Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention is: the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce it.

Three things are needed for a crime to occur

Crime Prevention’s main goal is to

reduce the opportunity

through awareness and pro-action

INITIATION OF ACTION• Take steps to remove or reduce the risk

• Prepare a safety plan and practice it regularly

• Learn about crime prevention and encourage your peers to do the same

Statistics

Crime in Bemidji (2005): Pop. 13,296

• 1 murder (7.6 per 100,000)

• 11 rapes (84.0 per 100,000)

• 38 assaults (290.1 per 100,000)

• http://www.city-data.com/city/Bemidji-Minnesota.html

Statistics

Crime in Winona (2005): Pop. 26,587

• 0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)

• 3 rape (11.3 per 100,000)

• 22 assaults (82.7 per 100,000)

• http://www.city-data.com/city/Winona-Minnesota.html

Statistics

Crime in Moorhead (2005): Pop. 34,081

• 1 murder (3.0 per 100,000)

• 16 rapes (47.6 per 100,000)

• 37 assaults (110.1 per 100,000)

• http://www.city-data.com/city/Moorhead-Minnesota.html

Statistics

Crime in St. Cloud: Pop. 65,792

• 2 murders (3.1 per 100,000)

• 59 rapes (91.1 per 100,000)

• 156 assaults (241.0 per 100,000)

• http://www.city-data.com/city/St-Cloud-Minnesota.html

Statistics

Crime in Mankato (2005): Pop. 34,976

• 0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)

• 41 rape (118.2 per 100,000)

• 62 assaults (178.8 per 100,000)

• http://www.city-data.com/city/Mankato-Minnesota.html

The following precautions should be

adopted within a cultural/gender context. They will not guarantee

safety, but they will minimize criminal

opportunities.

Personal Safety

Traveling By Foot

• Walk on well lit routes.• Have your keys in hand ready to open a

locked door.• Call for an escort (campus *389* 2111).• When possible let someone you know and

trust aware of your return time and route.• Avoid walking alone at night.• Refrain from taking shortcuts. Walk where

there is plenty of light and traffic.

Traveling By Automobile• Keep gas tank above ½ tank and keep a map in the car.• Park in well lit areas and check for loiterers.• Try to park close to your destination.• When getting into a parked car, check the backseat and floor for

strangers. • Keep windows up and doors locked.• In traffic, leave an adequate space between your vehicle and the

vehicle in front. If someone approaches and tries to enter your vehicle, honk the horn and drive away.

• Be cautious of individuals offering help.• Do Not stop to assist stranded motorists. Locate a telephone and

call for help.• Do Not pick up hitchhikers.• If your vehicle gets a flat tire, drive until you reach a well lit area.

Suspect Someone Is Following You In Your Vehicle?

• Drive to the nearest police or fire station and ask for help.

• Drive to an open business and call the police.

• Do Not leave your vehicle unless you are sure you can get into a building safely.

• Do Not drive to your residence.

If Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled

• Activate the hazards.

• Raise the hood.

• Be cautious of individuals who stop to help.

• Ask stranger through a closed window to call the police.

• Video: Travelling Alone In America

Safety At Home or Apartment• During darkness have lights at all entrances.• Have good locks with secondary locks on windows and doors. Use

them!• Put only the first letter of your first name on your mailbox and in

telephone directories.• Have a male record the message on your answering machine.• Do Not open the door for strangers for any reason.• Do Not let strangers in your residence to use the telephone, offer to

make a call for them.• Do Not hide extra keys outside of your residence.• Do Not give out personal information to anyone (especially

telephone solicitors).• Know your neighbors. Know who you can trust and depend.

Socializing• Do Not leave a drink unattended.• Do Not go out alone.• Do Not go home with strangers.• Do Not accept a ride home with strangers.• Do Not compromise your ability to make sound decisions. (e.g.

drinking excessively)• Do Not give strangers your address.• Contrary to the common stereotype of an unknown stranger

attacking in a dark alley, acquaintance rape—also known as date rape—is a more widespread phenomenon. Research studies have found that 1 in 4 college women have experienced rape or attempted rape, and 90% of the victims knew their assailant (Crime Victim Center and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 1992)

• Keep in regular contact with those that you go out with throughout the evening.

Assaults

• If after property- let them have it

• If able to avoid or get away- go toward people

• Know your physical abilities and limitations

• If they say they have a weapon- believe it

• Try to remember a description of the person

If Sexually Assaulted

• Tell someone

• Get medical attention

• Seek counseling; whether or not you think you need it

• Report the incident to police

• Do not feel guilty- you did nothing wrong

Patrol Division

• The Security Patrol Division is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to perform the following duties: -Provide 24-hours, 365 days a year, vehicle and foot patrols -Investigate theft, vandalism, and other crimes -Available to provide security for special campus events -Provide assistance to faculty, staff, students, and visitors -Compile information for MSU incident reports -Act as a liaison with the Mankato Department of Public Safety

Emergency Phones

• Minnesota State University, Mankato provides Emergency Phones in Residential Hall Parking lots, the far lots (lots 20-23), the arboretum and other various locations for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The phones are prominently located and marked with blue in each area.

Escort Services

• Our Escort Service provides a walking escort 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to and from any University building, parking lot, or residence hall. In addition, we will escort individuals to or from selected off-campus rental facilities. All escorts must begin on or end on University Property.

Now It’s Up To You…

• Think about your safety

• Plan ahead

• Be sensitive to the safety of others

• Do not give a criminal opportunity