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Campus crime prevention is a way to make ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ a safer place to live and learn. By becoming aware of the crimes that occur most often on campus, you can learn ways to reduce your chances of becoming a victim, and, ultimately, prevent crime.

The ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ University Police Department is concerned with the safety of each and every member of the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ community, and does its part to promote crime prevention. A few ways that you can prevent crime are detailed below.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, affecting half a million new victims each year. In the course of a day, you may write a check at the drugstore, charge tickets to a concert, call home on your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these routine transactions a second thought. But, others do.

Individuals need to be actively involved in protecting their personal information. To learn more on how to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, or what to do if you are a victim, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at . To report identity theft, contact ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½PD at 216.397.1234.

Frauds And Scams

Click to learn more about the most common types of scams that affect college students.

For additional information and resources visit the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs .Ìý

Safety Tips

If you only remember one crime prevention tip, it’s this:
The most effective precaution against crime is to be aware of what is happening around you, all the time.

• Keep cash out of sight, and only carry enough money around that you’ll need for the day.
• Keep your doors locked – day or night – and don’t let strangers in your room.
• Don’t lend out your keys or leave your door unlocked for a friend. And don’t prop open exterior doors.
• Avoid shortcuts, dark alleys, and secluded places.
• Never drink and drive. If you do, you may become the victim and the criminal.
• Lock your bike to a fixed object, and use a U-shaped lock for security.
• Always lock your car and take the keys with you. Put books and other items you aren’t carrying to class in the trunk, out of sight.
• Don’t leave your books laying around unattended.
• Know the locations of emergency or public telephones. DIAL 911 – it’s free – or ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½PD if you feel unsafe or are afraid in a situation.
• If you do become a victim of crime, call ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½PD immediately. We can help you, and we know places and people to refer you to who have experience helping victims of crime.
• Don’t bring expensive items to campus. If you think they’re valuable, chances are so does someone else.
• Report suspicious behavior to building staff or ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½PD as soon as you can, you may help prevent yourself or others from being victimized.
• Don’t hitchhike, pick up hitchhikers, or ride with a stranger.
• Don’t walk alone. Ask one of your friends to walk with you, or travel in groups — especially at night.
• If you have a personal computer, engrave an identification number on it and keep it in a locked place.