Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention is: the anticipation,
recognition and appraisal of a crime risk
and the initiation of some action to remove
or reduce it.
Three things are needed for a
crime to occur
Crime Prevention’s
main goal is to
reduce the
opportunity
through awareness
and pro-action
INITIATION OF ACTION
• Take steps to remove or reduce the risk
• Prepare a safety plan and practice it
regularly
• Learn about crime prevention and
encourage your peers to do the same
Statistics
Crime in Bemidji (2005): Pop. 13,296
• 1 murder (7.6 per 100,000)
• 11 rapes (84.0 per 100,000)
• 38 assaults (290.1 per 100,000)
• http://www.city-data.com/city/BemidjiMinnesota.html
Statistics
Crime in Winona (2005): Pop. 26,587
• 0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)
• 3 rape (11.3 per 100,000)
• 22 assaults (82.7 per 100,000)
• http://www.city-data.com/city/WinonaMinnesota.html
Statistics
Crime in Moorhead (2005): Pop. 34,081
• 1 murder (3.0 per 100,000)
• 16 rapes (47.6 per 100,000)
• 37 assaults (110.1 per 100,000)
• http://www.city-data.com/city/MoorheadMinnesota.html
Statistics
Crime in St. Cloud: Pop. 65,792
• 2 murders (3.1 per 100,000)
• 59 rapes (91.1 per 100,000)
• 156 assaults (241.0 per 100,000)
• http://www.city-data.com/city/St-CloudMinnesota.html
Statistics
Crime in Mankato (2005): Pop. 34,976
• 0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)
• 41 rape (118.2 per 100,000)
• 62 assaults (178.8 per 100,000)
• http://www.city-data.com/city/MankatoMinnesota.html
Personal Safety
The following
precautions should be
adopted within a
cultural/gender context.
They will not guarantee
safety, but they will
minimize criminal
opportunities.
Traveling By Foot
• Walk on well lit routes.
• Have your keys in hand ready to open a
locked door.
• Call for an escort (campus *389* 2111).
• When possible let someone you know and
trust aware of your return time and route.
• Avoid walking alone at night.
• Refrain from taking shortcuts. Walk where
there is plenty of light and traffic.
Traveling By Automobile
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Keep gas tank above ½ tank and keep a map in the car.
Park in well lit areas and check for loiterers.
Try to park close to your destination.
When getting into a parked car, check the backseat and floor for
strangers.
Keep windows up and doors locked.
In traffic, leave an adequate space between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front. If someone approaches and tries to enter your
vehicle, honk the horn and drive away.
Be cautious of individuals offering help.
Do Not stop to assist stranded motorists. Locate a telephone and
call for help.
Do Not pick up hitchhikers.
If your vehicle gets a flat tire, drive until you reach a well lit area.
Suspect Someone Is Following You
In Your Vehicle?
• Drive to the nearest police or fire station
and ask for help.
• Drive to an open business and call the
police.
• Do Not leave your vehicle unless you are
sure you can get into a building safely.
• Do Not drive to your residence.
If Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled
• Activate the hazards.
• Raise the hood.
• Be cautious of individuals who stop to
help.
• Ask stranger through a closed window to
call the police.
• Video: Travelling Alone In America
Safety At Home or Apartment
• During darkness have lights at all entrances.
• Have good locks with secondary locks on windows and doors. Use
them!
• Put only the first letter of your first name on your mailbox and in
telephone directories.
• Have a male record the message on your answering machine.
• Do Not open the door for strangers for any reason.
• Do Not let strangers in your residence to use the telephone, offer to
make a call for them.
• Do Not hide extra keys outside of your residence.
• Do Not give out personal information to anyone (especially
telephone solicitors).
• Know your neighbors. Know who you can trust and depend.
Socializing
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Do Not leave a drink unattended.
Do Not go out alone.
Do Not go home with strangers.
Do Not accept a ride home with strangers.
Do Not compromise your ability to make sound decisions. (e.g.
drinking excessively)
• Do Not give strangers your address.
• Contrary to the common stereotype of an unknown stranger
attacking in a dark alley, acquaintance rape—also known as date
rape—is a more widespread phenomenon. Research studies have
found that 1 in 4 college women have experienced rape or
attempted rape, and 90% of the victims knew their assailant (Crime
Victim Center and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault,
1992)
• Keep in regular contact with those that you go out with throughout
the evening.
Assaults
• If after property- let them have it
• If able to avoid or get away- go toward
people
• Know your physical abilities and
limitations
• If they say they have a weapon- believe
it
• Try to remember a description of the
person
If Sexually Assaulted
• Tell someone
• Get medical attention
• Seek counseling; whether or not you think
you need it
• Report the incident to police
• Do not feel guilty- you did nothing wrong
Patrol Division
• The Security Patrol Division is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year to perform the following duties:
-Provide 24-hours, 365 days a year, vehicle and foot patrols
-Investigate theft, vandalism, and other crimes
-Available to provide security for special campus events
-Provide assistance to faculty, staff, students, and visitors
-Compile information for MSU incident reports
-Act as a liaison with the Mankato Department of Public Safety
Emergency Phones
• Minnesota State University, Mankato provides
Emergency Phones in Residential Hall Parking lots, the
far lots (lots 20-23), the arboretum and other various
locations for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The
phones are prominently located and marked with blue in
each area.
Escort Services
• Our Escort Service provides a walking escort 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year to and from any University building,
parking lot, or residence hall. In addition, we will escort
individuals to or from selected off-campus rental
facilities. All escorts must begin on or end on University
Property.
Now It’s Up To You…
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Think about your safety
Plan ahead
Be sensitive to the safety of others
Do not give a criminal opportunity