Historically, this has been a safe haven from the busy world. SMU’s campus and isolated wooded acres, recently encroached upon by the increasingly rapid growth of the City of Lacey and surrounding Thurston County, are beginning to experience the pressure of a growing population. No community is totally risk-free I today’s sometimes violent society. SMU recognizes the potential for increased crime associated with local growth and development and its location near Interstate-5, the West’s Coast’s main north-south corridor.

Saint Martin’s University works hard to ensure the safety of its community, faculty, staff, and students; however, each must take responsibility for their own personal property and safety. Crime does not magically stop at the edge of campus; the key to preventing crime is awareness, heightened through education. Campus Security, Campus and Residence Life and other employees and students help share responsibility for safety. The majority of crime on campus can be avoided with recognition that basic precautions will prevent most victimization. Basic precautions are the most effective means of maintaining personal security. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity; an individual walking alone in a dark area is susceptible to personal crime. Property left openly on a vehicle seat begs to be stolen. Common sense and good judgment can reduce a criminal’s opportunity and help reduce crime, creating a safe and secure environment for faculty, staff, students, and the public. For example, when walking across campus, or in parking areas at night, walk in groups or in pairs; additionally, SMU Security offers an Escort Service to assist persons moving about campus after dark. Students living in SMU Residence Halls are reminded to keep their room doors locked at all times and never prop open the external doors to Residence Halls. Guests of Residence Hall students must register their vehicles with the Residence Hall Manager or Resident Advisor (RA) and display a SMU Guest Pass in the vehicle; guests should be escorted by a resident student at all times. All security concerns should be reported to the SMU Office of Campus Safety and Security immediately.

Valuable personal property should be engraved with the owner’s driver’s license number using equipment provided through SMU Security. Bicycles should be registered and secured with a good lock. Lock parked vehicles in a well-lit area with valuables removed or stored in the trunk. Notify SMU Security of any and all individuals present in a building or on campus who appears to have no legitimate business there or who arouses suspicion in any way. History and experience reveal that not all crimes/criminal activity is reported. SMU Security encourages reporting of all suspicious activity.

Crime prevention and reporting
The risk of crime is ongoing. Crime can occur anyplace and anytime. Awareness, diligence and precautions are logical and useful tools in crime prevention. Here are some examples of preventative measures:

• Keep vehicles locked.
• Never walk alone, especially at night.
• Request an escort from the Office of Campus Safety and Security.
• Don't leave valuables unattended.
• Promptly report any suspicious activity to Campus Security and / or local police.

The Office of Campus Safety and Security offers a variety of programs to help safeguard members of the campus community. These programs include:

• Escort and welfare check service.
• Photo identity of personal property.
• Serial number and property descriptions recording.
• Property engraving.
• Crime and safety aware-ness pamphlets.
• Crime and safety aware-ness sessions.

Let the Saint Martin's University Office of Campus Safety and Security help you reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Visit us in Old Main, Room 207 or call (360) 438-4555 (on-campus: ext. 4555).

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