Crime Prevention
The most critical element of any crime prevention
program is the active participation of all community members.
You are the key element in preventing your victimization.
The commission of any crime requires three
essential elements: (1) the ability of the offender, (2) the
desire of the offender, and (3) the opportunity for the offender
to act. Of these three elements, only "opportunity" is affected
by the outside intervention of crime prevention programs.
This page will offer you tips aimed at preventing your victimization.
These tips will be changed periodically so be sure to bookmark
this page for future access.
One program that runs continuously is our "Silent
Witness" Program. This web based program allows you to anonymously
(if you desire) report crime tips to the police. The report
seeks any information you might possess relevant to crimes
committed on or off campus. We will follow up on any leads
received via "Silent Witness."
Crime Prevention Tips (Preventing Theft on Campus)
1. Keep cash, checks, credit cards, and books
with you at all times. Never leave them unattended even for
a brief moment.
2. Write name and student ID number, in
pen, on the inside of your books.
3. Keep your car locked at all times to prevent
theft of stereos, tapes and CD players.
4. When not in use, store computers, lab and
audiovisual equipment in a locked office or classroom.
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS
Florida Gulf Coast
University is a public institution and is open to the public
during the day and evening hours when classes are in session.
During the times that the University is officially closed,
University buildings are generally locked.
The University Police and Safety Department provides
regular patrol of buildings and parking lots.
While University
campuses are generally safe places, there are no guarantees
that you won’t become the victim of a crime.
Criminals select their victims based upon their desire,
their ability, and the opportunity to fulfill their desire.
We (the community and the police) can to do little to
effect the desires and abilities of criminals. We can, however, act on the opportunity that
is necessary for the completion of criminal activity. The following suggestions can help you reduce the opportunity and
make you less vulnerable:
Þ Keep your doors and windows locked.
Þ Do not admit strangers. Do not admit maintenance or repair persons without verifying their
identity. If you are
suspicious, contact the police.
Þ Lower shades or close drapes/curtains
after dark.
Þ Be wary of inviting casual acquaintances
into your residence. In
over half of all reported rapes, the women knew their attacker.
Þ Leave lights on when you go out at night. Inexpensive timers can be purchased and used
to convey a sense of occupancy.
Þ Have your keys ready when moving from
one destination to the next.
Apartment complexes,
townhouses, condominium communities, and other multi-family
dwellings pose unique security problems because of the temporary
nature of many residents of lease/rental property.
Here are a few tips:
Þ Have locks re-keyed when moving into
a previously rented residence or after keys have been lost or
stolen.
Þ Deadbolt locks, if not already in place,
should be installed on all exterior doors including the one from the garage into the
residence. Deadbolt
locks can be either single or double cylinder but should have
at least a one inch throw (bolt extends 1” into frame).
Þ Install locks or protective devices
on windows, including second floor windows.
Þ Do not prop open resident hall doors.
This is an open invitation to a criminal.
Þ Lock your office whenever you leave.
Þ Keep purses, wallets, and other valuables
in a locked desk or cabinet.
Þ
Report any suspicious
person(s) loitering
in your area.
Self-protection
is the use of common sense actions.
It means keeping alert to your environment; not taking
chances; being safety conscious at all times; being alert for
dangerous situations and suspicious persons; taking precautions
in your residence, while walking/jogging, driving, or using
public transportation; knowing what to do if you’re being followed;
and knowing what to do if you become a victim.
Learn how to protect yourself.
Call law enforcement
immediately. Even a five-minute delay in reporting a crime can substantially
reduce the chance of catching the criminal.
On campus, dial 590-1911 from any campus telephone to
report an emergency. Off campus, in Lee County, dial 911.
Get medical attention immediately. The primary purpose of a medical examination
following a rape is to check for injuries and the presence of
sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy (as a result of the
rape). The secondary purpose of an examination is
to aid the police investigation and legal proceedings through
the recovery of evidence.
Don’t bathe, douche or brush your
teeth. Bathing
or douching (brushing your teeth if oral sex is involved) is
understandably the first thing you might what to do but don’t.
You might literally be washing away valuable evidence. Wait until after the medical examination.
Save your clothing. It’s okay to change your clothes but save what
you were wearing. Your
clothing could also be valuable evidence.
Place each item of clothing into separate paper bags
if possible; if not, a single large bag will do.
Report the incident to the police. It is up to you, but reporting a rape is not
the same as prosecuting a rape. Rapists, even acquaintance rapists, are repeat offenders. Law enforcement can only apprehend offenders
when they know about the crime.
If you are the victim
of a sexual assault and decide not to notify law enforcement,
it is still important that you seek medical attention and contact
a victim support resource. On or off campus you can call the Rape Crisis
Hot line (939-3112).
It pays to prosecute. Being a witness in court isn’t as much trouble
as you may think. Many
communities have programs to help victims and witnesses with
transportation, day care services and scheduling of cases.
There is also a victim compensation program available
to assist with money issues.
For more information on our Crime Prevention
Classes, please call Ofc. Steve Engle at 590-1907, or the
Police Dispatch Center at 590-1900. You may also e-mail Ofc.
Engle directly at sengle@fgcu.edu
Silent Witness
Program: The Silent Witness Program may be accessed by calling
590-1906. This program allows you to report information directly
to the police and, if you choose, remain anonymous.
