Safety Tips & Services

The services of the Quinsigamond Community College Public Safety Department were augmented in October of 1996 with the implementation of the QCC Police Bicycle Patrol Unit.

The objective of the bicycle unit was started as another facet of the departments proactive approach to law enforcement and service to the college community. The Bike unit is viewed as both an aid to furthering positive community relations and as a sensible approach to patrolling the unique terrain of the Quinsigamond Campus. The utilization of the police Mountain Bike offers the Campus Police Officer another way to quickly and efficiently patrol the inner recesses of the largely pedestrian campus, and in the process increase the visibility and approachability of the officers to the community they serve.

Required Officer Training

All officers of the Bike Patrol Unit must attend and successfully complete a Mountain Bike Patrol School certified by the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council known as COBWEB (Cops On Bikes With Education for Bicyclists). COBWEB is the original Massachusetts Police Mountain Bike Patrol Course designed to train the officer/s for his/her duties while on a Bike Patrol Unit. The COBWEB course is a 24 hour three day program with both classroom and field instruction. The officer Upon Completion of the course will have developed a heightened awareness of the importance of fitness, nutrition, injury prevention and physical well-being. The officer will also have a comprehensive understanding of standard operating procedures, crime prevention techniques, tactical maneuvers and communication.

Bicycle Safety Tips

1. Protect Your Head

Wear a helmet. Studies have shown that using a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 85%. Select a helmet that has a snug but comfortable fit. Look for helmet labels that show they are recommended by either the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

2. See And Be Seen

Wear proper clothing. Wear Clothes that make you more visible. Clothing should be light in color and close fitting to avoid being caught in the bicycle's moving parts. Also, be sure that books and other loose items are secured to the bike or are carried in a back pack.

3. Go With The Flow Of Traffic

The safe way is the right way. You must obey the rules of the road. These include all traffic signs, signals, and road markings. Ride on the right side of the street in single file. Use Proper Hand Signals. Never weave from lane to lane or tailgate to hitch rides on moving cars or trucks.

4. Look Both Ways

Be aware of traffic around you. Seven out of Ten car-bicycle crashes occur at driveways or other intersections. Before you enter a street or intersection, check for traffic and always look left-right-left. Walk your bicycle across busy streets at corners or crosswalks.

5. Stay Alert

Keep a look-out for obstacles in your path. Watch out for potholes, sewer gratings, cracks, railroad tracks, loose gravel, and broken glass. Before going around any object, look ahead and behind you for a free gap in traffic. Plan your move, and then signal your intentions. Be especially careful in wet weather, as water can make you slip and make your brakes work improperly.

6. Beware The Dark Side

Be cautious when biking at night. If you have to ride at night, display front and rear reflectors on your bicycle. Wear reflective clothing or materials, especially on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet. Ride in areas that are familiar and on streets that are brightly lighted.

7. Go Off Road

Follow designated bike routes if available. Bicycle routes are marked by special signs or lines. Bike paths are special areas reserved for bikes. Become familiar with such accommodations for cyclists in your area.

8. Fix It Up

Make sure your bicycle is adjusted properly. Your bicycle should be correctly adjusted to fit you; your feet should rest on the ground while sitting in the seat. Before using your bike, check to make sure that all parts are secure and working. The handlebars should be firmly in place and turn easily; the wheels should be straight and secure.

9. Stop It

Check brakes before riding. Control your speed by using your brakes. If your bicycle has hand brakes, apply the rear brakes slightly before the front brake. Remember to ride slowly in wet, slippery weather and to apply brakes earlier since it takes more distance to stop.

10. Don't Flip Your Bike

Wheels should be securely fastened. Check wheels before every ride, after every fall, or after transporting your bike to be sure that they are fastened and secure. Make sure that tires are properly inflated.

Fire Safety is a team effort. The Quinsigamond Campus Police Department’s Fire Safety Unit works hand in hand with Worcester Fire and our own Facilities Department to ensure proper safety while on campus. Fire safety begins with preparedness and simple precautions, which can prevent or manage the hazards of most fires. Please review these fire safety measures to reduce the chance of a fire and to protect your home and family.

