General Crime Prevention Tips

Crime does not simply happen. Like a triangle, crime must have three sides or elements present to be complete. Those three elements are; ABILITY, DESIRE and OPPORTUNITY. Remove any one of these elements and the triangle can't be formed and the crime will not occur.

You can help the University Police reduce crime on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus by reducing the "opportunity" for crime. By limiting the opportunity for crime, you remove one side of the crime triangle and limit the ability for the criminal to commit the crime.

Keep these crime prevention tips in mind and you will greatly reduce criminal incidents at home and here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison:

  • Call the police immediately if you see or hear something suspicious. Report any crime or suspicion of a crime at once. Dial 911 in an emergency or when a crime is in progress.
  • Be wary of people that don't appear to belong in the area. If you doubt that they belong in the area, ask them questions. If their answers are vague or suspicious, call the police.
  • Keep your possessions in sight at all times. Don't leave books or backpacks unattended anywhere, it only takes a matter of seconds for things to disappear.
  • If you leave your office or room, even for a few minutes, LOCK THE DOOR! It's much easier to invest the few seconds it takes than to spend the time later filing a police report and replacing the property.
  • Never leave a wallet or purse on top of your desk; take it with you or lock it in a drawer
  • Avoid taking wallets, money and jewelry into athletic facilities and storing them in lockers, which are targets of thieves.
  • Mark your property; place marks inside your books. Use Operation ID to mark all valuable items.
  • Use your drivers license number and the two letter abbreviation for the state. Engraving tools are available from the University Police 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, other people around you and places where someone could be hiding.
  • Be alert to potential danger. If it doesn't look or feel right, trust your instinct and leave.
  • Walk with friends whenever possible. Use Safewalk, SafeRide or the SafeBus when you can't find someone to go with you.
  • Avoid jogging or bicycling alone. If you must go alone, stay in well-lit and well-traveled areas.
  • Don't leave objects plainly visible in your car; secure them in the trunk whenever possible.