Crime Prevention

Crime in Your Community
Crime in the Workplace
Domestic Violence in the Workplace
Personal Safety

Crime in Your Community

Crime prevention begins the moment you step out of your home. Awareness of your surroundings is the key to avoid becoming another statistic in your community. Whether you're 18 or 80, the best weapons against street crime are alertness and common sense.

There are THREE important tips to remember:

• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

• Stand tall and walk confidently. Criminals key into people who project a low self-image.

• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave immediately.

Criminals look for any opportunity that they may attain in order to gain advantage over you. Crimes of opportunity can be reduced if you remain alert and aware of your surroundings.

Crime in the Workplace

No mechanical devices (alarms, video cameras, etc.) can be effective without the cooperation of the people they protect. Alertness, common sense precautions, and concern for co-workers are keys to preventing crime in the workplace.

Tips for a safer workplace:

• If you plan to work late or arrive early, try to correlate your schedule with a co-worker's schedule.

• If you are working late without a fellow co-worker, be sure to ask University Police for an escort to your vehicle when your work is completed.

• Never leave anything of value unattended or unsecured. If you leave your office, be sure to lock your door behind you.

• If you notice any suspicious persons or vehicles, be sure to notify University Police immediately.

Domestic Violence in the Workplace

Domestic violence in the workplace is an issue rarely discussed on the job until it occurs. Employers must be able to recognize the signs of domestic violence and offer assistance in any manner possible. At LSUHSC-NO, we have an excellent Campus Employee Assistance Program (C.A.P.) that can aid employees and students in many ways. A counselor is on call 24 hours a day to assist in time of crisis. If you feel that you have an emergency or need immediate assistance at any time, contact the counselor on call at 568-8888.

Domestic violence at work can prove to be costly to both the employer and employee. While employers may suffer financial losses, employees additionally endure mental and physical abuse. The employee's experience can have residual effects on the job. Lost productivity on the job, increased absenteeism/use of sick days, fear, and distraction are just a few of the costs associated with battered workers. Threats from the batterer while the employee is working should not be taken lightly. This type of act threatens not only the employee, but co-workers as well. Any type of threat should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately. Failure to do so could result in great bodily harm to many people.

Tips to help a battered co-worker:

• If a co-worker informs you that this is happening to them, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities, even if you must violate your co-worker's trust. An angry co-worker is better than a battered co-worker.

• Reassure the co-worker that help is available.

• Do not take your co-worker's complaints lightly.

• Be supportive of your co-worker. He or she will need a friend.

Personal Safety

Law enforcement agencies alone can't prevent crime. Crime prevention takes the combined cooperation of both citizens and law enforcement personnel. Although we cannot make the criminal's decision for them, we can make their decision to commit a crime much harder. By taking away or minimizing any opportunities, we stand a greater chance of not becoming victims.

Here are a few tips that can help you:

• Again, be alert and aware of your surroundings.

• Avoid walking alone whenever possible.

• If you have to walk alone at night, try to remain in well-lit areas.

• Inform friends and/or family of your planned time of arrival.

• Try to walk with others or request a police escort where available. Remember that there is safety in numbers.

In closing, remember that crime prevention begins with each and every one of us. If we do not help ourselves become more aware and alert, then we will have a difficult time fighting crime. Most street criminals like to prey on the weak, the old, and the lonely. They are criminals of opportunity. When we remove the opportunities they seek, we have a much better chance of maintaining our security.

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