In the event that you notice a potential fire hazard or safety risk, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail sdigiovanni@qcc.mass.edu or 508.854.4221. As always, in case of emergency, please call 508.854.4444 or ext. 4444 from a campus phone.

REMEMBER WHEN A FIRE ALARM SOUNDS GET OUT! YOU WILL ONLY KNOW IF IT’S FALSE IF YOU GET OUT! PLEASE EXIT AND GO 500 FEET FROM THE BUILDING FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO BE ABLE TO ACESS THE AREA!

Please enjoy your holidays but remember safety first!

• NO live Christmas trees or wreaths are allowed in any of the academic buildings. 
• No artificial trees are allowed to obstruct corridors, exit ways or other means of egress.
• If artificial trees are used they must be at least 15-20 feet away from any entrance/exit, an extinguisher in close proximity, and if building has fire suppression preferable under a sprinkler head. All decoration must be flame retardant.
• Small table top trees are allowed as long as they are under 3 feet and have flame retardant ornaments. 
• Live wreathes may be hung on the outside of exterior doors.
• The only decorative (mini lights) lights allowed are the low voltage decorative lights that are UL rated for inside use only and a maximum of 3 strings of lights. Lights must be plugged into a surge protector to prevent a trip breaker or shortage in wall. If not UL tested a fine of $100.00 is possible.
• No lights can be installed on the all-metal artificial trees.
• When installing the decorative lights, use caution not to tack or staple through the wire or run wires under rugs or through door jambs. Check light cords for cracked sockets or frayed wires prior to putting them up.
• No decorative lighting will be hung from the ceiling or in any of the hallways. Excessive decorations on interior doors/offices are prohibited.
• Candles are not permitted in any building.- $1000 and up fine. 
• Turn off all decorative lights when you leave the office.
• Do NOT leave lights on over night. - State fine of $500.00 to the individual person not the college. Individual responsibility.

The above rules and regulations come from 527 CMR 21.00 or 527 CMR 12.00 and the States Fire Marshals Office.

The QCC Police Honor Guard was established in 2011 to represent the department at police funerals, parades, and other ceremonial occasions. The Honor Guard has been a corner stone of many events on the QCC campus to include Commencement, Veteran Affairs programs, dedications, memorials, and numerous city events. On 4-19-16 the Honor Guard presented the Colors at Fenway Park.

The honor guard is overseen by Chief Stephen DiGiovanni and if you would like the honor guard to be at a campus event please contact him at sdigioavnni@qcc.mass.edu

Current members of QCC Honor Guard:

• Chief Stephen DiGiovanni
• Deputy Chief Reynaldo Rodriguez
• Sergeant Daniel Litchfield
• Officer Todd LaBranche 

QCC Police serves as the central collection point for lost and found items, such as jewelry, cellphones, electronics, wallets, eyeglasses, clothing, bikes, and any item of value. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to contact the department and inquire on any lost item(s).

To report a lost item or inquire if your items were turned in, contact the department directly at 508.854.4221 or complete the form below. Any items found should be delivered or reported to the QCC Police Department; if you are not able to deliver such item(s), a QCC Police Officer will pick them up.

Any item(s) found with identification inside will be contacted and informed of property found. Found item(s) are only held for a certain time at which time they are disposed of by donating to a charitable organization. Anyone claiming lost and found property at the QCC Police Department must show a positive identification such as the QCC ID or a driver's license...

Please provide all items lost with the most descriptive information. This will assist in identifying your items if found back to you.

Complete the Lost & Found Form and submit to campus police.

Active Threat Program- An “active threat” is defined as any incident which creates an immediate threat or presents a danger to the community. This training will teach you what to do in an event and the Run, Hide, Fight Program from Homeland Security and FBI.

Alcohol Abuse Prevention- We use Fatal vision goggles to demonstrate through multiple activities and Field Sobriety Testing the simulated effect of alcohol impairment including: impaired targeting skills, slower judgement, diminished focus, delayed reactions, reduced peripheral vision and a loss of balance and equilibrium.

Bicycle Safety- This program is designed to educate about bike safety, equipment and the Massachusetts General Laws on Bicycle use and riding. This program can be tailored to specific age groups.

Crime Reporting- See Something, Say something Program, Text a tip, Emergency call boxes, QCC Text alert and QCC mobile.

