Georgia Legal Report

Georgia College warns students that a violent crime occurs every 22 seconds and a rape occurs every 6 minutes in the U.S., according to FBI, NHTSA and BBB reports. As such, Georgia College urges student-residents to practice personal safety measures to help keep the campus safe and reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Most of these safety tips apply to all college campus residents, as well as apartment tenants:

BE A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS!

• You may know your neighbors in your residence hall or apartment building are fellow students-but what else do you know about them? At best, most of the people in your building will be acquaintances. Until you know them well enough to be friends, don’t take chances.
• Don’t lend your keys, student ID, driver’s license, or other property to anyone.

KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS!

• Know the locations of Emergency Call Boxes.
• Walk confidently, directly, at a steady pace.
• Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
• Stay in well lighted areas as much as possible.
• Never work alone in an office or class-room on campus at night.  Arrange a buddy system with someone you work or study with.
• While sunbathing stay within designated areas near residence
  halls.
  
• Check your surroundings and car interior before opening your car door.
• Have your car or residence key in hand.
• Stay alert. Send the message you’re calm, confident, and know where you’re going.
• Trust your instincts – if someone makes you uncomfortable, walk to a well-populated area.
• Don’t let unauthorized people “tailgate” through card access controlled doors.
• Try to use ATMs only during daylight hours – have your card ready and don’t approach if you feel uneasy about the people nearby.
• Share your network phone numbers with class/activities schedule with parents and close friends.
• Always be alert and notify the [campus police] of any unusual and suspicious activity.
• Walk with a friend at night.
• Never prop doors open; do not allow strangers to enter the premises.
• Always lock your door, even if you intend to return shortly or are just going down the hall.

SAFETY IN YOUR CAR

• When leaving your vehicle, be certain your your doors are locked and windows are completely rolled up.
• Check the back seat before you get in.
• Have your keys in hand so you don’t have to linger before getting in, especially at night.
• Keep packages and valuables out of sight in your vehicle either under a seat, in the glove box, or in the trunk.
• Park in well lit areas near other vehicles or in high pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas.

LOCK UP!

• Lock your residence hall or apartment door, even when you’re home. Lock your car. Lock your bike. Lock your purse in a drawer in your office.
  
• Lock your door when you leave, even if you’re only leaving “just for a minute.” It only takes a thief 10 seconds to take something from your room or office.
• Lock your door when you sleep, even in a residence hall.
• Don’t hide the key to your room or apartment outside. Thieves are more experienced than you at inventing–and discovering– such hiding places.
• Lock your bike to an immovable object with a maximum-security bike lock.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY UNATTENDED

• In the library, dining hall, classroom, restroom, or any campus facility. Theft of backpacks and textbooks is common-the resale value of books makes them attractive targets for petty thieves. If you’re leaving for a minute, take your things with you.
• Don’t leave notes on your door announcing that you aren’t home.
• Don’t leave things in the laundry room.
• Never leave valuables unattended.

Read the complete list of Safety Tips here.

Know Your Rights

College students have a right to feel safe and secure while on premises. By law, colleges and universities are required to protect all students legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm.

We Fight for Victims of Security Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.