As summer approaches, Belmont Students have been receiving more and more e-mails from Campus Security in regards to recent crime happening in the Nashville area. Sexual assaults, robberies, and murders all happening within a few blocks of home can make students feel a little less than safe walking around. Going to school in an urban area comes with some major advantages, but also some scary alternatives, especially at night. Here are some ways to make yourself feel prepared:
Try to Walk in Groups
Headed to the library? Try to go with a friend, so you can walk back to your dorms together. Walking with larger groups of people, or even with just two people, can influence whether or not you are a target to strangers with ill intentions.
Carry Pepper Spray
JUST DO IT, OKAY? Put it on your lanyard, with your car keys. Always keep it in a quick and convenient spot; if you are walking alone, hold it in your hand and keep an eye on your surroundings.
Stay in Well- Lit Places
If it is dark outside and there are no streetlights, it is probably best to take another route where you know there will be more traffic and people around in case you need help. Not being able to see is clearly a huge vulnerability when traveling by foot on a college campus, and someone may not be afraid to take advantage of the loss of sight.
Know Your Campus
Before attending your college, try and look at maps and other resources to know where to go if you need help in a tough situation. Know where your friends live, and the best ways to get there.
Let Someone Know Where You Are
College is exciting because you finally get to be in control of where you are, but it’s always a good idea to let someone you trust know if you are going to a strange place. If you’re taking an Uber or Lyft alone, screenshot the driver’s information and send it to a friend.
Know Emergency Contacts
Usually during orientation, phone numbers of the campus police and security offices are handed out freely. Put them in your phone! If you need them, it will be easier to search for the name in your contact list instead of Googling the number itself.