Fire Prevention/Safety- learn what to do if a fire occurs, learn about Fire extinguishers, survival and how to plan and know your escape routes.

Harassing Phone Calls- Learn what to do if you are getting Harassing Phone Calls and when you can report this as a crime.

Identity Theft- This program we will teach you what you should do to avoid becoming a Victim of Identity Theft and the resources needed to stop it.

R.A.D. Systems of Self-Defense-The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) System is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk education and avoidance, while progressing on to basics of hands-on defense training. Courses are taught by certified R.A.D. instructors and is currently taught at over a thousand colleges and universities nationwide. The growing, widespread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease, simplicity and effectiveness of the tactics, solid research, legal defensibility and teaching methodology. http://rad-systems.com/index.html

Safety Presentation (Risk Reduction Strategies)- These presentations are designed to give students /Faculty/Staff an overview of the types of crime that can exist on and off campus, with tips and strategies to avoid becoming a victim.

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Presentation- This Presentation will describe what to do if you or someone you know has been being Sexual Assaulted or is in a Domestic Violence situation and how to get help. Safety plans are explained and resources are given.

CPR/FIRST AID- We offer American Heart Association CPR, AED and First AID certifications or Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI) CPR/FIRST AID/AED.

Other- QCC police can format a presentation to address the specific issues that a group desires.

To Request a class please go to Campus Safety Training Request under the Frequently Used Forms.

When an active shooter is in your vicinity:

1. Run

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible

2. Hide

• Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
• Silence your cell phone and /or pager

3. Fight

As a last resort and only when your life is
in imminent danger :

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter

When law enforcement arrives:

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets, etc.)
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating

Call 911 or Campus Police when safe to do so

Information you should provide to law enforcement or 911 operators:

• Location of the shooter
• Number of shooters
• Physical description of shooters
• Number and type of weapons held by shooters
• Number of potential victims at the location

Coping with an active shooter situation…

• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit
• If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door
• Attempt to take the shooter down as a LAST RESORT

Profile of an active shooter:

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.

Characteristics of an active shooter situation:

• Victims are selected at random
• The event is unpredictable and evolves quickly
• Law enforcement is usually required to end an active shooter

• Place the computer in a common area of the residence rather than a bedroom. This will encourage online time to be a family oriented activity.
• Become familiar with the people and web sites your children are interacting with on the internet, just as you would get to know all of their other friends.
• Choose a family oriented Internet Service Provider or Online Service and use Parental Controls or software to regulate the type of information and material your children can access on the Internet. Most of the Parental Controls and software allow adults to restrict access to age appropriate levels. In the event the children do receive objectionable material, teach them to avoid responding to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening or makes them feel uncomfortable. Make sure they are comfortable in making you aware of these types of messages. Immediately notify your Internet Service Provider of the receipt of such material.
• Try to select non-descriptive Account Names and Screen Names for your children. Their online names should not be too specific or identify or describe them in detail.
• Remind your children not to provide their real name, phone number, address, or other personal information to anyone to whom they meet online, and never to meet face to face with anyone they have met through the internet without your permission. If you do permit such a meeting, it should be in a public place and that you or another responsible adult should accompany your child.
• Set reasonable guidelines for your children's time online and remember that the computer should not be thought of as a "babysitter". The guidelines should be age appropriate. Remember, what is acceptable for a teenager may not be acceptable for a younger child.
• Remind your children that the rules are the same for any computer they use, whether at home, a friend's house, school, or the public library.
• Assure your children that they can talk with you about things that happen on the internet. If they fear that they will lose their internet access, they may be reluctant to talk about anything bad that happened on the internet.

Internet Guidelines for Teenagers

• Never give out your personal information, your real name, address, or phone number, or any personal information about your family or friends without their permission.
• Be careful in chat rooms. Don't get involved in fights or use obscene language. You could be reported and have your internet service suspended or cancelled.
• If you are in a chat room and someone makes you feel uncomfortable, attempts to start a fight with you, or uses offensive language, leave the room.
• Ignore obscene or offensive messages. Replying may cause the sender to continue to send such messages.
• Be careful in joining mailing lists, some may make your personal information public. Don't provide an address or phone number. The information for which you are signing up is sent to the e-mail address you provide, so they don't need your address or phone number.
• Beware of offers for free items, get rich quick, or weight loss offers. They may be a scam.
• Beware of e-mail from people you don't know or e-mail you weren't expecting. It may contain a virus designed to damage your computer or send your account name and password back to the sender.
• Never send your picture to someone you don't know or trust. Remember, the internet allows people to become anyone they want to be, and they may be someone you don't really want to know.

