Crime Prevention Tips

The following tips are meant to help protect the campus community from crime and injury. If a crime has already occurred, please contact Campus Security at 712.749.2500.

General Tips

  1. Report all suspicious persons.
  2. Report all thefts.
  3. Be attuned to your surroundings. Walk or travel in well-lit, well-traveled areas. If you think someone is following you, abruptly switch directions or cross the street. If you’re still being followed, go to a public place and ask for help.
  4. Keep your purse, backpack, briefcase, cell phone, portable computer, and any other valuable property in your possession at all times. Don’t take a break and leave them behind.
  5. If you receive a harassing phone call, hang up immediately. Don’t try to find out who the caller is and don’t show any reaction.
  6. Know your neighbors and make sure they know you. Ensure a roommate or friend knows your routines. Tell someone if you are going to be late or are out of town.
  7. Notify Campus Security of any broken lights, overgrown shrubbery near walkways, telephones that don’t work and doors with broken locks.
  8. Label your books, notebooks and personal property with your name.
  9. Never open doors of campus buildings to strangers.
  10. BVU students, faculty and staff should always have their University ID in their possession and present the ID when requested by Campus Security.

Residence Hall Safety Tips

  1. Lock all doors, even if you are leaving for a short time.
  2. Make certain to lock your door before you go to sleep.
  3. Never prop open any locking residence hall door.
  4. Avoid leaving notes on your door saying that you are out.
  5. Do not loan your keys to anyone, or leave your keys unattended.
  6. Do not put your name and/or room number on your key ring.
  7. There are phones at the entrances to the residence halls that can be utilized in emergencies. 

Campus Office and Lab Safety Tips

  1. Be sure doors are locked whenever you leave an unattended office or lab.
  2. Never leave doors propped open or leave keys in an unlocked cabinet or desk drawer.
  3. It is not advisable to tape extra keys under desk drawers or in file cabinets.
  4. When leaving your office or lab for the day, make sure that all windows are closed and locked, all valuables and confidential materials are locked up and all desks, files, and doors are locked.

Parking Lot Safety Tips

  1. Have your key ready when you approach your vehicle.
  2. Check before you get in your vehicle to make sure no one is hiding beneath or inside the vehicle.
  3. When you park, choose a well-lighted, designated parking area.
  4. If you carry valuables in your car, keep them out of sight in the trunk.
  5. Always lock your vehicle.
  6. There are blue light emergency phones in the following parking lots for emergencies.
  • Lot B- Behind Fieldhouse/Next to Scout Park
  • Lot G- Behind Greenhouse
  • Lot D- Behind Sculpture and Ceramics Building
  • Lot E- Middle of lot
  • Lot F- (McCorkle) Middle of the Lot
  • Lot H- (Liberty) Middle of Parking Lot
  • Lot L- (Faculty/Staff) Middle of the Lot

Sexual Assault/Date Rape Prevention Tips

Anyone can be the victim of sexual assault or rape, regardless of age, sex, race, status or type of dress. Please keep these tips in mind:

  1. Be alert and aware when dating.
  2. Trust your instincts or “gut feelings.”
  3. Do not send mixed messages. Be clear, say “no” when you mean it.
  4. Be careful when you invite someone into your residence.