Personal Safety and Off Campus Affairs

Safety Tips Off Campus

Downtown Safety

  • Go out with friends and come back with them
  • Do not walk alone at night if at all possible
  • Let others know where you’re going
  • Let others know when you’ll be back
  • Keep a cell phone handy to call authorities
  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Do not let your guard down
  • Avoid dark places
  • Avoid groups of people
  • Be aware of places people can hide
  • Walk in the middle of the road if you are walking on a dark, quiet street with no traffic
  • Use good judgment
  • Use good safety sense
  • Do not go to a stranger’s apartment
  • Do not overindulge
  • Report any and all suspicious person(s) or activities to the Albany Police Department (911) or the University Police Department (911 or 442-3131)

Apartment Safety

  • Secure and lock your windows in the completely closed position whenever your apartment is not occupied
  • Always be sure all doors are securely locked and utilize the other safety devices that may be built into your apartment
  • Notify a trusted neighbor that you'll be gone and ask him/her to watch your apartment
  • Cancel all deliveries such as newspapers and have all mail held by the post office
  • Do not leave valuables out in the open and remove anything of exceptional value. Close all first floor blinds and curtains
  • If you are moving out or changing apartments, do not leave valuables unattended while moving.
  • Call the Albany Police Department at 911 to report immediately all crimes and any suspicious activity.

Fire Safety

Save a Life, Yours?

  • Smoke detectors are REQUIRED in the City of Albany in each room used for sleeping purposes.
  • Do NOT jeopardize your safety by removing the batteries!
  • Your landlord MUST provide these smoke detectors in your apartment, but YOU MUST maintain and check them regularly.

For more information, call the Albany Fire Department at 447-7879.

If your apartment will be unoccupied for any extended period

  • Notify a trusted neighbor that you'll be gone and ask him/her to watch your apartment.
  • Cancel all deliveries such as newspapers and have all mail held by the post office.
  • Do not leave valuables out in the open and remove anything of exceptional value. Close all first floor blinds and curtains.
  • Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off.
  • If you are moving out or changing apartments, do not leave valuables unattended while moving.
  • Call the Albany Police Department at 911 to report immediately all crimes and any suspicious activity.

Protect Your Car

Don’t make it easy for thieves to steal your valuables.
Take these common sense steps:
  • Always lock you car and pocket your keys.
  • Close windows all the way and make sure your trunk is locked.
  • Keep everything of value that you can in your trunk.
  • If you can’t leave valuables in the trunk put them in the glove compartment or make sure they are out of sight.
  • An unattended car phone is virtually guaranteed to be stolen. Secure all phone equipment and computer equipment in the trunk or glove compartment.
  • Park in well-lighted and busy areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle in unattended parking lots for long periods of time.
  • If you park in a lot where you must leave a key, leave the ignition key only.
  • Don’t leave your registration inside your vehicle, but carry it with you. Important identification papers or credit cards should never be left in the glove compartment.
  • Report all suspicious activity wherever you are. You may be preventing a crime against your vehicle or someone else’s.
  • Investigate security systems if you live in a high-theft area.
  • Buy radios, tape and CD players that can be removed and locked in your trunk.

Protect Your Bike

  • Never leave your bike unattended. If unable to secure – bring it inside.
  • Lock up your bike with a u-lock (i.e. kryptonite).