SPEAKER (British): Students, I know you are all excited to be starting your first year on campus, and we are equally as thrilled to have you here. But as the security director on campus, it’s my job to make sure that your life at university is a safe one. So today I’m going to give you an orientation on campus safety. We’ll go over the services and protections provided by the university first, and then offer suggestions for what each of you can do to contribute to a safe learning environment here on campus.
Uh, you may have noticed some stations around the university marked as, um, police stations. There are ten of these scattered throughout campus. Each station is staffed around the clock with at least two officers, one of whom is always a female. These stations serve as checkpoints for students, so if you run into trouble or need to report a problem, just stop by a police station. But, of course, in the case of emergency, dial 9-1-1.
We also have security guards at every major building on campus, including residence halls. These security personnel are not police, per say, but they are trained security professionals and can assist you if you are in need. Mostly, though, the security guards are there to make sure that only authorised persons enter buildings. So don’t be surprised if they ask you for your student ID card or driver’s license. It’s for your own protection.
But let’s say you are in a building and there’s no security guard in sight. Not to worry. Every floor of every university building is equipped with both emergency phones…um, they are bright red, so you can’t miss them. Also, you’ll find alarm buttons in hallways and sometimes even in larger rooms. If there’s an urgent need for security, just pick up a red emergency phone or press the alarm. Security personnel as well as police will be there to assist you shortly.
Another fantastic service offered on campus is the student night watch. Volunteers join in groups of 3 to 5 to patrol the streets and watch for any, well, any odd behavior. They have a number here on campus, which is available on the university website. If you are walking home late at night alone and feel uncomfortable, simply call them and the group will escort you to your destination…within a reasonable distance, of course.
Speaking of walking alone, I do want to emphasise ways that you can enhance your own personal safety. A big one is to avoid walking alone at night. Perpetrators of crime look for dark, unpopulated areas. So don’t walk through the forest paths or down dark alleys once the sun goes down. Stay where the streets are well lit and where there are people. And it’s not a bad idea to carry with you a whistle or some mace, just in case.