Office of Public Safety

Committed to providing quality public safety services to the campus community

Office of Public Safety / Campus Safety / Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Public Safety encourages all students to take steps to prevent crimes involving their residences, their property, and themselves.

Download the Seahwak Safe Mobile App

Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

Theft of personal property is an ongoing concern. Here are a few tips for safety of yourself and your property. It is important that you take preventative measures to help ensure you are not a victim of theft or other serious crimes.

IF A PERSON SEES SOMETHING OR SOMEONE SUSPICIOUS, THE PERSON SHOULD SAY SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY

ON CAMPUS

  • Don’t walk alone; always walk in a group or with a friend.  If a person does not have someone with whom to walk, contact the Office of Public Safety (240-895-4911) for an escort.  Escorts are provided from dusk until dawn.
  • Choose well-lighted paths and avoid shortcuts. If an area light is out, please report it to the Physical Plant (240-895-4287) or Public Safety (240-895-4911).
  • Be Aware! If a person believe he/she is being followed, the person should occasionally look behind him/her and if possible, immediately use the 911 Shield mobile app,  head for the nearest emergency blue light phone, lighted building, or group of people. See the Emergency Phone map.

IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS

  • Never loan or give a room key or access card to anyone.
  • Don’t block open residence hall doors! It is dangerous to everyone in the building.
  • Don’t leave rooms open or unlocked or go to sleep with a door unlocked.
  • Don’t leave windows unlocked when no one is present in the room.
  • Establish consistent safety practices with roommates and suitemates by discussing these safety tips.
  • Report lost keys or access card immediately.  Public Safety has a lost and found and can be contacted at (240) 895-4911.
  • Contact an RA or Residence Life Coordinator immediately if there is a belief that safety is being compromised in the residence.

BIKES

  • Use bike racks on campus.
  • Bikes locked to trees may be impounded by the Office of Public Safety.
  • Record the serial number and a physical description (make, model, and color) of the bike. Keep the sales receipt.
  • Register bikes with the Office of Public Safety at (240) 895-4911.
  • Always lock bikes with a high quality lock. U-Locks are recommended nationally.
  • Lights, bags and cycling computers are easy to steal, so consider removing them when not in use.
  • Ride smart and safely. Use signals, be aware of car doors and remember to announce oneself to pedestrians on campus.

PROTECT CARS

  • Always Lock!
  • Windows should always be rolled up completely.
  • Don’t leave valuable items in view. Put bags and boxes in the trunk and use a stereo with a removable faceplate. Don’t ever leave a cell phone out!
  • If a Parking Decal is stolen, report the theft to Public Safety at (240) 895-4911.

PROPERTY SAFETY

  • Utilize the Office of Public Safety property registration program to register and record valuable property.  Public Safety will mark property by engraving it with the owner’s driver’s license number and recording the serial number so it can be identified.  If marked property is stolen, and recovered the description and identifying number can be used to return the property to the owner.
  • When in the library, campus center, or academic buildings, do not leave any property unattended, even for a minute.
  • In the locker room, always lock individual lockers. It is an easy way to prevent wallet theft

SAFETY EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAMS

Safety Education and Safety programs are designed to inform students and employees about campus safety and security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.

NEW STUDENT MEETINGS

During new student orientation Public Safety Officers meet with incoming students and present information on safety and crime prevention as well as additional information on college policies.

SAFETY DAY

Public Safety conducted its annual Safety Day September 20, 2019.  This event consisted of safety information, handouts, safety demonstrations, training opportunities, golf cart course using “drunk” goggles and a dunk tank for fun.  Presenters were from the College SMART team, Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Title IX, Peer to Peer Educators, Residence Life and the Office of Public Safety.

SAFETY ESCORT PROGRAM

Public Safety will escort any student from one campus location to another if they contact the Office of Public Safety at 240-895-4911 or x4911and report feeling unsafe between the hours of dusk and dawn. These escorts may be given in a Public Safety vehicle or on foot by a uniformed Public Safety Officer.

PROPERTY REGISTRATION PROGRAM

Any member of the College community who has items of value on campus, including but not limited to laptops, bicycles, etc. can bring the item to the Office of Public Safety and have the item(s) registered.  The Office of Public Safety will engrave the owner’s driver’s license number onto the item and keep a record of the item(s).  The property registration program will not help prevent theft of an item but will assist Public Safety or local law enforcement in identifying the owner if it is recovered. 

RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE (RAD) TRAINING PROGRAM

The Office of Public Safety is currently offering Rape Aggression Defense or RAD training programs for the campus community.  Information on this program is available via a link of the Public Safety home page.

In addition to community education and programs, the Office of Public Safety seeks proactive solutions to crime and safety threats.

Public Safety Officers work closely with Residence Life Staff who receives training regarding confrontation, assertiveness, College rules and regulations, and the Code of Student Conduct.

Programs for students are offered periodically regarding such issues as personal safety, rape and sexual assault, and protection of personal property. Students are informed not only of the policies and procedures regarding these issues, but also various resources for help, including Counseling Services, Health Services, Public Safety, Title IX, and community services.   Other Crime Prevention and Safety Programs held occasionally around campus include Alcohol and Drug awareness, Fire Safety, Internet Safety, and Travel Safety.