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 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)

• GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

• Home and Resident Living Areas

• In the Office

• Personal Safety

• If a Crime Does Occur

• What to do if you are raped or sexually assaulted

• Crime Prevention Classes

• Silent Witness Program

• Hazing Prevention

• Report Hazing

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:

Home and Resident Living Areas

• Keep your doors and windows locked.
• Do not admit strangers.  Do not admit maintenance or repair persons without verifying their identity.  If you are suspicious, contact the police.
• Lower shades or close drapes/curtains after dark.
• Be wary of inviting casual acquaintances into your residence.  In over half of all reported rapes, the women knew their attacker.
• Leave lights on when you go out at night.  Inexpensive timers can be purchased and used to convey a sense of occupancy.
• 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:

• Have locks re-keyed when moving into a previously rented residence or after keys have been lost or stolen.
• 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).
• Install locks or protective devices on windows, including second floor windows.
• Do not prop open resident hall doors. This is an open invitation to a criminal.

In the Office

• Lock your office whenever you leave.
• Keep purses, wallets, and other valuables in a locked desk or cabinet.
• Report any suspicious person(s) loitering in your area.

Personal Safety

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.

If a Crime Does Occur

Call law enforcement immediately.  Even a five-minute delay in reporting a crime can substantially reduce the chance of catching the criminal.  For an emergency dial 911, from your cell phone or any campus phone or dial UPD directly at 239-590-1900, to report a crime.

What to do if you are raped or sexually assaulted

• 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 239-939-3112.

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.

Crime Prevention Classes

For more information on our Crime Prevention Classes, please call Ofc. Steve Engle at 239-590-1907, or the Police Dispatch Center at 239-590-1900. You may also e-mail Ofc. Engle directly at sengle@fgcu.edu

Silent Witness Program

The Silent Witness Program may be accessed by calling 239-590-1906. This program allows you to report information directly to the police and, if you choose, remain anonymous.

Hazing Pevention

HazingPevention@FGCU.edu  which will go to:

Julie Gleason                Campus Involvement A&S

Wolfgang Acevedo        Dean Student Affairs

Michele Yovanovich      Dean Student Affairs

Report Hazing

ReportHazing@FGCU.edu   which will go to:

 Michele Yovanovich    Dean Student Affairs

Cindy Lyons                  Dean Student Affairs

Stephen Moore             Cheif Campus Police & Safety