Internet Guidelines for Children (10 years old and younger)

• Never give your name, address or phone number to anyone on the internet.
• Do not go into chat rooms without your parent's help.
• If you get a message that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't respond to it, and be sure to tell your parents.
• Don't join a mailing list without your parent's permission.
• Don't open e-mail from anyone you don't know. It might be a virus which could damage your computer.
• Don't believe everything people on the internet tell you. Since you can't see the other person, you don't know who they really are.
• Never agree to buy or trade anything on the internet without your parent's permission.
• Never agree to meet anyone you met on the internet, and never send pictures of yourself over the internet.

What Should I Do To Avoid Becoming A Victim Of Identity Theft?

The answer to this comes directly from the United States Department of Justice.

To reduce or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud, there are some basic steps you can take.

Be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them, regardless of where you are:

At Home

1. Start by adopting a "need to know" approach to your personal data. Your credit card company may need to know your mother's maiden name, so that it can verify your identity when you call to inquire about your account. A person who calls you and says he's from your bank, however, doesn't need to know that information if it's already on file with your bank; the only purpose of such a call is to acquire that information for that person's personal benefit. Also, the more information that you have printed on your personal bank checks -- such as your Social Security number or home telephone number -- the more personal data you are routinely handing out to people who may not need that information.
2. If someone you don't know calls you on the telephone and offers you the chance to receive a "major" credit card, a prize, or other valuable item, but asks you for personal data -- such as your Social Security number, credit card number or expiration date, or mother's maiden name -- ask them to send you a written application form.
3. If they won't do it, tell them you're not interested and hang up.
4. If they will, review the application carefully when you receive it and make sure it's going to a company or financial institution that's well-known and reputable. The Better Business Bureau can give you information about businesses that have been the subject of complaints.

On Travel

1. If you're traveling, have your mail held at your local post office, or ask someone you know well and trust ­ another family member, a friend, or a neighbor ­ to collect and hold your mail while you're away.
2. If you have to telephone someone while you're traveling, and need to pass on personal financial information to the person you're calling, don't do it at an open telephone booth where passersby can listen in on what you're saying; use a telephone booth where you can close the door, or wait until you're at a less public location to call.

Check your financial information regularly, and look for what should be there and what shouldn't:

What Should Be There

1. If you have bank or credit card accounts, you should be receiving monthly statements that list transactions for the most recent month or reporting period.
2. If you're not receiving monthly statements for the accounts you know you have, call the financial institution or credit card company immediately and ask about it.
3. If you're told that your statements are being mailed to another address that you haven't authorized, tell the financial institution or credit card representative immediately that you did not authorize the change of address and that someone may be improperly using your accounts. In that situation, you should also ask for copies of all statements and debit or charge transactions that have occurred since the last statement you received. Obtaining those copies will help you to work with the financial institution or credit card company in determining whether some or all of those debit or charge transactions were fraudulent.

What Shouldn't Be There

1. If someone has gotten your financial data and made unauthorized debits or charges against your financial accounts, checking your monthly statements carefully may be the quickest way for you to find out. Too many of us give those statements, or the enclosed checks or credit transactions, only a quick glance, and don't review them closely to make sure there are no unauthorized withdrawals or charges.
2. If someone has managed to get access to your mail or other personal data, and opened any credit cards in your name or taken any funds from your bank account, contact your financial institution or credit card company immediately to report those transactions and to request further action.

Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report.

Your credit report should list all bank and financial accounts under your name, and will provide other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any accounts in your name.

Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts.

Even though financial institutions are required to maintain copies of your checks, debit transactions, and similar transactions for five years, you should retain your monthly statements and checks for at least one year, if not more. If you need to dispute a particular check or transaction ­ especially if they purport to bear your signatures ­ your original records will be more immediately accessible and useful to the institutions that you have contacted.

