University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Safety Tips

Don’t hesitate to call Campus Police at 814-269-7005 with any safety concerns.

When walking or running:

  • Stay alert - do not talk on your cell phone or wear headphones.
  • Carry a cell phone
  • Go with someone
  • Stay away from isolated areas
  • Stay in well-lit areas
  • Hold your purse or briefcase tightly, close to your body
  • Keep your wallet in a front pocket, which is safer than a back pocket
  • Do not hesitate to contact Campus Police to request an escort to walk you to your destination. You can request a safety escort by calling 814-269-7005.

If you're being followed:

  • Cross the street or change directions
  • Keep looking back so the person knows you can’t be surprised
  • If carrying a cell phone, call 911 and get to a well-lit area
  • Enter a building, anywhere there are people
  • Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can give a good description
  • When you arrive at a safe place, call the university police and report the incident

Where you live:

  • Keep your doors locked night and day
  • Don’t let in strangers
  • Never prop doors open, especially fire doors, even for a short time

Protect your personal and University property:

  • Lock every door every time you leave
  • Engrave expensive equipment and valuables with an ID number
  • Don’t attach your Pitt ID or any other identification to your keychain
  • Don’t leave your belongings (books, gym bags, backpacks, calculators, coats, etc.) unattended in libraries, hallways, gym facilities, or classrooms
  • Don’t use an outdoor bank teller machine late at night.

Avoid working or studying alone in a building at night:

  • If you do work late, keep your office door locked
  • Lock all doors behind you when entering or exiting at night

Protect your car:

  • Always lock your car and take the keys
  • Lock valuables in the trunk
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Have your keys ready when walking to your vehicle
  • Check the back seat before getting into a car
  • Keep doors locked while driving
  • Don’t pick up hitchhikers
  • Don’t hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.

Be aware:

  • Attend safety workshops and report suspicious activity immediately
  • Get to know your neighbors
  • Share information on suspicious circumstances

Examples of suspicious behavior/circumstances include:

  • People on campus who do not appear to be conducting legitimate business
  • People monitoring areas, buildings, or entrances
  • Unauthorized people in restricted, sensitive, or private areas
  • People requesting information with no apparent need for that information
  • People wearing clothing not consistent with the weather conditions or events (bulky coat in warm weather etc.)
  • Abandoned or unusual parcels or other items, especially in high-traffic areas
  • Individuals attempting to access utility locations (water, electrical, telecommunications, or information systems)

Be alert:

Vehicles

  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Vehicles parked near buildings or public and common areas
  • Unexpected/unfamiliar delivery trucks
  • Vehicles containing unusual/suspicious parcels or material
  • Vehicles arriving and being left behind at odd hours
  • Substances leaking or spilling from vehicles

Buildings and offices

  • Entrance doors or windows in buildings or residence halls should not be propped open
  • Don't leave keys unattended or give them to unauthorized persons
  • Secure all sensitive material and information when not able to attend to it
  • Secure sensitive deliveries in a timely manner
  • Secure all areas when not attended
  • Be aware of unfamiliar persons in or visitors to your office
  • Protect access codes and combinations, and change codes regularly
  • Take time to familiarize yourself with building evacuation plans