Safety Tips

Personal Safety Tips

Living in a city can offer residents tremendous opportunities and resources, but also provide some challenges regarding personal safety. Just as in any city, residents of the District of Columbia should take precautions to ensure their safety in the District.

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, take appropriate safety precautions. Avoid the person, leave the situation, or draw attention to what is going on.
• Program the number of an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact into your cell phone. First responders will look for this number if you are unresponsive.
• Memorize the numbers for two emergency contacts - if you are without your cell phone, you have a number you could call for assistance.
• Program the number for GWPD into your cell phone. Program the letter “A” before the name so that it comes up first in your contact list.

          GWPD Foggy Bottom Campus (202) 994-6111

          GWPD Mount Vernon Campus (202) 242-6111

• Always carry a form of personal identification. Do not carry your social security card.
• Sign up for Alert DC and GW Alert; go to www.campusadvisories.gwu.edu

On Campus and In D.C.

• Never leave your belongings unattended. It can only take a moment for someone to walk away with your stuff!
• Keep valuables out of sight; including purses and wallets, cell phones, electronics and jewelry.
• Do not carry more than you need. Leave unnecessary valuable items (like electronics) securely in your residence. Carry only the minimum amount of money or credit cards you will need for the day.
• If you must talk on your cell phone while traveling, use a hands free device so that you can keep your phone secure and out of sight.
• If you must listen to music while traveling, keep the volume low enough to hear what is going on around you and leave one headphone out of your ear. Keep valuable electronics out of sight.
• Be wary of isolated spots—underground garages, alleys, parking lots, and offices after business hours.
• Walk with a group, particularly at night. Use the Colonial Express Shuttle Service or 4-RIDE Escort Service.
• Be familiar with locations of the Blue Light Emergency Phones on campus. 
• If you feel like you are being followed, head towards the nearest lighted and populated building. You can also cross the street in the middle of the road or flag down a passing car for assistance. If on-campus, activate a Blue Light Emergency Phone.
• Keep a firm grip on your purse or backpack. Keep the bag zipped closed, and carry it under your arm and near the front of your body.
• Carry your wallet inside your coat or in your front pants pocket.
• Maintain a safe distance from strangers, even if they just ask for directions.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using ATM’s. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction. If you must use an ATM after hours, make sure it is well lighted.
• Wait for public transit in a well-lighted and populated area.
• Avoid standing or sitting near the bus or metro train doors when using electronic devices.
• Do not sleep on the bus or Metro. When riding the Metro, sit in a car with other people or in the first car near the conductor.
• Always lock your bike. Know the proper way to secure your bike.
• Have a plan when you go out. Decide before you leave out how you will get home. Let someone know where you are going, with whom, and what time you plan to return.
• Learn about the neighborhoods where you live, work, volunteer, and play. Know the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and shops that are open late.

In Your Residence

• Always lock your door. At a minimum, lock your door when you leave the room and when you sleep.
• Keep valuable items secure in your residence. Lock items in a safe or other protected location. At a minimum, keep valuable items out of sight.
• Do not allow strangers to piggyback, or follow you, into your residence hall or building if you need a key or access card to enter.
• Get to know your neighbors and other residents. Report suspicious persons to GWPD immediately.
• Remember that GW visitors and guests should be escorted at all times. Residents should walk down to let their guests into the building.
• If you lose your GWorld card, deactivate it. If you lose your keys, borrow loaner keys or replace yours. You do not want strangers to have access to your residence.
• Never open your door to strangers. Check the ID of service people before letting them in. Don’t be embarrassed to call for verification.
• If you come home and see a door or window open or broken, do not enter. Call police from a cell phone.

For Your Office

For Your Car

More Security Tips from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department