As spring approaches and more time is spent outdoors, whether enjoying a walk or exercise break or running errands in preparation for summer travel, it’s important to take safety precautions to lessen the risk of robbery, assault or abduction.
UAB Criminal Investigations Division Captain Amy Schreiner and Stacy Moak, Ph.D., professor of social work, offer insights into the simplest ways to stay safe while on campus and around Birmingham — from safety whistles to self-defense classes.
Plan ahead of time.
Planning ahead is a simple, yet effective way to make yourself safer, Schreiner says; be sure to plan your route before you leave and familiarize yourself with where to get help if you need it. She also recommends purchasing a safety whistle.
“If you are accosted by a perpetrator, we recommend using a safety whistle or similar noise-making device that will alert others that you’re in danger until you can contact police,” Schreiner said.
Moak recommends getting your keys ready before leaving a building in order to more quickly and easily enter your car; this prevents you from fumbling around while standing outside your car, which can compromise your safety.
“You are vulnerable to the element of surprise in that situation,” Moak told UAB News. “Avoid going places alone after dark, especially if you are in a place that isn’t familiar to you.”
“If you are accosted by a perpetrator, we recommend using a safety whistle or similar noise-making device that will alert others that you’re in danger until you can contact police,” Schreiner said.
Moak recommends getting your keys ready before leaving a building in order to more quickly and easily enter your car; this prevents you from fumbling around while standing outside your car, which can compromise your safety.
“You are vulnerable to the element of surprise in that situation,” Moak told UAB News. “Avoid going places alone after dark, especially if you are in a place that isn’t familiar to you.”
Be aware of your surroundings.
Look inside your vehicle before you get in, especially when it has been parked in a deck or lot, Moak says. And keep your eyes open to what is going on around you, especially in high-traffic public locations such as a mall or grocery store.
“That’s the fastest way to ward off a potential criminal — by looking them in the eyes. Most would-be offenders will alter their course of action if they fear they can be identified by someone.”
“That’s the fastest way to ward off a potential criminal — by looking them in the eyes. Most would-be offenders will alter their course of action if they fear they can be identified by someone.”
Use the buddy system or Rave Guardian.
Schreiner always recommends utilizing the buddy system when traveling on campus or other places. If you must travel alone, stick to well-lit populated areas and avoid alleys and breezeways — and download Rave Guardian, UAB’s campus safety app.
Rave Guardian is one of the easiest and best ways to ensure your personal safety as you’re traveling home from date night.
Once you download the Rave Guardian app, free to anyone with a UAB email address, users can request a virtual safety escort on their smartphone from a friend or family member who has also downloaded Rave Guardian — or from UAB Police.
“If you’re prone to traveling alone, the RAVE Guardian app can be programmed to let your friends and family know what time you should reach your destination If you haven’t reached your destination by the specified time, UAB Police will reach out to you or your loved ones to ensure you are safe,” Schreiner said.
Rave Guardian is one of the easiest and best ways to ensure your personal safety as you’re traveling home from date night.
Once you download the Rave Guardian app, free to anyone with a UAB email address, users can request a virtual safety escort on their smartphone from a friend or family member who has also downloaded Rave Guardian — or from UAB Police.
“If you’re prone to traveling alone, the RAVE Guardian app can be programmed to let your friends and family know what time you should reach your destination If you haven’t reached your destination by the specified time, UAB Police will reach out to you or your loved ones to ensure you are safe,” Schreiner said.
Call the UAB Blazer Express Safety Escort service.
Be sure to download TapRide or add 205-934-8772 — the Safety Escort Service number — to your contacts list. Safety Escort runs on-demand 9 p.m.-5:30 a.m. every day, extending to Railroad Park to the north, Eighth Street to the west, 22nd Street to the east and 14th Avenue to the south.
“If you have to stay on campus late, use the TapRide app or call to request a ride on the UAB safety shuttle,” Schreiner said.
“If you have to stay on campus late, use the TapRide app or call to request a ride on the UAB safety shuttle,” Schreiner said.
Know where UAB’s 490-plus Help Phones are located.
Familiarize yourself with the Help Phones located on your daily routes; they are a direct link to the UAB Police Department and are monitored 24 hours a day.
Help Phones can be found in building hallways, elevators, parking lots, parking decks, between buildings and in other remote areas. To operate Help Phones in metal boxes, open the door and pick up the handset. To use the smaller, yellow Help Phones, press the red button once and wait for a dispatcher to answer. Elevator Help Phones are located behind a metal panel; to use, lift the handset and wait for the dispatcher.
“Individuals who feel they are in danger can access one of our Help Phones and be directly connected to the UAB Police Department in seconds,” Schreiner said. “These phones can be found in building hallways, elevators, parking lots, parking decks and various remote areas within the UAB footprint.”
Help Phones can be found in building hallways, elevators, parking lots, parking decks, between buildings and in other remote areas. To operate Help Phones in metal boxes, open the door and pick up the handset. To use the smaller, yellow Help Phones, press the red button once and wait for a dispatcher to answer. Elevator Help Phones are located behind a metal panel; to use, lift the handset and wait for the dispatcher.
“Individuals who feel they are in danger can access one of our Help Phones and be directly connected to the UAB Police Department in seconds,” Schreiner said. “These phones can be found in building hallways, elevators, parking lots, parking decks and various remote areas within the UAB footprint.”
Trust your instincts.
Not ignoring things that seem out of sorts is a critical crime-prevention tool, Moak says; be vigilant and aware.
“Watch what is going on around you,” she said.
Schreiner agrees, encouraging people to give UAB Police a call if they see something unusual or out of sorts.
“If your gut instinct is telling you something’s not right, call the police and let us check it out,” she said. “Those calls can prevent crime.”
“Watch what is going on around you,” she said.
Schreiner agrees, encouraging people to give UAB Police a call if they see something unusual or out of sorts.
“If your gut instinct is telling you something’s not right, call the police and let us check it out,” she said. “Those calls can prevent crime.”
Prepare to pack a punch:
UAB is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all Blazers. From mobile apps to bus escort services to B-Alerts and more, make sure you’re up to date on all the ways to stay safer on campus.