Even if you take all of these steps, however, it's still possible that you can become a victim of identity theft. Records containing your personal data -- credit-card receipts or car-rental agreements, for example -- may be found by or shared with someone who decides to use your data for fraudulent purposes.

Get the Keys: How You can Intervene

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The Advertising Council's Innocent Victims public service campaign emphasizes the need to intervene and get the keys away from someone about to drive drunk. Here are some helpful tips and advice from focus group research on how people can get the keys away from a drunk driver:

1. If it is a close friend, try and use a soft, calm approach at first. Suggest to them that they’ve had too much to drink and it would be better if someone else drove or if they took a cab.
2. Be calm. Joke about it. Make light of it.
3. Try to make it sound like you are doing them a favor.
4. If it is somebody you don’t know well, speak to their friends and have them make an attempt to persuade them to hand over the keys. Usually they will listen.
5. If it’s a good friend, spouse, or significant other, tell them that if they insist on driving, you are not going with them. Suggest that you will call someone else for a ride, take a cab, or walk.
6. Locate their keys while they are preoccupied and take them away. Most likely, they will think they’ve lost them and will be forced to find another mode of transportation.
7. If possible, avoid embarrassing the person or being confrontational, particularly when dealing with men. This makes them appear vulnerable to alcohol and its effects.

If You Are Stopped by the Police While In Your Car

1.) As soon as you notice the police emergency lights pull your vehicle over to the right and stop immediately.

• Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away.
• You may have committed some minor traffic violation without realizing it.
• There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware.

2.) Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches.

• Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer.
• Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat.
• For the officer's safety and yours, remain in your vehicle.

3.) Turn on your interior light if stopped at night.

• A lit vehicle cabin will reduce the officer's concern regarding weapons or other possible threats within your reach.

4.) Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer.

• Reaching under your seat or into your glove box are actions that will cause the officer concern that you may be reaching for a weapon.

5.) Give your license and vehicle registration to the officer if asked to do so.

• Most officers will not provide a specific reason for the stop until they have received your license and vehicle registration. This is to avoid debating the reason for the stop prior to acquiring this necessary information.

6.) If you wish to inquire as to why you were stopped or offer an explanation, do so before the officer returns to his or her vehicle.

• Answer all questions honestly. Information pertaining to prior arrests or traffic violations is easily verified via the police dispatcher.
• Touching or threatening a police officer or acting in a disorderly manner could result in the filing of additional charges against you and you will be arrested.
• If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, do so without any sudden or threatening movements.
• Give the officer approximately 3 - 5 feet of "personal" space as a safety zone to do his or her job.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise.
• Do not become argumentative, disorderly, or abusive. If an officer has already written a ticket, it cannot be voided at that time. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to Traffic Court.

Whether an officer issues you a ticket or gives you a warning is entirely up to their individual discretion. Your conduct during the stop may influence the officer's decision.

Don't Be Offended

Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Scores of police officers are killed each year, and hundreds more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite, or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with "them." Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a "routine" traffic stop. Every stop has the potential for danger.

If the Police Approach You On the Street

Innocent individuals are often offended or angered, or both, because an officer has detained them for questioning. Although the delay might be inconvenient for you, the officer believes there is a reason (reasonable suspicion) to stop you and ask questions. Most of these stops are not officer-initiated. The most common reasons that cause an officer to stop someone are as follows:

1. You might be one of only a few people walking around in the vicinity of a crime that has recently occurred.
2. Your clothing might be similar or identical to that worn by the perpetrator of a crime.
3. Someone may have called the police complaining about your presence or that you looked "suspicious."
4. Someone may have pointed you out to the officer.
5. You might be acting in a manner that the officer considers "suspicious" and you may act even more "suspicious" after realizing that the officer is observing you.

The police officer does not wish to detain you any longer than necessary. Once the officer is able to determine that you are not the individual that he or she is looking for, the officer will often apologize for the inconvenience and then quickly leave to resume the search.

