Crime Prevention Tips
- Be aware of your surroundings and alert to strangers
- Avoid potentially dangerous situations
- Park and walk in well lit, frequently traveled areas
- Avoid walking alone at night
- Utilize campus escort services provided by security
- Learn where emergency telephones are located on the campus
- Program campus security numbers into your cell phone
- Always lock your vehicle and do not leave valuables in plain view
- Do not leave personal items unattended at any time
Steps to take differ greatly and each situation will dictate a different response. The particular circumstances of a given situation will suggest which of, and in which order, the following should occur.
- Move immediately away from the danger to a safe location, behind a steel locked door if possible
- Report to Campus Security by dialing 5-1111 or 9-1-1 at the safest opportunity
- Alert others (signals, codes, alarms)
- Secure surroundings, lock doors
- If appropriate, evacuate employees/leave the area
Strategies to De-escalate Threatening Behavior
The following conflict resolution strategies may be helpful to de-escalate situations where an individual is exhibiting threatening or intimidating behavior and a means of quick escape is not available:
- Get away from the situation if at all possible at any time, to a safe place, and then call 9-1-1, then Campus Security
- Do not confront or physically move against the person unless this is a last resort
- Adopt a neutral facial expression, relax shoulders, and lower hands to your sides
- Introduce yourself by first name, converse as pleasantly as possible even if it is one-sided
- Do not lean forward, appear at-ease
- Do not block perpetrator or enter a close physical proximity
- Observe emergency exits, know where you are, but focus eyes away from escape
- Try to sympathize with perpetrator
- Attempt negotiation for unimportant personal needs, toilet, sitting down, etc.
- Slow down the action by asking for time to perform tasks
- If possible, attempt to offer up alternatives, options, ideas
- Do not confront, make a quick move of any kind, or attempt to disarm or approach
- Call Campus Security at (231) 995-1111 when it is safe to do so
This information along with a comprehensive list of other topics can be found at
employees.nmc.edu/depts/emergency-mngt-plan/emergencies/