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Personal Safety

Personal Alarm for Students

The Brown University Department of Public Safety offers a FREE personal alarm that students can carry and use for efficiently alerting individuals nearby that they are in danger. The personal alarm can be carried in your purse, in your pocket or attached to a belt. It can be used in an emergency to call for help, draw attention to a situation or scare off a would-be attacker. The alarm is activated when the strap attached to the alarm pin is pulled emitting an ear splitting high pitched sound and also causing a light on the device to flash. It can also be used to protect your purse, book bag or a hand carried bag. To silence the alarm, simply insert the pin back into the device.

Personal alarms are convenient to carry and are extremely loud giving you the attention drawing capability you need when it matters most. Instructions for these uses are available with the device.

The alarm can be picked up at Public Safety Headquarters located at 75 Charlesfield Street or the Crime Prevention Unit at 310 Thayer Street. For additional information on the alarm, contact Crime Prevention Officer Mark J. Perry at 863-1438.

Personal Safety

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

It's important to recognize where you are on campus and who is around you at all times. Keep in mind the following tips to help you stay safe, especially late at night:

  1. Walk with your head up and stay alert. Pay attention to people approaching you; this will help eliminate their element of surprise.
  2. Be cautious of strangers. Criminals will often ask for directions or money in an attempt to invade your personal space prior to a crime.
  3. Avoid isolation by walking along well lit and well-traveled routes. Always consider using Safe walk or Safe RIDE, and avoid walking alone at night.
  4. Know the locations of emergency blue light phones around campus.

Suspicious Behavior

Always err on the side of caution and report suspicious persons or circumstances. Trust your instincts; if something doesn't look or feel right to you, call 9-1-1. Report a description of the subject and his/her behavior. You may also occasionally find that somebody is paying you too much unwanted attention. If you find yourself in this situations, take the following steps to ensure the behavior ceases:

  1. Assertively communicate that you want the behavior to stop.
  2. Set and maintain personal boundaries.
  3. Never allow yourself to be isolated with the person.
  4. Maintain a log of unwanted calls, emails or other interactions.
  5. When in doubt, reach out to Providence Police.

On the Street

  •  Do not go out walking or jogging alone after dark. Ask a friend or a group of friends to accompany you.
  • Ask a friend for a ride or call Safe Ride shuttle or wait for a friend to walk with when going out after dark.
  • Walk on main streets. Avoid dark or isolated spots.
  • Walk in the middle of the sidewalk to avoid accessibility of cars pulling up or people hiding in parked cars, doorways, or bushes.
  • Ignore strangers who may call out to you, whether they are on foot or in a car.
  • Look alert while walking ready to exit if trouble develops. Be aware of your body language. Look strong and aggressive. Walk confidently and briskly.
  • If you must walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood, try to plan your route in advance.
  • If you feel as though you're in danger of being followed by someone on foot, cross the street, change direction, vary your pace. Don't be afraid to knock on a door or enter a lighted store and call police.
  • If someone in a car follows you, turn around and walk the other way, or go up a one-way street. If they persist, record the license number and call the police.

If You are Assaulted or Held Up

  • Don't panic. Hand over your wallet or purse quickly and quietly. Get as good a description of your assailant as possible.
  • If you are attacked: 1) If at all possible, flee immediately. 2) Be realistic about your ability to protect yourself. An immediate reaction of yelling, biting, kicking, may give you a chance to escape, but be aware that these actions could expose you to further harm. REMEMBER: Every emergency situation is different. Only you can decide which course of action is appropriate.
  • If you are able to break away, run toward lights, people. Continue to scream to attract attention.
  • Report to police immediately if you are a victim of crime. Always press charges.

In Your Apartment

  • Always keep exterior as well as interior doors locked.
  • Never leave apartment doors propped open for friends.
  • Always keep apartment/basement doors and windows locked when you are not home.
  • Never leave keys for roommates outside of apartment.
  • Use an electrical timer for a lamp to be lit when the apartment is vacant.
  • Never let anyone into the apartment before finding out who it is.
  • At night, have your keys ready before you get to your door.
  • Get to know the students and neighbors in your building and become acquainted with their schedule of being home.
  • Encourage your landlord to provide lighting in the entrance to your apartment/stairway/driveway.
  • If you live alone and leave for a long period of time, place you valuables in storage.
  • If you receive obscene phone calls, hang up and call the police.
  • Notify the police if any unfamiliar person is hanging around your building.
  • Pull down window shades at night.
  • Use the Safe Ride shuttle when leaving Brown at night

For additional information visit the Brown Department of Public Safety web site at:

http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Public_Safety/