In All Police Encounters

1. Avoid making sudden movements (for your wallet, into your coat, toward your waistband, etc.) until you have informed the officer of your intention to do so and the officer has said it's okay.
2. Do not carry weapons (real or otherwise) or even joke about having a weapon on your person.
3. Do not touch the police officer or violate his or her "personal" safety zone (3 - 5 feet).
4. Remain calm and avoid being argumentative. (If you are uncooperative and refuse to answer reasonable questions, the officer is likely to become more suspicious and the encounter will probably last much longer than necessary.)
5. Comply first, then you may seek an explanation from the officer or the officer's supervisor later.

Summary

There are times when citizens who have contact with the police come away with feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction. The Quinsigamond Community College Police Department does not condone police misconduct of any type. In our experience, we have learned that those negative feelings are often a result of not knowing the reason(s) an officer has made certain requests or acted in a certain manner. Unfortunately, demands on a patrol officer do not always permit time for explanations at the time you are stopped. Hopefully, the information presented here will give you an understanding of police procedures and let you know what to expect from a police officer if you are stopped.

• Pack a winter survival kit. The items that you need are most likely already around your house or dorm room. Pack a blanket, warm clothes such as sweats or long johns, gloves, boots and an emergency flashlight. Some people keep a flashlight in their car at all times.
• Always try to keep at least a half tank of fuel in your car. Although this is a great tip no matter the time of the year, it is critical in the winter. This will minimize your chance of running out of fuel. Also in the winter, any water in your fuel and fuel line has the potential to freeze. With less fuel and more water, the chance of this occurring is greater. Also, as everyone knows, oil and water don't mix. The water could be separated from the fuel, and the chance of fuel line freeze-ups even greater.

• Keep another driving kit in the trunk. In this kit, you should have an emergency snow shovel, an extra pair of gloves, a snow brush/ice scraper, a spare set of windshield wiper blades, and safety flares or reflective triangles. Flares are easier to see in all conditions, especially in snowy or foggy conditions. However, there is some danger with flares. Check the flares at least once a month to be sure that there is no leakage from them. In addition, the flares are hot enough to burn metal and you could be severely burnt by the flares. Heed all safety warnings provided with the flares.

• Before leaving to go anywhere, clear all ice and snow off of all glass, front, back and sides, off of the mirrors, the headlights and taillights and off of your license plates. Check your windshield wipers to see if they move freely and make full contact with the windshield.

• Remember all the things that your learned in driver's ed? Drive in someone else's tire tracks for better traction, but if you see ice, move out of those tracks. If you start to skid, remember, get your foot off of the gas and don't use the brake. Don't make any sudden moves.

• Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Intersections of roads are a common problem because all of the traffic in that area will pack down the snow and turn it to ice.

• If you have anti-lock brakes, don't pump the brakes. That'll make your situation worse because you don't have your foot on the brake all of the time.

• Stay slow. If you go fast, you're only going to hurt yourself and others. Drive safely.

How you can help make your campus safer:

• Timely notifications of criminal acts
• CPR/First aid training
• Dissemination of crime prevention

Lock Your Door! Keep Your Keys!

LOCK YOUR DOOR - This is the single best deterrent.

LOCK YOUR DOOR - Even if you are only going to the bathroom or into the room next door.

LOCK YOUR DOOR - Even if it is left open for just ONE minute, the risk is always great. It takes approximately only eight seconds for someone to walk into an open room and remove something such as a wallet or purse.

KEEP YOUR KEYS - DO NOT loan your keys to anyone - - even a friend. They may not be as careful with them as you are and may lose or misplace them must long enough for the wrong person to gain possession of them.

KEEP YOUR KEYS - DO NOT leave them lying around in public places or in your coat or jacket pocket when you are not wearing it. Someone may take the keys, have an impression and duplicate made, and even return them afterwards so that you will not be suspicious and you will not change your locks.

KEEP YOUR KEYS - NEVER let someone else use your key unless you are there. They may not lock the room upon leaving.

KEEP YOUR KEYS - If you are entrusted with a key to a room or area, then it is incumbent upon you to be most careful of these keys and that property. Never let anyone else use the keys. Always be sure the area is locked upon leaving. It is your responsibility to keep that area and property secure.

KEEP YOUR KEYS - If you lose them or they are stolen and may be identified as yours, notify the Campus Police 4221.

