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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Public Safety Crime Prevention Tip of the Month


As we begin the 2010 spring semester, the MCC Public Safety Department would like to provide our faculty, staff, and student body with some important safety and security tips regarding traveling around the campus, residing in the residence halls, and how to contact the Public Safety Department for assistance or in the event of an emergency.

How to contact MCC Public Safety

•      Know the emergency telephone number for MCC Public Safety. On the Brighton Campus call 292-2911 or Extension 2911 from any internal campus telephone. On the MCC Damon City Campus call 262-1414 or Extension 1414 from any internal campus telephone. From the residence halls call 292-3911.

•      Program the MCC emergency phones numbers into your personal cell phone.
•      Know the location of the Blue Emergency Telephones on campus and learn how to use them. You can obtain an MCC Brighton campus map, showing the location of the emergency blue light telephones from the Public Safety office, Building 7, Room 341 or from the Information Desk located on the 2nd floor of the Peter A. Spina Administration Building.

•      Know where other emergency telephones are located throughout each campus, such as the hallways, labs, and learning centers.

•      Make sure that you subscribe to the SUNY NY Alert mass notification system. Further information regarding the SUNY NY Alert Emergency Notification System can be obtained from the MCC Website by following this link: www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstd/NYAlert.htm

Walking around campus

•      Familiarize yourself with the layout of the campus and the surrounding areas.
•      Plan the safest route to your destination by choosing well-lit busy walkways, hallways, and roadways.
•      Share your class schedule with your family and trusted friends and provide them your telephone contact numbers.
•      At night, stick to well-lighted areas whenever possible and avoid alleyways or “short cuts” through isolated areas.

•      Travel in groups and avoid going out alone at night.
•      Use the Public Safety escort service at the Brighton and Damon City Campus locations.
•      If you are being followed, change direction and go to the nearest business, home, occupied classroom or campus office. Knock on the door, and request that someone call MCC Public Safety or the Police if you’re at an off-campus location. Note the physical description of the person following you and their last known location of travel.

•      Walk near the curb and utilize paved walkways whenever possible. Always avoid shrubbery or other places of potential concealment.

•      Tell a friend or roommate where you are going and what time you expect to return. Encourage them to call the authorities should you not return from your destination is a reasonable period of time.

•      Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
•    Always carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip with the purse flap placed against your body. Men should always carry their wallets in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket for protection from pick pockets.

•      Keep your keys separate from your purse or backpack.
•      Don’t overload yourself with bags or packages and avoid wearing shoes that restrict your movements. As an added safety precaution wear appropriate footwear in the winter months to avoid potential slips and falls.

•      Walk with a confident stride; keep your head up and look around. Travel to your destination using the safest, quickest, most direct route possible. Always avoid looking lost, confused or distracted.

•      If a motorist stops and asks for directions, keep your distance from the vehicle while providing directions or assistance. Avoid prolonged conversations and feel free to deny assistance whenever you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

In the residence halls

•      Always lock your main entry and suite doors, even when you’re sleeping or just going down the hall.
•      Don’t allow strangers to enter your room. Do not open your door unless you can identify the person seeking entry.

•      Don’t let unknown individuals “tailgate” in behind you. Ask who they are visiting and offer to call Public Safety.

•      Don’t prop any exterior doors to allow unescorted visitors into the residence hall (pizza delivery, friends, etc.).

•      Report lost or stolen residence hall keys immediately to your residence hall staff.
•      Report any malfunctioning locks, doors or windows to your residence life staff.
•      Don’t leave your keys, personal property, or valuables lying around in your room.
•      Don’t leave messages on your door about when you will be returning to your room.
•      Tell a roommate or friend if you are planning to be away overnight or for a few days.
•      Report any suspicious persons or activities (including solicitors) in or near your residence hall to your residence hall staff or Public Safety.

•      Secure your valuables and engrave expensive items with identifying information.
•      Always lock your doors and windows at night, especially if you reside on the first or second floors.
•      Get to know your RA, residence life staff, Public Safety staff and neighbors.
•      Participate in residence hall and public safety programming efforts.
•      Watch out for each other.

Your MCC Crime Prevention Team

Lee Struble
Public Safety
01/29/2010