Safety and You
No town city or community is immune to crime; neither is the University of Waterloo. You can contribute significantly to your own personal safety and to Waterloo's quality of life by doing small but important things:
Be alert to your surroundings and trust your good instincts when you are walking alone.
Keep items such as your purse or wallet with you at all times... do not leave them unattended. It only takes seconds for them to disappear and that could include all your course work also.
Ensure all doors and windows are properly secured when leaving an area. Do not let unfamiliar individuals into your residence. Remember to lock your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight.
Report any suspicious activities, crime and property damage to the UW Police Service at 519.888.4911 or ext. 22222
Residence Safety On and Off Campus
The doors and windows to your residence should be equipped with quality locking mechanisms.
Always lock them when you are absent.
Don't loan out your key. Re-key locks when a key is lost. Always lock your doors and 1st and 2nd floor windows at night.
Never compromise your safety for a roommate who asks you to leave a door unlocked.
On Campus residences should not have floor doors propped open anytime day or night. Beware of persons you don't know appearing on your floor unaccompanied; alert a DON or Campus Police. Do not leave your identification, wallets, cheque books, jewellery, cameras, computers and other valuables in open view.
Know your emergency numbers, program your phone for speed dial. Know your neighbours and don't be reluctant to report illegal activities and suspicious loitering.
Draw your drapes/curtains or pull your shades so no one can see inside. When you arrive home check your surroundings and ensure nothing is amiss.
If you suspect that your house/room has been broken into call the police immediately and don't touch anything. Be aware of maintaining security in your building or residence during holidays, vacation periods or during quiet times when there are fewer people around. Record the serial numbers of items like computers, IPods, and other valuables and keep the list in a safe place possibly leaving a copy with family also.
Personal safety
Create a safety plan. Go to the closest house, business or person for help. Get Medical Help if you are injured. Yell, Scream, and anything else to scare off an attacker. Try to remember as many details about the individual and tell Police the description and what happened. Use common sense; if something doesn't appear right, then it’s probably not!!!
Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and routes.
Where the closest houses, businesses, public buildings, people, etc... Where the closest windows, exits, entrance, etc... At night walk in groups of two or more in well-lit and welltravelled areas. Carry a charged cell phone with you and a whistle, if possible. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots, parks, wooded areas and deserted spaces.
Try to always carry emergency cab fare or bus money. It provides an option to walking alone.
Use the buddy system.
Let someone know where you are going and when you will be expected back. Which routes, stores, and direction you are going, etc...? Try not to carry valuables with you. Hide items like MP 3 players and IPODS in your coat or backpack.
When you are with a friend at a bar, pub or party, plan to watch out for one another and arrange to leave the event together or in a group.
When at social function’s never leave a beverage unattended.
If you find yourself being persistently harassed by someone; Report the person harassing you to the server/bar personnel or to the authorities depending on the circumstance. Never invite anyone back to your place that you don't feel comfortable with. If you do invite a new person back, ensure you are not alone and have a friend come back with you also.
Campus safety Learn the best routes between your residence and your classes and activities.
Take the safest route not the fastest. Travel in groups of two or more at night and always walk in well lit, heavily traveled areas. Stay on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways and alleys.
Share your class schedule with friends and family, creating a buddy system. When you go out let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Know where the Help lines are located. University of Waterloo Police Officers are dispatched every time a Help line is activated.
Use the UW Shuttle service.
Where ever you are, be aware of your surroundings and the actions of people around you.
Follow your instincts. If something doesn't feel right,
change directions, go to an HELPLINE or any payphone on campus, or into a public building or call UW Police at 519888-4911 or ext 22222.
Do not leave your belongings unattended, even for a few minutes.
Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewellery, expensive clothing, IPODS or Laptops. Always lock your bike to a bike rack.
Always lock your vehicle and keep valuables out of site.
Check the back seat before getting in. Park in well-lit; well-traveled areas of the parking lots.
Memorize the phone number of the University Police 519-888-4911 or ext 22222