The Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) works hard allyear to keep Tufts safe, but officers are intensifying theirefforts to make October Crime Prevention Month.
This month, campus police will educate students about crimescommitted on campus - from robberies to rapes - and increaseawareness of protective measures.
Biweekly displays in the campus center will highlight variousTUPD initiatives, including Bicycle Registration and Auto-EtchingDay.
These programs help fulfill one of TUPD's crime prevention goals- preventing auto and bike theft - since both prove to be effectivetheft deterrents, according to TUPD officer Linda MacKay, whoorganizes Crime Prevention Month.
Theft of other personal belongings such as expensive electronicslike laptop computers is another crime TUPD is hoping to minimize,especially given the personal content such devices may contain.
"It's something very irreplaceable, your pictures, movies,documents, but especially the music," said sophomore Adrian Garcia,whose laptop was stolen last year while he was a floor below hisown room in Hodgdon.
TUPD has promoted laptop security devices, much like bike locks,which attach laptops to desks or other immovable devices with astrong cable to prevent theft. The security devices were offered tofreshmen on the Connection 2008 Web site.
Laptop thefts have decreased significantly this year, down toone from 12 last semester. In this year's sole incidence of theft,multiple laptops were stolen in an off-campus house, but "the onlylaptop not taken was one with the security device we have beenpromoting," MacKay said.
"I think the programs we are running are effective to the pointwhere the student's safety is at very little risk," saidMacKay.
McKay said that theft is preventable but stressed the importanceof common sense when it comes to safety. "If you leave your roomopen for 10 minutes, what's to stop anyone from coming in andtaking your valuables? Nothing," she said.
TUPD recommends that students keep their doors locked, even ifthey only leave their rooms for a moment.
Another of TUPD's focuses is to protect students from sexualassault through its Rape Aggression Defense Class, which helpswomen defend themselves if attacked by an aggressor.
TUPD has also distributed flyers, posters, and security alertsaround campus and posted advertisements in The Observer and TheTufts Daily announcing activities as well as anti-theft andpersonal safety security tips.
While these efforts take place all year, they are stressed andgiven wider visibility in October.
Students can get involved in crime prevention through the BiasIntervention Program, sponsored by the Dean of Students office,whereby members report and develop appropriate responses to biasincidents across campus.
The "Have Trunk, Will Travel" program also helps to cultivaterelationships between police and students as a part of ResidentAssistant team meetings with police officers. Students who attendare offered the chance of $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Certificatethrough a TUPD-sponsored raffle.
