Along with being aware of your surroundings, knowing your neighbors can be a great tool. Neighbors can serve as a set of eyes and ears for illegal or suspicious persons or activities. It is impossible to be at your dorm or apartment 24/7. Knowing your neighbors will increase the surveillance of your living area while you are away or heighten awareness of people who shouldn’t be lurking around.
Keep Your Residence Door Locked
- Even if you just run down the hall to the shower or to borrow a book, lock the door behind you.
- Never open your door to a stranger. If someone asks to use your phone, offer to make the call for them if they truly appear to be in need.
- If you live on the first floor, lock your windows at night.
Don't let anyone into your hall that you don't know
- This is looking out for you and your fellow residents.
- If you see someone you don’t know in your dorm or residence hall, ask them if you can help them so they know you are aware of their presence, or ask them to wait outside.
- No one should make you feel guilty about being cautious.
- Get to know your neighbors and ask them to let you know of anything suspicious.
Have a concern about a stranger or the safety of you or a neighbor? Contact the UTPB Police Department at (432) 552-2786.