Keeping Yourself Safe

This information is for your safety and security. Please read this information carefully.

Whether you live on/off campus

  • Lock your doors and windows 1)every time you leave, and 2) even while you are at home.
  • Sliding glass doors? Keep them locked and place something in the track to keep them secure.
  • Do not open the door to strangers.
  • Ask for I.D. if you do not know the person at your door, even if he/she is in uniform.
  • Buy renter’s insurance to protect your possessions from fire and theft.
  • Do not give personal information (phone number, address, etc.) to strangers.
  • Do not let others use your money, credit cards, car, or expensive equipment.

Walking on campus/Outdoor Safety

  • Do not walk alone, especially at night (this includes men and women).
  • On and off campus, go places with friends.
  • Look around you and be aware while you are out.
  • Keep your money in your wallet or purse, and do not “flash it” in public.
  • There are 150 emergency telephones on campus. They are yellow boxes with a blue light on top. Each telephone rings directly to the emergency center. You should not hesitate to use these telephones if you have an emergency. The Campus Police are available to escort you on campus. You can reach them from any Blue Light Emergency phone.

Car Safety

  • NEVER drink alcohol and drive.
  • If your friend is drunk, take his/her keys away. If you can’t get the keys, do not ride with that person. Call a taxi or another friend.
  • Lock all of your doors at all times.
  • Lock all your doors every time you leave your car and NEVER leave the keys in the ignition.
  • Hide bags, purses, CDs, cell phones and packages under the seat or in the trunk.
  • Look in your backseat and around your car before you get in.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full of gas.
  • Be aware of anyone standing near your car.
  • If you think you are being followed DO NOT go home. Drive to a well-lit, public place, and call the police.
  • If a car behind you flashes its lights, or you hear a siren, a police officer may be signaling you to “pull over”.
  • If the car is clearly and obviously a police car:
    • Pull over to the side of the road.
    • Turn off your car engine and wait for the officer with both hands on the steering wheel.
    • Most importantly, do not get out of your car and don’t reach for anything while you are waiting for the officer to approach.

It is frightening to be stopped by a police officer-so, if you are extremely nervous (especially if the officer is in “plainclothes” or in an “unmarked” car), turn on your four way flashers, and you are allowed to drive to a public place before stopping.

Personal Safety for Women and Men

  • Do not allow any stranger to get too close.
  • Don’t give information about your credit cards to a stranger.
  • Your body belongs to you! If you do not want someone to touch or kiss you, tell him/her “NO!” and get away from them.

and

  • If someone touches you and you do not want him/her to, this is considered sexual harassment.
  • It is hard, especially for women, to fight back, since women are raised to “be nice”, but if someone tries to take you away somewhere, fighting back may save your life!!

In the UNITED STATES, the EMERGENCY number is 911. You can call from any phone and do not need money to call. The UNC Charlotte campus has an assigned POLICE department that has jurisdiction on and off campus. If you are On-campus, it is advised that you call campus POLICE because they will respond faster. The Campus Police can be reached by telephone at: 704-687-2200 (for emergencies), or 704-687-8300 (for non-emergencies).