{"id":111458,"date":"2022-09-12T13:17:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T18:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/?p=111458"},"modified":"2022-09-21T20:09:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T01:09:00","slug":"campus-safety-week-to-focus-on-prevention-building-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/campus-safety-week-to-focus-on-prevention-building-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Campus Safety Week to focus on prevention, building trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

UWM will kick off its annual Campus Safety Week Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Spaights Plaza, just north of the UWM Student Union, with an emphasis on prevention and strengthening community trust. The event will include<\/a> safety information and resources from all over the campus and around the community. (In case of inclement weather, the events will move to the library overhang at the north end of the plaza.)<\/p>\n

In addition to presenting health and safety information, Safety Week is a good opportunity to strengthen old relationships and build new ones with the campus community, said UWM Police Chief David Salazar.<\/p>\n

While UWM is in a very safe neighborhood, he said, \u201cwe especially want to focus on our students who haven\u2019t lived on or near campus before by providing them with information on how to keep themselves safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the Monday kickoff event, students, faculty and staff can learn from more than two dozen information booths and presentations representing campus and community organizations. Representatives of the UWM Legal Clinic, Neighborhood Housing, Innovative Weather, the Student Health and Wellness Center\u2019s sexual violence prevention and suicide prevention programs and others will be on hand.<\/p>\n

\"A
A UWM Police student safety officer stands on duty in 2019. (UWM Photo Services\/Elora Hennessey)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Susan Cushman, coordinator of the health center\u2019s alcohol and drug abuse program, will do a presentation on opioids.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Milwaukee Fire and Police departments, the Milwaukee County Sheriff\u2019s Office and organizations including Aurora Health Care\u2019s victim advocacy service, Milwaukee Safe and Sound and the Autism Society of Southeast Wisconsin will be available to answer questions and share information.<\/p>\n

The UWM Safety and Assurances Department will offer fire extinguisher training, and the Department of Transportation will have a simulator available to demonstrate the importance of wearing a safety belt.<\/p>\n

Visitors will also have the chance to register for the UWM Police Department\u2019s new Citizens Academy<\/a> and for a car theft prevention device.<\/p>\n

With the focus on prevention, the police department will be sharing common sense tips like locking doors and walking with others. \u201cYou have to be aware of your surroundings \u2013 where you are and who is around you. Don\u2019t walk around with your head buried in your phone,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n

The police department encourages students to take advantage of programs like the B.O.S.S. rides and RAVE Guardian<\/a>. RAVE is a mobile safety and alert app that connects students, faculty and staff directly with university police resources through texting, confidential tips, location sharing, a call directory and a safety\/resource content portal. One feature allows users to post their departures and expected arrival times with a friend or a police officer so someone can keep track of them when walking alone.<\/p>\n

In another preventive effort, the police department is reaching out proactively to owners of Hyundais and Kias who park on campus to let them know free steering wheel locks are available for their vehicles, Salazar said. Certain models of these cars have been frequent targets for thieves.<\/p>\n

The Police Department is also working collaboratively with the Dean of Students office on issues like rowdy parties in the neighborhoods or residence halls, minor disputes, traffic and drug infractions, he added. \u201cWe\u2019re really blessed to have a partnership with that office,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n

Often the solution to minor infractions is just a matter of educating students to be respectful of neighbors by keeping the noise down or to be aware of the campus health and wellness resources to help them deal with problems with drugs and alcohol or anxiety and stress. \u201cIf we can deal with some of these problems at a lower level, they don\u2019t escalate,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n

After the kick-off on Monday, Safety Week will continue with a series of other events to give students and the campus community a chance to learn more about safety and get to know the members of the police department.<\/p>\n

Here is the schedule for the rest of the week:<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Sept. 20<\/strong><\/p>\n