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Safety Tips and Crime Prevention

Personal Safety Considerations

Each of us is responsible for our own personal safety and security. Anyone seeking to do harm will look for opportunities that make the crime easy to commit. The best means of prevention is to remove or reduce the opportunity.

Protecting Yourself: On Campus

  • If possible, travel to and from campus with other people.
  • Park in areas that are patrolled and well-lighted. Keep all valuables in the car out of sight. 
  • Avoid using isolated stairwells in buildings.
  • If a suspicious looking person follows you, go to a well-populated area and notify Security.
  • If a suspicious looking person follows you into an elevator or restroom, step out of the elevator/restroom immediately.
  • Maintain constant possession of your valuables, such as keys, purse, wallet. Lock them in desk drawers or other secured areas, if possible. Do not carry more cash than necessary and limit the other valuables you bring to campus. If you lose something, contact Lost and Found (Office of Student Life, Brier 252, ext. 1581).
  • Know your instructors and people in your classes.
  • Do not advertise your vacation plans, times you will be away from home, or how much cash you are carrying. 
  • If you are working late or odd hours, notify Security so that someone can check on you periodically. Security will also provide an escort to your car.
  • Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious activities and individuals to Security. 

Reporting Crime on Campus

Report all crime to Campus Security even if it was only an attempt. (Call 425.754.0154, use a yellow emergency box, or call x1501.) Crime cannot be controlled and prevented if it is not reported. By reporting crimes and suspicious activities, you can protect yourself and others. Prompt reporting greatly improves the ability of Campus Security to resolve the incident. Call Campus Security if:

  • Someone is injured or ill;
  • You see fire or smell smoke;
  • You see anything suspicious;
  • Someone is hurting another person;
  • You see someone stealing something;
  • You have something stolen;
  • You see someone forcing entry into a building or vehicle;
  • You see anything that may be an unsafe or hazardous situation;
  • You observe suspicious behavior, or;
  • You need assistance or would like an escort to your car at night.
  • Security officers will respond to all reports of emergencies, crime and or criminal activity. Officers will complete an “Incident Report” for any reported crime which occurred on Edmonds College property. Reports are confidential within the guidelines established by the General Education Provisions Act and the Campus Security Act. Some reports may be made available to assist the complainant to file an insurance claim.
  • If it is an emergency, 911 should also be notified. Emergency calls involve crimes in progress, offender still at the scene of the crime, and accidents involving injuries.
  • When reporting the crime, remember to remain calm, speak clearly, explain why you are calling, give the exact location of the situation, and stay on the line until the operator ends the call.

Protecting Yourself: Public Transportation

  • Locate convenient, well-lighted, frequently used bus stops.
  • Check schedules in advance and avoid waiting alone at bus stops.
  • When you board the bus, sit near the driver.
  • If you are verbally or physically harassed, report the incident to the driver immediately.
  • Be aware of who gets off the bus with you. If you think you are being followed, walk to a place where there are other people for assistance.

Protecting Yourself: Outdoor Activities

When walking, jogging, biking, roller-blading, or participating in other outdoor activities, observe the following:

  • Choose a route that is safe and populated.
  • Bring a friend if possible.
  • Always carry proper identification.
  • Advise a friend of the route you will be taking so they will know where to look for you in an emergency.
  • Vary your route and schedule so that your behavior is not predictable.
  • Avoid outdoor activities after dark.
  • Keep your equipment in good repair and carry repair tools.
  • Consider carrying a personal alarm.

If You Are Attacked:

  • Be physically and psychologically prepared to defend yourself. Prepare an inventory of your personal skills in a confrontation: Do you fight, run, cry, freeze? By preparing, you will have more options in a confrontation.
  • Every confrontation is different. The best response depends on many factors, such as the location of the incident, characteristics of the assailant, the presence of weapons, your own personal skills, and attitude.
  • When faced with danger, trust yourself. Stay calm, think rationally, find a way to escape.
  • The following strategies may be effective: nonresistance, negotiating, stalling for time, distracting or diverting the assailant and fleeing, verbal assertiveness, screaming or using a personal alarm, physically resisting or fighting off the assailant.
  • Never give up. If the first strategy does not work or the situation changes, try another strategy.
  • Observe as much as you can about the physical characteristics, clothing, and behavior of the assailant. This information will be important in the police investigation.

Ten Ways to Reduce Auto Theft

  • Never leave your vehicle running unattended
  • Lock all the doors
  • Completely close all the windows
  • Remove all valuables
  • Install an alarm system with a kill switch
  • Install a steering wheel locking device
  • Install an ignition or fuel kill switch
  • Install a locking fuel cap
  • Install a vehicle tracking system
  • Park in well-lighted locations … avoid isolated areas

Crime Prevention

Safety and crime prevention starts with personal responsibility. Lack of vulnerability is the key. A criminal looks for and exploits perceived weaknesses. The less vulnerable the person or vehicle appears, the less chance of a crime occurring.

Edmonds College has been fortunate that our college's rate of crime has been relatively low. Security is dedicated to making certain that it occurs as infrequently as possible.

  • Walk with another person after dark in a well-lighted area or call campus Security 425.754.0154 (officer on duty) or 425.754.0192 (secondary phone) for a security escort.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and any signs that something is amiss or out of place.
  • Park in a well-lighted area and lock your vehicle securely. Place all valuables out of sight.
  • Do not leave your valuables unattended while on campus.
  • Bicycles should always be locked to a bike rack. A good D-lock through the rear tire and frame with a cable lock larger than 3/8-inch through the front tire, frame, and rack is recommended. Bicycles can be engraved for identification; many bike shops offer this service for free.
  • It is important to think about who you are and how you might respond to different situations. All criminals have the potential to be violent. This is the most important consideration when deciding what to do in a given situation.
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