Campus Safety

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mortablunt

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I've been living in a college dorm continuously for the past 2 months. As such, I have a number of conclusions about how to stay within the rules and still be a hard target.

#1: Don't leave things lying around. Everyone loves free stuff, especially nice lucrative free stuff like Mac laptops. Tape your computer and pricey things everywhere with you.
#2: Keep your dorm locked. Seriously, about 1/4 of laptops seem to get stolen from dorms while the owner is taking a shower.
#3: Have friends. Friends mean that if you get picked on, you'll have backup.
#4: Have innocuous weapons. I mean that you should have something innocuous that can be used for a weapon. Think of a long heavy flashlight, or a baseball bat with a mitt and ball.
#5: Don't associate with the drug people. Colleges have strong drub subcultures. Most of the people in them are rather stupid but harmless. However, the suppliers are definitely criminals through and through.
#6: Check your door. Make sure that you know who gets in before you open it.
#7: Hold your valuables. Your valuable property should be locked up or on your person at all times.
#8: Know how to fight. Definitely learn martial arts and practice hard and practice regularly.
#9: Hide the goods. Don't let on that you have something valuable that could easily be stolen.
#10: Don't vex others. Every now and then, you run into a vengeful piece of work who seriously would deliver disproportionate retribution if he got the opportunity. Keep people happy and no one will want to target you.
 
If you live on the ground or second floor lock your windows when your not home. Not a bad idea no matter what floor (within reason).

-Jenrick
 
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In the event of an incident, cameras are your friend. There are usually Security Cams in the halls and out the outside of building too. Check em' first thing after you call and report.
 
Get a day job and go to night school.

ETA not being a wizeguy, just what worked for me
 
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Mine isn't horrible, but thefts are common, you can't have a weapon, and substance policies are not enforced at all.
 
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Sad things have changed so much . I did all those things plus I had a Colt 357 that I kept locked up in a bolted down 50 cal ammo box. We didn't have all the electrical goodies you have today to worry about. I worked as a Cooler for the Frat's Parties so I knew everybody and I had 2 6.4 Que Dogs that always had my back. Like I said College was way more fun and safe back in the 1980's.

I would add a AA tactial flashlite or a Mini-mag a good Zebra 701 SS ink pen and a metal sharpie marker. Also carry a good wad of keys on a good metal or leather key chain. It can be used as a flail in a pinch.
 
The only time I've ever been a victim of theft was at one of the top public universities in the country. Some SOB was able to get his hands on a dorm master key and stole stuff from a lot of rooms before the locks were changed. I lost a 35mm SLR camera, a couple of nice lenses and about $100 in cash I had tucked away in a desk drawer. A couple of people saw him and gave the campus cops a description. But, AFAIK, he was never caught.
 
Thefts are common on college campuses, but there are things you can do to prevent it. You've already hit most of them, and locking up everything is a big part of it. Though if you want a real eye opener, take the next $30-40 you can find and buy a lock pick set and a deadbolt or two. It took me about half an hour to figure out how to pick lower grade locks. Most colleges/schools use Sargent locks which are a bit harder, but its nothing a few days with one can't cure.

And while it does depend on state law, sometimes you CAN legally have a gun on campus (but it'll probably still be against school rules). But most don't say anything about pocket knives. My state and school limit it at 3" or 3.5" so I carry a 3" assisted opener. Nice and discrete, legal, and probably the most useful "weapon" I'll ever carry. (Not to say a gun is useless, just that I use a knife several times a week. If I'm using my gun that much, its time to move ;) )
 
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And while it does depend on state law, sometimes you CAN legally have a gun on campus (but it'll probably still be against school rules).
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It's not illegal to have a gun on a college campus in VA. But, as you said, every state university (and I'm sure every private one as well) has a school policy prohibiting firearms on campus. It's not illegal, but you will be promptly expelled if you are caught with a gun. Or subject to termination/disciplinary action if you're faculty or staff.
 
Unfortunately, I'm situated in MD, where campus guns are illegal. I almost wish that I had picked CNU in VA and just gotten permission for a firearm. I probably would have had to wait until end of junior year for a CC permit, but oh well, it would definitely beat being absolutely unarmed.
 
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One, I agree with much of your list.
Two, all the campuses that I have been around are much the same.
Three, If you are in college, and you aren't in some sort of Martial Arts club, you're missing a great opportunity to get some training on the cheap, while you still have some flex time. Plus, it gives you an excuse to keep things like Katanas in your room.
:)
 
At VCU you could apply for written permission from the dean (or maybe the president) of the university to carry on campus. Same rules applied to both faculty and students IIRC. One of my professors carried a 1911 in her purse and a S&W 686 on her person.

Also, bans on carry are kind of unenforcable there since the points where Richmond ends and campus begins are kind of blurry.
 
It's not illegal, but you will be promptly expelled if you are caught with a gun. Or subject to termination/disciplinary action if you're faculty or staff.
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That's why you don't let them catch you with a gun while you're on campus ;)

But that rule really only gets bent when I'm going to the range and need to pick up people who are still on campus. Or at least that's my story...
 
Don't have anything there you aren't willing to loose, sorry, I know you want to be comfortable, but in dorms and similar, consider it disposable. That and buy a contractor box or the like and find a decent place you can get away with bolting it down, throw a cheap blanket or like over it and call it a table. Most likely the thief will grab the laptop sitting on top of it without ever thinking of looking underneath.
 
#8: Know how to fight. Definitely learn martial arts and practice hard and practice regularly.
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Here I'll fix it for you, "#8: Learn how to avoid fights." It's good to know how to fight but even more valuable to know how to avoid altercations in first place. Wouldn't you much rather get out of a situation before the fists start flying?
 
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