Keep Yourself Safe at NOVA
NOVA campuses are very safe, but our record of safety doesn’t mean it is not important to take steps to protect yourself at all times. There is an assault in this country once every minute, and several serious crimes have occurred on on or near the Alexandria campus in the last few weeks.
The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not walk around texting or wearing ear-buds while listening to music. Predators prey on inattentive people. Further, the risk is not only from predators. There are numerous cases of people texting or wearing ear-buds and falling or stepping into traffic. (While driving, texting is illegal in many states, and wearing ear-buds while driving is illegal in Virginia.)
Here are some other tips:
- Keep your valuables, such as computers and textbooks, under your direct control at all times. Leaving them unattended invites theft.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash, and keep your cash, ID, and credit cards in your pocket.
- Avoid walking in isolated areas on campus and, when possible, walk with a group of people.
- Learn the locations of call boxes on campus and how to use them.
- If you feel uncomfortable, call the college police for an escort.
- If possible, park at night in lighted areas of parking lots.
- Walk to your vehicle with your keys in your hand.
- Check the interior of your vehicle before entering it.
- If confronted by an assailant, do not fight unless your life is in jeopardy. Remember, no property is worth your personal injury.
- Get a good description of any assailant (gender, race, height, weight, hair color, accent, odor, clothing, tattoos, etc.) and report same immediately to police.
- Program the telephone number of NOVA College Police Dispatch (703-764-5000) into your cell phone. You may reach us at this number from any campus 24/7/365.
Remember to stay alert at all times. If you have safety or security concerns, report them to your campus police or call Dispatch. Working together, we can make NOVA even safer!