UCPD NEWS

Holiday Safety Tips
Campus Curtailment Is Monday December 24th 2007 Through Tuesday January 1st 2008

The University of California Police Department would like to wish the campus community a safe and restful holiday season. This year, the campus will be closed for curtailment from Monday, December 24th 2007 through Tuesday, January 1st 2008, but December 22nd and 23rd are also quiet on campus. The change in campus activity during the curtailment period affects how you need to think about safety. Thefts can become more frequent during the holiday season, partly because of increased opportunity. Whether you’re staying here, staying home, or leaving town, we hope you keep these safety tips in mind.

YOUR ROOM OR OFFICE

leaving? Lock Up and Power Down

We strongly urge you to remove valuable items from your room or office before you leave campus. However, if this is not possible, keep your valuables out of sight and lock them away in a drawer, closet or other secure location.

Prior to leaving for the break, please ensure that you turn off and unplug non-essential electronics and electrical devices, and lock your windows and doors. The holiday break also happens to be the campus’s energy curtailment period, and every saved watt counts!

Staying? UCPD's Safety Services Stays With You

Rest assured that UCPD will still be here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some units within UCPD will be closed or operate at reduced staffing during the break, but our Patrol Division will be fully staffed over the holidays. Police services are always available at the station, Room 1 Sproul Hall. Enter through the south basement doors on the Bancroft Ave side of the building.

The BearWALK Service operates every day of the year, providing a walking escort after dark. To request an escort, call 510/642-WALK (9255).

Our Owl Service remains in operation 365 days a year. Call 510/642-6760 after 3am to request a ride to a destination within our service boundaries.

NOTE: Parking and Transportation’s BearTransit Night Safety Shuttles will discontinue service on Friday December 21st and resume standard service schedule on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008. Complete routes and service schedule details can be found on the Parking and Transportation website.

Be Alert While You're Here

Whether you’re staying in the dorms, or working though the holiday, you can help keep things safer on campus by being aware of strangers and reacting if something doesn't seem right.

Politely offer assistance to persons in your building or work area whom you do not recognize. If they have legitimate business, they will appreciate your help. If they do not, ask them to leave.

Report any suspicious person or activity to the Police as soon as you can. Tell us “where, what, who, when and how” by dialing 911 (or 510/642-3333 from cell phones).

YOUR HOME

Before you Leave Your Residence

Lock and bolt all entrance doors and windows.
Consider using timers on lights and on radios or televisions to give your residence the appearance of being occupied.

TIP: Don’t let your outgoing message advertise that you’re away. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid saying what your name is or that you’re alone. Just to be on the safe side, always use the plural, whether you live alone or not. Say, “We’re not available to take your call right now,” not, “I’m not here right now.”

YOUR CAR

Discourage auto-burglaries

Park in well lighted, heavily populated areas.
Never leave holiday presents and valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. Put them in the trunk out of sight.
Close all windows and lock all doors before leaving your vehicle.

TIP: Don't let your car give any clues about you if a persistent burglar manages to break in. Make copy of your registration and insurance, and keep them in your wallet or purse. Then remove all forms of identification from your vehicle. Anyone with permission to drive your vehicle should also have a copy of the registration and insurance with them to furnish to the police if necessary.

Know your Emergency Telephone Numbers:

UCPD, 1 Sproul Hall
Emergency Telephone Number via Campus Phone - 911
Emergency Telephone Number via Cell Phone – (510) 642-3333
Non-Emergencies Telephone Number - (510) 642-6760

Berkeley Police Department, 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Emergency Telephone Number: 911
Emergency Telephone Number via Cell Phone - (510) 981-5911
Non-Emergency Telephone Number - (510) 981-5900

Explore the Site for More Safety Info:

Thank you for visiting police.berkeley.edu. UCPD encourages everyone to utilize our safety programs and services all year round. Take a minute to look over our campus safety guidelines and learn more ways to protect your vehicle, your belongings and yourself on campus and off.

For More Information