Campus safety is everybody’s concern and responsibility, and to promote safety awareness the Department of Public Safety has issued SafeKeeping, an informal and informative, 24-page publication on campus safety designed for students.

Safekeeping is now available online at [www.udel.edu/Public Safety/SafeKeeping.htm] and in print from the Office of Public Safety at 413 Academy St. Copies also may be requested by calling (302) 831-1204 or sending an e-mail to [publicsafety@udel.edu].

“Safekeeping looks at safety issues from several sources—residence life, the Newark Police Department and the students themselves, who tell what they do to ‘stay safe,’” Larry Thornton, UD director of public safety, says. “In one package, there is a variety of information on services, facilities and special programs, such as Rape Aggression Defense Training, and the expectations we have for students in terms of campus safety.

“We plan to update Safekeeping periodically, and it will be the focus of our presentations at DelaWorld and Blue & Golden Saturdays, as well as other events for prospective and current students,” Thornton says.

SafeKeeping is an almanac of safety information. In a lively and interesting format, it links the role and services provided by Public Safety and the University to what students and members of the campus community can do to enhance campus safety and to be safe themselves.

For example, there is a quiz entitled “Are you safety-conscious or a disaster waiting to happen?” “X-walk games” focuses on pedestrian safety.
An article on Residence Life emergency preparedness is based on the actual steps taken for the arrival of Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

A section on Student Police Aides follows them as they make their rounds on a stormy November night.

Safety issues surrounding drinking alcohol also are addressed in an article entitled “Alcohol is key factor in vulnerability to crime.”

“Just say no to ‘tailgaters’ ” looks at the problem of strangers entering residence halls, by following students into buildings.

The front page features articles on the Department of Public Safety itself, serving the campus “24/7/365.”

UD, which received the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Award, is constantly upgrading its efforts to ensure campus safety, according to SafeKeeping, including the installation of several thousand outdoor lights and more than 200 blue light emergency phones. Student escort service has been expanded, and a new Mobile Command Unit has been acquired for on-the-scene emergencies such as fires or storms and for use at large events on campus such as football games and Commencement.

Public Safety also has taken advantage of new technology with mobile computers in its patrol cars, a modern dispatch system and links to the statewide police communications system.

Students are encouraged to do their part, too, by following commonsense pointers, including being aware of surroundings, not walking alone at night, locking car doors, locking dorm rooms, reporting suspicious activity and getting to know their Community Police Officers.
Safekeeping was produced in the Office of Public Relations, with design by Lane McLaughlin, art director, and editorial content by Margo McDonough, editor, and freelance writer Sharon Roat, AS ’87.

All UD students have been notified about SafeKeeping via e-mail and are encouraged to get and read a copy. Parents also are invited to view the booklet online or request that a copy be sent to them.