Basic Safety Protocol for parking areas

What can you do?

Report all suspicious activity!

1. Do not hesitate to call 911 or Campus Police 508.854.4444 to report ANY suspicious activi­ties, persons or vehicles. “Suspicious Activity” would include:

• Persons walking up and down aisles of parking lots looking into cars or trying door handles
• Vehicles cruising parking lots at very slow speeds for extended periods while observing parked cars
• Persons making any kind of mark or placing anything ON parked vehicles
• Persons sitting in running parked cars for extended periods
• Vehicles dropping one person off while continuing to cruise the same area.
• Vehicle doors and trunks open or slightly ajar-
• Dome lights left on in vehicles
• Broken glass or evidence of a break-in

Additionally:

• Carry and pre-program your cell phone with the emergency number 508.854.4444. Carry it in your hand but always walk with a “purpose’ head up making eye contact with others.
• Carry a noise-making device (Whistle) with you at all times, and use it if you suspect you are in danger. Move to a lit area or building and raise a commotion. Call 911 or 508.854.4444 Campus Police
• Walk in groups to and from parking areas when possible as there is safety in numbers.
• Do not leave valuables in your car – this is what the criminal is looking for! If you leave valuable items visible in your car, your car is automatically a target. Thieves are targeting purses, laptops, GPS units and MP3 players, which are easily sold. Additionally, computers, purses and wallets are highly desired targets that are stolen to commit identity theft.
• If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them inconspicuously. Someone may be watching when you put items under a seat or throw something over them. An opportunistic thief is on the lookout for trunk-packing, and can break into your car the minute you’re out of sight. One reason SUVs and pickups are common auto-burglary targets is because they don’t have a “trunk” to hold valuables — the driver/passenger generally just “hides” their valuables “out of sight”. The thieves know this, and do check glove compartments, behind seats, and under seats. It only takes a few seconds to check all the “usual” hiding places.
• Never open a trunk, fill it full of valuables, close it, and then just walk away. If your trunk can be opened from inside your car without a key, lock this feature when you are not in your car or have it disabled.
• If possible. Leave no trace. Do not leave any “sign” that there might be valuables “out of sight” in your vehicle, such as docking stations or connector cables. Just leaving an empty docking station in plain sight, even if you’ve taken the high dollar component with you, may end up costing you hundreds of dollars to re-place a broken window because the thief wanted to check your car for “hidden” valuables.
• Very few auto break-ins are “random” — the thieves see “something” in plain sight that’s valuable, or hints of possible hidden valuables. Leave nothing in “plain sight” that might make your vehicle worth “investigating” by a thief; not even loose coins or a CD.
• Lock ALL your vehicle’s doors even if you plan to be gone for only a brief time. Many valuable items are stolen from un- locked vehicles where the owner was only going to be gone “just for a second”. It only takes seconds to steal your stuff! It’s not at all uncommon for thieves to walk down a row of parked vehicles and check vehicle doors to see if they are unlocked – believe it or not at least 30% of all vehicles parked in a garage or parking lot are unlocked! Do not leave any window open or even cracked open, including vent/wing windows and sun roofs.
• Keep the inside of your vehicle clean; even if you just keep a lot of “junk” and non-valuable materials in the vehicle – the criminal doesn’t know that and may try to break in to sift through your vehicle’s contents
• Set any alarm or anti-theft device. If you have one, use it! Many people believe that car- alarms no longer make a difference, but they can be an effective deterrent to an auto-burglar, who most often chooses the easiest target. If they have two cars to choose from, one with a visible indicator of an alarm system and one without, they will likely burglarize the one without (unless you’ve left out valuables just too good to ignore!). Locking your car and setting your alarm is just part of the solution.
• Don’t think your dark tinted windows will hide your valuables. Thieves often use flash lights to see through tint, and after-market tint is handy to keep all the broken glass in one “sheet” when they break out your window (and toss the broken window into your back seat or passenger seat to hide the evidence of the break-in from passersby).
• Do not use “hide-a-keys”. Thieves know the best places to hide those.

Watch your e-mail and bulletin Boards for safety classes offered by the Campus Police Department. Sign up for Emergency “QCC Text Alert” system through The Q.