Police offer tips to improve campus safety

The K-State Police serve the community daily, enforcing the laws and policies on campus. The most recent campus crime trends indicate that offenses such as robbery and on-campus theft have decreased.

Ronnie Grice, assistant vice president of public safety and chief of police, said the most common violations the campus police deal with are traffic violations and then theft of personal property.

Grice said he encourages students to familiarize themselves with their surroundings should they need to deal with some kind of emergency.

He especially encouraged locating the emergency phones placed around campus and using the different public safety programs like SafeRide and the Silent Witness program available at www.ksu.edu/police/silent.

Use Wildcat Walk Escort Service

Of these programs, Grice said the Wildcat Walk Escort Service is one he highly encourages students to use to stay safe at night.

"It's always good to travel in groups or with another person," said Capt. Don Stubbings of the campus police. "If there is not another person to walk with, use our Wildcat Walk service."

The service operates 24 hours a day, every day. To use the service, students can dial 785-395-SAFE (7233) or press one of the blue light phone emergency buttons to have a police escort or security guard walk them to another on-campus destination or up to two blocks off campus.

A police or security escort will meet the caller as quickly as possible. Persons driving to campus can arrange to be met in the parking lot and escorted to the residence halls or another location. The program is free.

"That's one that we really encourage when you have been in the library late at night or you're doing some studying late," Grice said.

important contacts

Emergency phone number:                              911 or 9-911

Administrative phone number:                        785-532-6412

Internet address                                   www.ksu.edu/police

Anonymous and confidential reporting: www.ksu.edu/police/silent

Stop at Crosswalks for All Drivers

Grice said there has been an increase in the number of individuals getting hit at crosswalks.

"Just be careful that you stop and look both ways and don't just assume that the driver is going to stop," Grice said.

Follow Local Laws,  Like Phone Ban

Since K-State is annexed to the city, any law made can apply to campus. Both Grice and Stubbings said the new state and city laws regarding cell phone usage are probably the most overlooked laws on campus.

"It is now unlawful in the city of Manhattan to talk on a cell phone or text while driving," Grice said.

He said violators currently get warnings, but after Jan. 1, 2011, officers will be able to fine drivers.

Prevent Crime with Safe Habits

Stubbings said the best ways for students to prevent crime is to secure their valuables, lock their rooms, even when leaving for a short period like dinner, and communicate with their roommates about room security and who is locking the door. Stubbings also said it is important to record serial numbers of high value items.

If a crime is witnessed, Stubbings said the first thing to do is call the police. He also said it is important to try to remember important information like the suspect's description and vehicle information.

"Report it immediately," he said. "The quicker we can start an investigation the better the chance your items can be recovered."