs

Mock-Tails

Peer Educators
A student organization in which students are trained to provide information and support to other students and to develop campus-wide programs regarding the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs as well as information regarding related health issues.

Safe Spring Break
Series of programs developed to provide health and safety information prior to Spring Break.

Sex and Health Trivia

Take Back the Night

Women's History Month

*Note: For additional information on any of these events, contact the Office of Student Affairs at x5200.