CRIME PREVENTION

Ms. Tonya Webb, UAB Police Crime Prevention Specialist








The Department's Crime Prevention Specialist is the driving force for coordinating the UAB community crime prevention program. Through regularly scheduled seminars, presentations, and community meetings, combined with the deliberate and constant interaction of uniformed and plain clothes officers within the campus community, crime prevention efforts, under the concepts of "Community Policing," is stronger than ever. One of our most successful programs is the "Campus Watch" program. This program was planned, developed, undertaken, and is now continuously evaluated by the Crime Prevention Specialist. Mirrored off of municipal Neighborhood Watch programs, "Campus Watch" directly involves the entire UAB community in an effort to thwart and effectively deter opportunistic crime in and around the UAB Campus and its buildings and property.




WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS ?


THESE ARE ALWAYS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES:

Person screaming, cries for HELP or POLICE

Loud or obscene shouting indicating disturbance

An explosion or gunshot

The sound of breaking glass

Someone trying to break into a building

Someone tampering with a motor vehicle

Person (s) publicly displaying weapons

Smashed doors or windows






SUSPICIOUS PERSONS:

Person waiting in front of building or residence, especially when building is closed or owners are away.
Possible significance:
Casing a building/office/residence for a place to burglarize, burglary in progress.

Person carrying property at an unusual hour or in an unusual location:
Possible significance: Leaving the scene of a burglary, robbery, or theft.

Person loitering around cars or going car to car peeking into them, especially in parking lots, carports, or on streets.
Possible significance: Potential car thief or theft from vehicle.

Person exhibiting unusual behavior or physical symptoms.
Possible significance: May be injured under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in need of medical attention.






SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES:

Slow-moving Vehicle (particularly at night with lights off) being driven aimlessly.
Possible significance: Casing for a place to burglarize or considering some other anti-social behavior.

Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked in front of closed residence or building. Suspicious even if the vehicle is a legitimate-looking commercial unit.
Possible significance: Burglary or other theft in progress.

Abandoned Vehicle.
Possible significance: Stolen vehicle; also unsafe place for children to hide and play.

Vehicle containing weapons.
Possible significance: Owner may engage in illegal activities.

Unusual property in vehicles, especially at unusual hours. For example, TV sets, stereos, unmounted tape decks, auto parts, and computers.
Possible significance: Stolen property.

Persons being forced into vehicles.
Possible significance: Kidnaping or sex offender, domestic violence.









Reporting Suspicious activity on Campus


Remember, your UAB Police would rather be called and not needed than needed and not called!



* Remain calm. Keep away from the suspicious person (s) or activity and avoid taking any risks. Notify the UAB Police Department. (or Dial 911)

* Give your name, address, and phone number. The university police need to contact you for more information later. If you prefer, you can remain anonymous.

* Tell the police whether the crime is in progress or has already been completed. (if you see a crime in progress, report it immediately. If you wait, the police will have a much more difficult time apprehending the suspect).

* Be prepared to give the following information: A description of what happened (time, place, was anyone injured...). A description of the suspect (sex, age, race, weight, distinctive characteristics)

* A description of any vehicle (s) involved, license plate number if possible Time and direction of escape

* Additional details and circumstances (if any).

Crime Prevention is everyone's business!

Report suspicious behavior immediately to the UAB Police Department.







UAB CRIME TIPS PHONE LINE 934-6899




Suspicious behavior on campus can also be reported using an emergency phone. Just pick up the receiver and you will be connected directly to a dispatcher at the UAB Police Department.







What are you doing to help prevent crime on campus???


There are a great number of things you could be doing NOW to prevent a crime from occurring:

Join UAB Campus Watch.

Take one of our Crime Prevention or Personal Safety/Self Defenses Classes

Stay abreast of media alerts and prevention measures.

Read campus newspapers to stay abreast of local concerns.

If possible, never walk alone in dimly lit areas without a companion or associate. If you must walk alone, be cautious., stay alert, and be aware of your surroundings....or call for an ESCORT.

Use the best lighted and heaviest traveled routes while walking.

Have your keys ready when you get to your car for quick entry. Lock your doors immediately and keep windows rolled up once you get in.

Don't roll your window down to talk to a stranger under suspicious circumstances.

If you think you are being followed, turn abruptly several times, and if you are being followed, drive to a crowded, well lit area (fire station, store, etc.) and have someone there call the police for you. Do not stop and get out of your car to call for help in isolated areas. If you are walking, begin looking for an escape or someone to help.

If someone demands your valuables(car, purse, wallet, etc.), just give it to them. It is all replaceable and not worth getting hurt, seriously injured or killed over!

Keep your valuables out of sight (in your trunk, under the seat, etc.) in your car.

If you are going away from the office for more than just a few moments, lock your door. Keep your personal valuables (purse, wallet, etc.) locked in a drawer.

Call the UAB Crime Prevention Specialist at 934-2409 for additional information.



If there should be a need for potential threat information to be made available to the public, it will be distributed to the UAB community in various ways by:

*Fax Machines

*Electronic Mail

*UAB Report

*Monday Mailing

*UAB Campus Watch

*Kaleidoscope

*Flyers& Posters

*Hand Delivered Messages


















This Webpage last updated on December 2, 1999

E-mail the Crime Prevention Officer: " twebb@uab.edu "

Send your comments to the UABPD Webmaster at "aburks@uab.edu"