Personal safety and awareness go hand in hand. Too often we go about our daily lives lost in thought and routine actions. We do not always take security precautions or think about our personal safety, but we should. The time spent could mean the difference between being safe and being a victim.

Waiting to walk with a friend or co-worker or calling for a College police escort may mean you are delayed 10 or 15 minutes getting home. Taking a well-lit, well-traveled route may require an indirect path and added inconvenience getting to and from the College. However, that extra time may turn out to be the most important minutes of your day.

Even if you take the time to be safety conscious, you may not report suspicious persons or activity because you do not want to get involved or worry you will be a bother. However, by following the tips below you can be more aware of your surroundings, remain safety conscious, and help keep yourself and friends safer.

When you travel to and from campus, plan your path of travel and know the neighborhood you travel through. Remember, some neighborhoods are less safe than others. Think about these tips.

• Avoid wearing or carrying valuables in a way that can be easily seen.
• Carry only small amounts of cash.
• Keep your purse, backpack, or laptop bag close and secure to your body.
• Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths designed for pedestrian travel.
• Avoid cutting across properties, between houses, behind buildings, or dark places.
• Keep your hands free from carrying objects (unless it is your keys – they can be used as a defensive weapon if needed).
• When walking to your vehicle, have your keys ready. Look around your vehicle and inside before you get in.
• Always lock your vehicle, whether it is parked or you are driving.
• Walk with a friend or co-worker when possible.
• Think about the shoes you wear. You may need to run.
• Be aware of people walking near you.
• Look over your shoulders from time to time to see if anyone is following.
• Scan the path in front of you from side to side.
• Watch for people standing or gathering in dark or hidden places.
• If you think someone is following you, change your path to a more lit and open area or even an open business.

• Always trust your instincts. (gut feeling).

  Keep What's Yours--Lock your Car Doors

• Car-related burglaries and vehicle theft are threats that all vehicle owners face. The Penn College Police Department urges residents to be proactive and take every precaution possible to minimize the possibility of an incident. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:

• Lock your vehicles! Experience has taught us that most vehicle burglaries occur to unlocked vehicles. Many new vehicles also make it easier for criminals to detect whether they are locked or unlocked given the position of the side mirrors. Be mindful and lock your car - this is the simplest and most effective way to enhance the prevention process.
• Leave zero items of value or personal mail inside your vehicle, or in plain sight
• Keep outdoor lights on at night and if possible, park in illuminated areas.

If you see something, say something: Call the police 911.

Penn College issues PCT Alerts and crimes alerts via text message, voice message, email, and the portal. The intent of these alerts is to give you timely information about a crime that has occurred on campus or in the surrounding neighborhood so that you are more aware of crime and are able to take the necessary precautions for your personal safety.

If you need to get around campus or to your off-campus apartment, do not walk alone. Wait for a friend or co-worker or call Penn College Police for an escort. A police officer will walk with you to your destination. This service is available by calling 570-321-5555, 24 hours a day. Escorts are available on campus and off campus, between Rose Street and Campbell Street, and between Campus View and Memorial Avenue.

If you are attacked, assaulted, or robbed, yell and scream to draw attention. Try to observe as many details about the assailant(s) as possible. Don’t try to remember an exact height or weight but more of a comparison to your size. Notify the police immediately.

No one can predict when or where dangerous situations may arise. We can and should make safe choices and remain aware of our environment at all times. Penn College Police patrol the areas on and off campus 24-hours a day. However, making smart choices and following the tips provided here are your first lines of defense.

Contact

Penn College Police Department

• Penn's Loft
• 570.321.5555
• police@pct.edu