Staying Safe On Campus

Walking around the streets of Evanston at night can seem pretty scary. Dimly lit streets and long empty roads are enough to make the average person conjure images of danger in every shadow. The reality is that both night and day can be equally dangerous to students if they are not aware of ways to protect themselves at all times.

Although something as simple as being alert and aware of your surroundings seems like a no brainer, it is often the most important part of staying safe in every setting and situation.

 “Knowing your surroundings is key, sometimes people are most vulnerable when they are talking on the phone and not paying attention,” said a Northwestern University dispatcher, who was unable to share his name with us.

Safety can be as simple as know what’s around you. For instance, looking for areas that are well lit and have people can keep you out of harms way. On top of that, know what suspicious people and situations can look like. If you aren’t comfortable, you’re probably right.

 “It’s just simple things like avoiding big bushes at night and trying to be distraction free when you’re walking,’ said Anca Ulea, a Medill sophomore.

Mallory Mattimore-Malan, the Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators Training Chair and SESP junior, suggests traveling with friends, keeping your phone nearby and usingSafeRide can help you stay out of scary situations.

Dangerous encounters can happen anytime and you can’t dismiss what happens to other students, says Mattimore-Malan

“What I think is wrong with that kind of attitude is that you’re putting yourself at risk for denying yourself the opportunity to be safer,” she said.

But sometimes, simply being aware is not enough. Less than two weeks ago a Northwestern student was held at gunpoint by two men at Orrington Ave. and Simpson St. The men tried to take the students wallet.