Tips to help ensure a secure campus

Blue light emergency phones such as this one in front of Swanson Hall are available at several spots around campus. By pressing the intercom button, you will be connected to a dispatcher and a security officer will be immediately dispatched to the location.

Many of us have found ourselves in a potentially unsafe situation on campus from time to time. You may have come in early or stayed late when the parking lots are nearly empty and it is dark.

Campus security would like to educate staff on what to do when unsafe situations arise.

The midtown area has had a rash of criminal activity in the recent months. The Omaha Police Department has reported at least five purse snatchings throughout town in the last month.

“I can understand everyone’s concerns with the increase of criminal activity in the area,” says Gary Svanda, director of campus security. “But we have seen no increase in criminal activity on campus. We have a relatively safe campus.”

Safety tips The following are safety tips are provided by the Omaha Police Department. Park and walk in well-lit areas. Stay away from overgrown bushes and trees. Pay attention to your surroundings, people and vehicles in the area. Carry your purse close to your body and your wallet in your front pocket. Do not be distracted by talking on the phone or wearing headphones. Have your keys in your hand and alarm panic button ready to activate. Look into the vehicle and check for intruders before entering. Once you get into your vehicle lock your doors immediately. Make it a habit to start your vehicle and drive away immediately. If you suspect you are being followed, switch directions and go to a well-lit and crowded area.

Svanda encourages everyone to visit the campus security site on the intranet at info.unmc.edu/security. The site has a variety of information and short videos on how to stay safe in the work site.

There are videos on what to do if shots are fired in the workplace and recognizing and preventing violence in the workplace. The Daily Activity Summary Report calls out the daily activity that security officers respond to on campus. There also are a variety of campus safety tips.

Campus security officers are available to offer security escorts to employees’ vehicles. Staff can request an escort by calling 559-5111. Security officers are routinely stationed in Lot 2 (University Tower patient/visitor lot) from 4 p.m. to midnight. Officers also patrol Lot 5 (parking structure at 42nd and Dewey) during shift changes and three security vans patrol the campus at all times.

Blue light emergency phones are stationed throughout campus. Emergency phones are always lit by a blue light. By pressing the intercom button, you will be connected to a dispatcher and a security officer will be immediately dispatched to the location.

Security issues don’t only occur in parking lots. Svanda encouraged anyone who sees someone acting strangely or looks like they don’t belong to call campus security immediately at 559-5111. An officer will be dispatched to the area to look things over. Svanda said larceny reports increase between Thanksgiving and Christmas and he advised employees to lock personal belongings in a desk drawer or file cabinet, even when they are not planning on leaving the office or work area unattended.