Common Concerns

Take a moment to learn about some of the most common campus safety concerns, including: Doors and Windows, Keys, Reporting a crime or an emergency, If you witness a crime and Alarmed areas.

Doors and Windows

• One of the most persistent security problems found on campus is the propping open of doors that are intended to be closed and/or locked.
  • Whenever a door that is supposed to be secured is propped open, the safety and security of the whole building is compromised.
  • A propped open door is an open invitation to the thief.
  • In addition, propped doors also provide an easy route for the travel of smoke and fire within a building. In fact, certain doors, such as those leading into a stairwell or opening into certain corridors for example, are required by law to be closed and latched; by propping these doors, you will be violating the law in addition to jeopardizing the safety of others.
  • After entering through a locked door, be sure the door relocks behind you. If the door does not close properly, take a few moments and report the problem to Physical Plant Department. Be sure to report any malfunction locking hardware as well.
• Don't forget the windows. Once a window has been opened, the person responsible often forgets and leaves it open, thus providing another easy means to enter the building. Make sure you lock windows at the end of the day and report any problems with the window's operation or locking hardware.

Alarmed areas

• Numerous electronic intrusion detection systems have been installed in various parts of the University.
• You may come into contact with areas or rooms that have been equipped with these alarm systems. Do not enter unless you are certain the alarm system has been disarmed and remember not to assume that the alarm is off during normal business hours.
• There are a number of alarmed areas that are disarmed only on occasional basis. At all other times including normal business hours these systems are armed.
• Alarmed areas can be identified by a red and white warning sticker affixed to perimeter doors. Please remember that entry into an alarmed area can generate a nuisance alarm and can be dangerous to you and the officers responding to the alarm.

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Keys

• The 1988 Kentucky State Legislature enacted a state statute (KRS 164.337) making unauthorized duplication of university keys unlawful. If you are found duplicating university keys, you could be subject to criminal prosecution.
• Unauthorized keys can create safety concerns.
• If you need a key, submit your request through your dean or department head to the Physical Plant Department. Be sure to use the university's key request form.
• Here are some key safety tips:
  • Do not attempt to duplicate your University key,
  • Do not loan your keys or provide access by unlocking a door for an unauthorized person.
  • If you lose your key, report the loss immediately.

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Reporting a crime or emergency

• An important responsibility of a victim or witness of a crime or other emergency is timely reporting to appropriate authorities.
• You can report an incident by calling DPS at 5500 or report an emergency by calling 911 or 7777.
• When doing so, attempt to provide as much detail as possible about the situation, including at least the following:
  • Your name.
  • Your location and telephone number where you can be reached.
  • The nature of the problem you are reporting.
  • Additional information as requested by the communications operator.
• When reporting a crime by telephone, remain on the phone until the public safety operator is fully briefed with all the information necessary to dispatch the appropriate response personnel to the scene.

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If you witness a crime

• If you see or suspect a crime is being committed on campus, pay particular attention to the features of the offender(s) and any vehicles involved. Try to be prepared to provide at least the following about the offenders:
  • Age, race, height and weight.
  • Hair color and style, beard and mustache.
  • Notable characteristics (acne, scars, glasses mental state, etc.).
  • Clothing description.
  • Location where last seen.
  • Last known direction of travel.
  • Vehicle description and distinctive markings.
• Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous may do so. It is more important that a response be dispatched as quickly as possible.

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