Student association hosts safety forum

UA's Criminal Justice Student Association hosted a Protect Your Home While You're Gone forum Tuesday, which focused on teaching students how to protect both themselves and their homes.

Joseph Martin, a graduate student in criminal justice and president of the association said he hoped that everyone who came learned how to better keep themselves safe.

"We held this forum in response to the recent crimes both on and off campus," Martin said. "We wanted to give students the knowledge that will allow them to keep themselves safe."

Martin said this was the first time the association had hosted anything like this forum, but they would most likely make it a tradition.

"Some of the [criminal justice] professors gave their classes extra credit for attending the forum," Martin said. "That was fine with us, as long as it got people to come to the event."

The forum featured representatives from both the Northport and University of Alabama Police Departments. The officers provided their expertise on crime prevention to students and suggested ways to improve personal safety.

Andy Liles, a 20-year veteran of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, had been working at the UAPD for five years after he retired from the TPD, he said. He encouraged students to take responsibility for their own safety and to eliminate opportunities for criminals.

"Crime happens when there is opportunity and desire," Liles said. "We can't control desire, but we can remove opportunity from the criminals."

Liles said he advised students to take advantage of the University Police's program called "Operation ID," which allows students to engrave their valuables for free.

"Engraving is a great way to protect your valuables," Liles said. "So is writing down the serial numbers and storing them in a safe place."

The best way to protect your home when you aren't there, Liles said, is to leave some lights on, or set them on a timer.

"If a criminal has to guess at whether or not you are home, the chances of him robbing you go way down," Liles said. "Flood lights with motion sensors and keeping your shrubs trimmed are also great crime deterrents."

Janice Hagler, a 32-year veteran of the Northport Police Department, said she encouraged everyone to hide what they have.

"You'd be surprised at what a difference shutting the blinds can make," Hagler said. "If a burglar can't see what you have, he will be less likely to break in."

Hagler also said that students should have their mail and newspaper subscriptions held while they are out of town or arrange for someone else to pick them up.

"Leaving a pile of newspapers in front of your house lets criminals know that you aren't home," Hagler said. "Suspending the service while you're out of town could save you from being robbed."

Martin said the greatest danger was to students who live off campus.

"Students should always be aware of their surroundings," Martin said. "Calling the police when you're suspicious is better than not calling them. Besides, they'd rather that you call them and be wrong than not call them and be right."

Megan Hudson, a senior majoring in public relations, said she had never thought about writing the serial numbers of her valuables down.

"I never realized that doing something so simple could help the police return my things if they were ever stolen," Hudson said. "I'll definitely remember to lock my doors now, too."

Elizabeth Salstrand, a sophomore majoring in public relations, said she thinks more people should be aware of their own safety.

"People need to realize that they are responsible for their own safety," Salstrand said. "I know I'll never forget to lock my door at night after this."