Safety Message
April 3, 2012
To All Students, Faculty and Staff:
I would like to express my appreciation to all those who attended the town hall Meeting yesterday concerning campus and student safety. There were many good comments and suggestions shared at the meeting. As a follow-up to the meeting, I will recap some of the additional safety measures that have been put in place and to review safety measures that each of you can take to help protect yourself.
- Additional police officers and patrols have been added to the campus and to areas where students live off campus.
- Additional temporary lighting is being installed on campus in areas where students frequently travel.
- The night shuttle service has been expanded to include Friday through Sunday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. You may access the night shuttle by calling 334/697-0051. ยท The University is offering a $5,000 reward in addition to a $5,000 reward offered by the City of Troy for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the assault cases.
- The University will be offering a self-defense (RAD) training course to students. Specific dates and registration information will be sent in a follow-up email.
- Counseling services are available to any student who may wish to speak with a counselor. You may contact the Counseling Center by calling 334/670-3700.
While the safety and security of the campus and other areas will be enhanced, everyone needs to take this on as a personal responsibility. Below are some safety tips to incorporate into your daily activities:
- Never walk alone after dark. Always travel in pairs or a group.
- Always travel in well lighted areas, even in groups.
- Always keep your door lock and make sure you know who is on the other side before opening it. If you do not know the person or they do not identify themselves, please call the police at 670-1999 or 566-0500. If you feel you are in imminent danger, call 911.
- Let people know where you are going and when you plan to return when going out.
- Keep your vehicle locked and secure at all times and check the vehicle before getting in to it.
- Report suspicious people or behavior to the police immediately. The smallest amount of information could be the most important.
- If you find yourself alone and need an escort to your vehicle or another building, please contact the police department for an escort.
In closing, please continue to be vigilant about safety both for yourself and others. Please let us know of any safety concerns that you may have by emailing or calling our office. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Herbert Reeves
Dean of Student Services
Troy University
334/670-3202
hreeves@troy.edu
Personal preparedness is a critical component to individual safety. At Troy University, we urge our students, faculty and staff to take a few, common sense steps to increasing their own level of safety:
- Know your campus. Familiarize yourself with the services offered and where things are located on your campus.
- Don’t talk to strangers. Our parents admonished us, we remind our students to be suspicious of people who they don’t know. If you are unsure about talking with a person, just walk away.
- Lock your doors. This works whether it’s your car, your dorm room or an off-campus home or apartment. Lock up, and don’t open the door for anyone you do not know.
- Maintain “positive control.” Keep your personal items out of sight, in a secured location or with you at all times. Leaving items unattended invites problems.
- Use the “Buddy System.” Don’t go alone. Go in groups, or pairs when you’re out and about.
- Happy Trails. When you are going out for the evening, a weekend or just across town, let someone else know where you are going, with whom and when to expect you back. Let that person know when you change your plans.
- Stay “Eyes On.” Report suspicious persons or situations to police immediately. If you need to, dial 911. Stay alert and aware of your immediate environment. If you feel threatened in any way, call 911.
By taking these simple actions, we can partner to make the TROY experience even better.
