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Safety Tips

Always be aware and alert of your surroundings.

  • Avoid walking alone at night- Use the Buddy System.
  • Avoid shortcuts, deserted areas, alleys, and poorly lit streets.
  • Don’t text and walk - you can become distracted and unaware of your surroundings.
  • Know your campus - Familiarize yourself with building names, room numbers, and streets.
  • Know the exits of the building where you study, work, or visit.
  • Keep doors and windows locked to your dorm/apartment at all times.

Personal Safety and your vehicle:

  • Scan the area when approaching your vehicle.
  • Have your keys out and ready.
  • Do not overload yourself with packages.
  • As you enter your vehicle, quickly scan the back seat area.
  • Look all doors once inside the vehicle.
  • Do not open the door to strangers.
  • Keep your valuables out of sight, lock them in the trunk.
  • Park in well lighted-areas.
  • If you drive a small car, avoid parking next to a big car or truck.
  • Never let your gas indicator fall below ¼ full.
  • Remember: Hide your valuables, lock your car, and take your keys.
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  • Report lost or stolen keys to your dorm/ apartment to Residence Life Assistant immediately and change your lock immediately.
  • Keep your room door locked and secured at all times, even when you’re sleeping or stepping out for a few minutes.
  • Always lock your doors and windows at night, especially if you reside on the first and second floors.
  • Do not prop open any exterior doors or gates.
  • Report any malfunctioning locks, doors or windows to your residence life staff.
  • Always look through the peephole or window to see who it is before you unlock the door.
  • Do not open the door to solicitors or strangers.
  • If you do not recognize the visitor, ask them questions through the door so they can identify themselves.
  • Don’t mark your room key or keychain with the apartment number.
  • Do not give anyone a key to your room.
  • At night, have your keys ready before you reach the door.
  • Do not leave messages on your door about when you will be returning.
  • Tell a roommate or trusted friend if you are planning to be away overnight or for a few days.
  • Make sure ovens and stovetops are turned off after every use.
  • Get to know your RA, residence life staff and neighbors.
  • Report suspicious activities, persons or solicitors immediately to University Police at 747-5611.
  • Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located in your apartment complex.
  • Know your exits in the building in case of a fire or evacuation.
  • Have an EXIT strategy in case of an emergency.

Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from identity theft:

  • Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Only give out your SSN when necessary.
  • Don't share personal information (birthdate, Social Security number, or bank account number) online or over the phone.
  • Review your credit card and bank account statements. Compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
  • Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired credit cards. This can prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information.
  • Store personal information in a safe place.
  • Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer.
  • Use the security features on your mobile phone.
  • Update sharing and firewall settings when you're on a public wi-fi network. Use a virtual private network (VPN), if you use public wi-fi.
  • Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases.
  • Review your credit reports once a year. Be certain that they don't include accounts that you have not opened.
  • You can freeze your credit files to prevent someone from applying for and getting approval for a credit account or utility services in your name.

Source: https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft

 Instances of identity theft should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the following means:

 

For more info on Identity Theft, visit:

UTEP Information Security Office

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

What is stalking?

The Clery Act defines stalking as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or safety of others, and/ or suffer substantial emotional distress.

What can you do?

  • Report incident to University Police at 915-747-5611

  • Report incident to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) at 915-747-8694.

    Learn more at: staIkingawarenessmonth.org

You Do Not Have to Walk Alone

The University Police Department provides a Safety Escort Service for people who feel they need extra security getting to their vehicle. Patrol officers will walk with you to your vehicle. Students, faculty, and staff can call 915-747-5611 to request this free, on-campus service.

 

What is Dating Violence?

Dating violence means an act by an individual that is committed against another individual with whom that person has or has had a dating relationship and that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, or that is a threat that reasonably places the individual in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself.

What are the signs?

  • History of legal or discipline problems.

  • Blames you for his or her anger.

  • Threatens regularly.

If you are a victim of dating violence:

  • Call 9-1-1.

  • Report incident to

    University Police 915-747-5611.

Additional Resources:

  • University Counseling Center, Union Building West, Room 202, 915-747-5302

  • Center Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence: 915-593-7300

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 800-787-3224

You Do Not Have to Walk Alone

The University Police Department provides a Safety Escort Service for people who feel they need extra security getting to their vehicle. Patrol officers will walk with you to your vehicle. Students, faculty, and staff can call 915-747-5611 to request this free, on-campus service.

 

If an active shooter situation occurs on campus, there are ways to be prepared to deal with the situation. Take time to become familiar with your surroundings and environment before an emergency occurs. Keep these steps in mind:

AVOID starts with your state of mind 

  • Know your building exits and always have an exit strategy in mind 
  • Don't limit yourself to doors. Think about secondary exits, windows, fires escapes to get out and avoid the threat
  • When safe to do so call 911 

DENY access when getting away is difficult or maybe impossible 

If unable to exit the facility safely, lock or barricade the door

Create barriers

  • Heavier is better 
  • More is better 

DEFEND and develop a plan of action 

 

  • If you cannot, AVOID, or DENY. be prepared to DEFEND yourself.
  • As a last resort, try to incapacitate the shooter.  Implement your plan and be aggressive and committed to your actions

 

Visit utep.edu/police to view “Shots Fired on Campus” safety video. A valid UTEP login is required to view video.

TALK, TEXT, CRASH

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert drivers from their primary task: driving. If you are texting while driving, you are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. That text can wait.

  • Do not drink and drive.

  • Do not text and drive.

  • Buckle up before driving.

  • Obey traffic laws.

  • Maintain your vehicle.

  • Be aware of your surroundings.

  • Do not leave packages visible in your vehicle.

  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

  • Keep online shopping to familiar websites.

  • Never share credit card information over the phone.

Motorists are encouraged to be extra alert on the road for nearby motorcyclists. Remember to always...

  • Share the road

  • Look twice for motorcycles

Motorcycle riders are encouraged to:

  • Ride sober

  • Be visible

  • Dress for safety

  • Know your bike and how to use it

  • Take your keys.

  • Lock your doors.

  • Remove valuable items from your car to discourage theft.

  • Never leave your car engine running.

  • Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle.

  • Never leave your windows open.

  • Park in well-lit areas.

  • Consider an audible alarm system and a visible anti-theft device.

  • Larcenies (theft of personal property) are crimes of opportunity and occur primarily when property is left in unlocked or unattended areas.

  • Never leave your valuables unattended.

  • Engrave your personal valuables with your state-issued driver's license. 

  • Keep a list of all items and serial numbers in a safe place.

  • Laptops are primary targets of theft. Consider the purchase of a locking security or tracking device.

  • Secure bicycles to bike rack with U-type lock and keep your bike indoors if you're going on vacation.

Remember:

HIDE IT.

LOCK IT.

KEEP IT.

M.I.N.E.R.S. Advocacy Initiative promotes greater campus awareness and consciousness regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The program aims to:

  • Provide education through programs/events

  • Empower students to access resources

  • Advocate for a violence-free campus

Join the M.I.N.E.R.S. Advocacy Initiative!

Contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 915-747-8694.

Connect With Us

The University of Texas at El Paso
UTEP Police Department
Next to Facility Services
3118 Sun Bowl Drive
El Paso, Texas 79968

E: police@utep.edu (Email is not monitored 24 hours a day)
P: (915) 747-5611
F: (915) 838-0304