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Monday, February 14, 2011

College Student Safety

As a parent of a new college student who was eager to leave the safety and comfort of our parental control, I gave a few suggestions for my daughter before she departed for her new experience. She made sure to tell me that I worry too much and she would be fine. Within about two week's time, the phone call started coming in from her about things that had happened to her which she had no control over. As a veteran police officer, I would like to give a few things for college students to think about while they pursue their dreams.
There is safety in numbers. Often times, college students become independent to the point that they feel secure walking across campus alone at various times of the day and night. This is a situation that could lead to the student becoming a victim of a crime. Perpetrators often study patterns which we all establish in our everyday lifestyles. We take the same path of travel to and from the groceries store along with to and from work or in this case class.
Break the habit. Get in a habit of taking various routes to and from scheduled events. This simple act can decrease the potential of becoming a victim of a crime and will soon become a life saving daily habit. Another common mistake college student make is drinking alcohol beyond their ability and metabolism. This leaves students vulnerable to being physically controlled and overpowered. There have been many reported rapes on college campuses across the county that female victims could not recall the events of the attack due to their level of intoxication.
Let's face it; part of the college experience is to experience the party scene. By implementing a few party safety tips, students can enjoy the experience without becoming victims. First, get into the habit of keeping drinking glasses in your possession. If you become separated from your glass for any reason, never drink from a cup after you have left it unattended. There is a significant chance of an unattended drinking glass being tampered with by perpetrators dumping drugs into it.
Don't allow people into your car you don't know well. Students fresh to the college scene are dependent upon establishing friendships to accommodate their need to become popular. Students with vehicle often become popular avenues of transportation for students without cars. Drivers are often put into situation where they are designated as the sober driver for a group of people they don't know. This can lead to the potential of rape or assault. This situation also leads to more DUI arrests due to the previous mentioned need to be accepted and popular. Drivers will drink to fit into the group and end up paying the price when they get pulled over for minor traffic violation associated with alcohol impairment. This decision can also lead to motor vehicle accidents causing injuries or death of occupants.
Purchase a personal defense product and keep it in your possession at all times. There are many products available which are legal to carry without a permit. Items such as defense spray, Taser's, and Stun Guns are inexpensive and well worth the investment into your personal safety. By following these few suggestions, you and your family can feel at ease knowing you have a safety plan in place while you experience the college life you have been waiting for all of your life. For more related self defense articles, please visit our website.

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