Annapolis Office of Public Safety

Personal Safety

Student Handbook: Please see the Student Handbook for the rules of residence and an outline of the penalties for breaking them.

Personal Whistle Safety Program: St. John's College has personal safety whistles available at no charge for students. These whistles signal your need for help, frighten away someone who means you harm, or alert those nearby to call the police or a public safety officer. Our public safety officers and those police officers of the jurisdictions surrounding the campus are aware that the sound of the whistle means someone is in danger. The whistles can be obtained at the Public Safety office.

Campus Escort Service: Escorts to and from campus locations are available for students. Contact Public Safety at Ext. 2000.

Operation ID: Identification of Valuables; Operation ID is available through the Office of Public Safety. Students may use an engraver to mark and identify valuable personal articles as a precaution against theft.

Campus Lighting: Campus Lighting is another important part of the St. John's College commitment to safety and security. There are two campus lighting tours conducted each year. Lighting problems or inefficiencies are immediately reported to Buildings and Grounds for corrective action. A comprehensive survey of all exterior lighting is annually conducted by members of the Assistant Dean's Office, Business Office, Buildings and Grounds and Public Safety. Landscaping on campus is maintained by trimming shrubbery and trees to enhance safety and security. The staff of the offices of Public Safety and Buildings and Grounds inspects campus facilities regularly. Any conditions which affect the safety and security of the campus such as broken windows or locks, burned-out lights and malfunctioning fire safety equipment are reported and repaired immediately. If you notice any safety hazard, please report it to the Public Safety or Assistant Dean's Office.

Personal Safety Tips:
Simple precautions can reduce the likelihood that you will become the victim of a crime.

1.  Be alert at all times:  Your safety depends mostly upon your own attitude and actions.Use common sense and do not place yourself in a location or situation to become a victim of crime.

2.  Report criminal activities or emergency situations:  For police, fire or medical emergencies, you may contact Public Safety by calling 2000. You may also use any of the emergency phones throughout the campus. The campus community is encouraged to report all crimes and safety-related incidents to Public Safety or the Assistant Dean's Office as quickly as possible.

3.  If you become aware of a crime, observe a suspicious person or situation or are a victim yourself promptly report it to the Office of Public Safety.  Timely reports increase the likelihood that critical evidence will be obtained, stolen property will be recovered and the offender will be successfully prosecuted. This is especially important in cases involving sex offenses. The College will assist any student who wishes to report a crime to the Annapolis Police, or to contact College Counselors or area victim support services.

4.  Avoid walking alone at night.  Make arrangements to walk in groups. If you must travel alone at night, stay on well-lit paths and sidewalks. You may also call Public Safety and request an escort call ext 2000.

5.  Keep your room door locked at all times.  Locking your door with your key, wherever you reside, is an effective way to reduce theft and enhance personal safety. The vast majority of thefts occur from unlocked rooms when the occupant is gone only briefly. Do not prop open exterior doors, and close any doors you find propped open. Propped doors are a high risk and greatly increase chances that you or someone else in your dorm may be victimized. Do not open your door to someone you do not know.

6.  DO NOT lend your key or key card to anyone.  This endangers you and others in your dormitory and is cause for disciplinary action. Report a lost or stolen key to the Office of Public Safety.

7.  Report obscene, annoying or harassing phone calls or e-Mail messages immediately.  Public Safety will investigate, and as patterns develop, they will work closely with the Telephone Company to apprehend offenders. Please print out the offending e-mail(s) if possible.

8  Report all security-related maintenance problems.  Locks, doors, windows, exterior lights in need of replacement, shrubbery in need of trimming or other unsafe conditions should be reported immediately to the Building and Grounds Office. College facilities and landscaping are maintained in a manner to minimize hazardous conditions.

9.  Identify your valuables using OPERATION ID.  Engravers are available for students to use. Record their serial numbers on the provided form. Then be sure to keep your copy in a safe place.

10.  Park your car in well lit area and keep it locked.  Lock all valuables in your trunk. If you have expensive stereo equipment, etc., consider buying an alarm system.

11.  Register your bicycle with the Office of Public Safety.  They will issue a registration sticker to affix to your bicycle to deter theft and aid in recovery if it is stolen. Campus Police strongly recommends a U-style lock. A registered and properly locked bicycle is much less likely to be stolen.

12.  Be aware of campus crimes in or around St. John's College.  Additional information on campus crime is available from the Office of Public Safety. Bulletins are issued through the Assistant Dean's office when the circumstances warrant informing the community of important crime related information.

13.  Suspicious persons/activities.  Be aware of suspicious persons, questionable actions, dangerous conditions. Your observations may be valuable. Time is important. Call public safety immediately.
The following information will help:

  • The individual's height, weight, age, and complexion, dress, speech, movements, and anything unusual in appearance or actions. If there are two or more individuals involved, concentrate on one. Compare physical proportions and age with those of someone you know.
  • Distinguishing marks such as a ring or other jewelry, tattoo or scar, missing tooth or finger, bowlegs or limp, etc.
  • If a car is used, record the color, make, and license number.

Sexual Assault Prevention Tips: Victims are never to blame for assaults, but the following tips may make you less vulnerable:

1.  Know what you want sexually; set sexual limits; communicate this clearly.

2.  Trust your "gut feeling" about situations to avoid.

3.  Be clear and responsible in your communications with others.

4.  Be firm and assertive.

5.  Be aware of nonverbal clues that can alert you to a problem.

6.  In communicating your unwillingness to engage in an activity, reject the activity, not the person.

7.  Both parties should be aware that silence is not consent.

8.  Don't assume the other person knows what you do or do not want.

9.  Use the buddy system - watch out for your friends.

10.  Don't lose control - alcohol and other drugs affect your judgment.

11.  Avoid secluded places at the beginning of relationships.

12.  Do not assume that, if you are with a friend or an acquaintance, nothing bad will happen.

13.  Devise an action plan in advance for what you will do if confronted with a situation of possible sexual assault.

14.  Remove yourself from the situation at the first sign that you are feeling controlled or unsafe whether or not you know the other person.

15.  Become comfortable with the idea that you may have to be "rude," make noise, yell, etc. to remove yourself from a risky situation, even if you know the other person. Do not worry about hurting the other person's feelings.

16.  Never go to a bar, party, or social event alone.

"Date Rape" Drugs: The #1 "date rape" drug is alcohol. Use the buddy system. Try not to leave your friends. If you do leave, alert someone to the situation - preferably a Public Safety Officer, Senior Resident, or other College employee.

1.  The #1 date drug is alcohol.

2.  Use the buddy system.

3.  Do not leave your friends.

4.  Get your own drink.

5.  Watch your drink being poured and do not leave it unattended.

6.  Don't drink from a large open container, like a punch bowl.

7.  Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste, especially a salty taste.

8.  Don't share drinks.

9.  Don't leave a party with someone you just met.

10.  Warn others about high-risk situations.