This week is Campus Safety Week at UWM. From October 14th to the 17th, the UWM Police Department, along with many other school organizations, will be increasing efforts to raise student situational awareness on campus.
Campus Safety Week will host resource fairs each day this week. These fairs aim to show students how to look out for their safety. Officers standing at kiosks will be discussing how students can stay alert and aware in all situations, as well as providing handouts that inform students of safe traveling methods. The police department believes that increased student awareness will lead to a safer community, and that students can contribute to the effort.
Officer Donald Brown of the UWM Police Department brings to attention many unsafe habits that students may not think about.
“We have a lot of students that walk around with headphones on or walk with their heads down because they’re texting, and they can’t hear or see what’s going on around them,” Brown said. “We want students to be safe and aware of their surroundings.”
Students that are distracted by headphones and gadgets may be more susceptible to various types of harm, ranging from walking out into traffic to being the victim of assault or theft. UWM police officers recommend students always have their full attention on looking and listening for signs of unsafe conditions to prevent crime.
Brown also urges students to use campus resources to maintain safety. Students can call B.O.S.S. (Be On the Safe Side) or the UWM Police Department to be picked up and dropped off by car, and S.A.F.E. Walkers to be escorted by foot to their destination.
“The S.A.F.E. officers are our eyes and ears around campus,” Brown said. “We watch what’s going on so we can make sure it’s safe for students to walk around, but students also have to be aware and responsible themselves.”
Smartphone users who have the UWM Mobile app can sign up to receive S.A.F.E. alerts to their phone about campus safety-related updates. These updates can warn students as quick as possible about suspicious activity around the neighborhood.
For more information, see www4.uwm.edu/police/campus-safety-week.cfm