Public Safety

Safety 101: BUPD Offers Tips for How to Keep You and Your Property Safe

Be aware of your surroundings and never leave items like laptops unattended

It’s the beginning of a new school year, and for many students, their first time living in a city. You may have questions about how to best protect yourself if you’re going to be out late at night, how to avoid scams and frauds, how to keep your bikes and scooters and computers safe. To help, BU Today reached out to the Boston University Police Department, asking them to put together some recommendations on steps you can take to ensure your safety on and off campus and what you can do to protect your personal property. They also talk about resources available on campus, and apps to download. 

Take a look—and have a safe year!

Trust your instincts

Take your personal safety personally. Try to travel in a group, but if you’re walking alone at night, trust your instincts and be as aware of your surroundings as possible. And remember that being engrossed and distracted leaves you vulnerable. If you’re wearing headphones, you might not hear someone right behind you or someone calling out to you.

Avoid confrontations with anyone or any group acting out, and if you’re a bystander and see people about to get involved in a confrontation, call BUPD at 617-353-2121 or if you are off campus, call 911.

Verify your taxi or rideshare driver

If you’re out at night, at a party—or a bar, if you’re over 21—and you’ve arranged for an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare, pay attention. The Uber app has the make and model of the car and the driver’s picture. The Lyft app has an icon matching the make, model, year, and color of the driver’s vehicle (but not a photograph). Always double-check these before you get in, and don’t get in an unmarked car. Always know what you’re getting into and let your friends know when you are leaving and arriving at your destination at the end of the night.

Lock your bike—properly

Cable locks are easily defeated by a pair of bolt cutters. Using BU’s secure bike rooms and U-locks have proven to be a more effective security measure for bicycles and scooters. Improperly locked bikes and scooters are easier to steal, such as those locked to a headless parking meter or with a U-lock through a milk crate. If you lock only the front tire, with quick release the tire will stay, but the rest of the bike will be gone. If you need or would like assistance, come by BUPD headquarters on Harry Agganis Way, and an officer will gladly show you the best way to secure your bike or scooter.

Preventing theft and burglary

Make it hard on them. Thieves will look for unlocked doors and windows. By locking the door to your residence and locking any window with access to a fire escape, you dramatically reduce your chances of being victimized. Know your neighbors. When you recognize your neighbors, it’s easier to spot someone who shouldn’t be in your building. Help your neighbor. Close any common doors to the building that are left propped open and unattended. If a thief can get easy access to the building, they can look for unlocked rooms. Recognize the signs. If you see damage to your door, especially around the door handle, don’t enter the room. You don’t want to surprise a thief. Go somewhere safe and call BUPD to come check it out. Don’t confront a thief yourself. These individuals are generally in search of property, and it is not worth getting in a physical confrontation with them.

Avoid leaving property and items unattended, even if it is only for a couple of minutes. By leaving your property unattended, you significantly increase the chance of it being stolen. This also goes for package deliveries. Some steps you can take to limit the chance of your package(s) being stolen: retrieve them as soon as they are delivered and help out your neighbors by bringing inside any packages left outside the door or vestibule.

Register bikes and scooters

Having your bike or scooter preregistered might help you recover it or get some insurance reimbursement. Bike registration is available through Transportation Services. Registering your bike allows the office to put it in a national crime database, which increases the chance of recovery.

About bicycle safety…

The number of people riding bicycles and scooters on and off campus has increased dramatically in recent years. Like drivers, cyclists and scooter operators are required to follow the rules of the road, which means stopping at all traffic lights and yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Adults are not legally required to wear helmets, but not wearing one is dangerous, as it puts the bike rider at risk. Reflectors and lights are required for nighttime riding. Riding a bike or scooter on the sidewalk is not allowed in Boston. Find more information about bicycling laws and safety here. 

