| 83% of college students will experience crime. What | | | | plenty of stressors in their life, such as exams, papers, |
| will the other 17 % do different? | | | | presentations, jobs, friends, and even family. If they are |
| I was sitting around the dinner table talking to my kids | | | | like the average college student, they will have enough |
| when the subject of college came up. They shared all | | | | on their mind without having to worry about school |
| their hopes and dreams about the college life. I thought | | | | safety, but unfortunately, in this day and age, staying |
| to myself man this a big step for kids who barely | | | | safe on campus is an issue that students must think |
| know how to clean their own room. They have no | | | | about. Fortunately most crimes can be prevented with |
| idea about the streets outside this community. | | | | extra precaution. |
| Since college was fast approaching for one of them. I | | | | Tell your college student to only admit their visitors to |
| began to think of ways I can make a difference. Ideas | | | | the residence halls. Your student can also aid in |
| started to come. I know I will tell them what friends to | | | | security by making sure outside doors of residence |
| make. No, they rarely listen to that advice now. Oh I | | | | halls shut securely behind them. During peak hours, it is |
| know, I will give them advice on getting good grades. | | | | a good idea to double check security doors as you |
| No, better not, multiple guesses did not work well for | | | | enter and leave. When a door is left open, insist that |
| me either. | | | | your resident assistant or security guard check for |
| Hey, the college parties are always interesting. I will just | | | | doors left ajar during the day and at night. |
| tell them not to go to those things no matter how | | | | Students should never loan their room key to anyone |
| much fun they seem to be. Yeah, that will work. But | | | | under any circumstances. Make sure your apartment |
| wait, they maybe several hundred miles away, how do | | | | or dorm room has secure locks on doors and |
| I know if they take my advice? How do I know now? | | | | windows. Always lock your apartment or dorm room |
| Sure they say OK. | | | | even if you are going to be gone for just a few |
| It never dawn me to tell them how to stay safe and | | | | minutes. Also be sure to lock your doors at night as |
| secure in an environment full of ways to become a | | | | well. Have the locks changed if you ever lose the keys |
| victim. The most significant contribution you can make | | | | to your residence. |
| to your Kids College life is making sure they finish | | | | Criminals shy away from loud noise or attention so |
| without becoming a victim of crime. | | | | leave lights or a radio on at your apartment so it looks |
| Going to college is a slam dunk decision for most | | | | like someone is always home. Never open the door |
| people. The average college graduate earns 70 | | | | for someone you do not know. Ask anyone who |
| percent more than those who stop at a high school | | | | gives you a ride home to wait around until you have |
| diploma. Because crime on college campuses has | | | | safely entered your apartment or dorm building. |
| been on the rise within the past few years, it is crucial | | | | College is stressful enough without having an act of |
| for students to follow certain safety tips. | | | | crime divert you from the road to success. Have you |
| Criminals choose college students because they are | | | | college student learn about security in the surrounding |
| seen as easy prey. Most of them are away from | | | | area as soon as they arrive. Learn as much as you |
| home for the first time and are usually very trusting. | | | | can about the people with whom you associate. If any |
| They want to make a good impression so they strive | | | | of them seem like bad news report them and seek |
| to please everyone even undesirables. | | | | new company. |
| You do not have to be an expert to give a student | | | | Trust your gut feeling and be careful whom you take |
| advice on the little things that will make them safe and | | | | into your confidence, because people with whom you |
| possibly save a life. Dormitories and apartment | | | | associate may commit crimes. College is new |
| complexes and housing areas surrounding college | | | | adventure and you should not spoiled it by being |
| campuses are especially vulnerable to criminal activity. | | | | unaware of your surrounding and giving criminals half a |
| Throughout the college years, your child will have | | | | chance. |