Don’t fall victim to fraud

This is a problem on a lot of campuses, including here at BU. It is important to know that no legitimate business, government official, or university professor will ever ask you for money in exchange for services. Also, it is important to know that no US or foreign government agency will ever pressure you into making a rushed decision, whereas scammers count on creating urgency to rush your decisions. In situations like this, it is important to pause and think, take your time, consult others, and when in doubt, report it to BUPD. This will help you protect yourself from being the victim of fraud. If you are unsure if a communication is a fraud, you may call the BUPD at 617-353-2121 for advice anytime. You can also reach BUPD by texting “BU” to 847411. We welcome your messages and inquiries at any time. For additional tips and information, refer to the fraud safety tips at bu.edu/safety/campus-resources/safety-tips-resources/. 

You may also report phishing and potentially fraudulent emails to abuse@bu.edu. Examples of phishing messages can be found at the BU Information Security’s Phish Bowl site. Note that the University will never ask you for your password or to “click a link to verify your email address or identity,” no matter how convincing the email may appear.

Sign up for free scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission to get the latest tips and advice about scams sent right to your inbox.

Be aware

If you’re in your dorm room alone, make sure your door is locked.

Students should know everybody they’re out with and be careful about how much alcohol they’re consuming. Never leave a drink unattended, where someone can slip something in it. This advice is for everyone, although women can be more vulnerable in certain situations if they’re intoxicated or if they’ve been drugged. Don’t leave any friend behind.

Pay attention to BU Alert messages and keep your information up-to-date.

If you feel threatened on campus, look for a Blue Light emergency telephone or dial 3-2121 from any on-campus telephone.

Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE)

Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) is an on-demand informational video and training to inform the BU community about the comprehensive support provided by BUPD in the event of an active threat. SAFE is a series of videos in which members of BUPD, Emergency Management, and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provide vital information and resources to utilize before, during, and after an active threat event.

SAFE has two components: the first is public-facing for prospective students, families, and the public; the second is more interactive, providing members of our community with more in-depth information.

Don’t be afraid to reach out

BUPD wants students to know that they can report any incident. Even if you are reluctant to involve the police for a number of reasons, it is important to know that BUPD is your friend and they are here to help you, keep you safe, and connect you with a number of available helpful resources. The BUPD emergency number is 617-353-2121. Call if you need assistance on or near the BU Charles River Campus, Fenway Campus, or Medical Campus. BUPD is ready to respond to your calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also text BUPD anonymously by texting “BU” to 847411.

Survivor Advocacy, Response & Prevention (SARP) is an important resource if you’ve been victimized. Crisis intervention counselors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 617-353-SARP (7277). SARP provides confidential help, offering individual and group counseling, academic and personal support, and other assistance, including services for survivors of violent crime or trauma. 

Additional resources:

On campus: Equal Opportunity Office (EOO): 617-353-9286; Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (OSCCR): 617-358-0700; and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS): 617-353-3569.

Off campus: the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC): 1-800-841-8371; SafeLink, a domestic violence hotline: 1-877-785-2020; the Victim Rights Law Center: 617-399-6720; and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call, text, or chat), 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) (deaf/hard of hearing), and 1-866-488-7386 (LGBTQIA+ youth).

Employees who need help can contact the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office at 617-353-5381.

Recommended apps

Students can download the BU Mobile apps, which offer information about BU’s shuttle bus (the BUS) schedule, maps, the BU directory, and courses. An icon allows you to call or text the BUPD, Student Health Services, or SARP.

Get help for addiction

Opioid addiction is an issue that needs to be discussed. Exposure to illicit drugs can result from young people initially using legal drugs inappropriately. An addiction develops, and they then need an alternative to the expensive prescription narcotics.

If you feel like something’s awry, it’s important to get medical attention. Don’t suffer in silence. Contact Student Health Services.

As for marijuana…

Marijuana is still prohibited on campus. If you’re over 21 and you’re off campus, possession of marijuana is not against the law, but on campus it’s a prohibited substance.

Don’t put up a fight over property

There’s no piece of property that’s worth being seriously hurt or losing your life.

Be a considerate neighbor

Report any suspicious activity. And remember, you’re coming into a neighborhood in a city. Be respectful. Be good neighbors.