Campus Safety Services LMU.edu
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Campus Safety Services LMU.edu
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Campus Safety Tips

  • The following safety tips apply wherever you are -- not just on the LMU campus! You can also review LMU Student Affairs' Safe Behavior Recommendations.

    • Look confident and purposeful when you walk. If possible, do not walk alone at night. If you feel unsafe while moving about campus, use the Rave Guardian app's "Watch Me Walk" feature or request a Public Safety escort.
    • Have your OneCard and keys ready as you approach your home and/or vehicle.
    • Stay alert and keep your mind on your surroundings (not your phone!).
    • Avoid walking in areas with limited lighting, especially alleys and parks.
    • If you think you are being followed, walk towards areas that are most likely to be populated and call Public Safety immediately. Make eye contact.
    • Designate a sober friend when you are drinking.
    • Don't accept drinks from other people, and be sure to open drink containers yourself.
    • Be mindful of what you are drinking, and keep it with you and covered at all times.
    • If you feel like the effect of the alcohol you are consuming is stronger than usual, stop drinking and get help right away.
    • Always keep your keys and OneCard with you. Similarly, do not leave valuables unattended in plain sight.
    • Close and lock your doors and windows when you aren't home, and hide your valuables in drawers when you leave (or purchase a small safe). If you live on the first floor, close your blinds/curtains before you head out.
    • Avoid propping doors open, even if you are visiting a friend in a room nearby.
    • Don't let strangers into your residence hall. Don't answer your door unless you know the person.
    • Memorize emergency exit and phone locations.
    • Keep a list of your valuable property in case anything is lost or stolen from your apartment or home. Include the make, model, serial number, and purchase date of each item.
    • Be social media wise! Avoid geotagging your photos that share your location, and don't publicly announce when you're home alone or leaving your place unattended.

  • Watch Chief Williams' tips for living off campus, produced in partnership with LMU Student Affairs. 

    • Change the locks when you move into an off-campus apartment or house.
    • Don't place your full name on the mailbox or apartment directory. Use first and middle initials instead.
    • Lighting is the cheapest and most effective way of deterring criminal activity! Use external lights for better visibility, and leave them on after dark. Leave a light on inside while you're away, so your place looks occupied.
    • Keep windows and doors locked and secured at all times. Secure sliding doors with a safety bar, which can be placed in the door track to prevent the door from being forced open.
    • Close your curtains or blinds at night to prevent strangers from seeing that you are alone.
    • Don't let strangers into your apartment building.
    • Never hide an extra key under a mat, in a flowerpot, or other easily accessible place (criminals know all the hiding places). Rather, give the key to a trusted neighbor.
    • Check to see who is at the door before answering, especially when home alone (use a peephole, or ask through the closed door if you do not have a peephole, Ring, or similar service).
    • Keep a list of your valuable property in case anything is lost or stolen from your apartment or home. Include the make, model, serial number, and purchase date of each item.
    • Develop a "buddy system" with your neighbors. Stay alert for suspicious-looking strangers, sounds, or actions in the hallways and notify the police at once.
    • Ask for proper identification from repairmen, utility workers, or strangers. Don't be afraid to ask – if they're legitimate, they won't mind. Never give keys to repairmen or deliverymen.
    • If a stranger asks to use the telephone, don't let them inside. Offer to summon emergency assistance or make the call yourself.
    • If you come home and see signs of forced entry, don't go inside. Call police immediately.
    • When leaving for an extended period of time:
      • Make sure all doors and windows are securely locked.
      • Close blinds so strangers can't peek inside.
      • Hide electronics and other valuables, or take them with you.
      • Disconnect power cords and electrical appliances that will not be in use.
      • Make your home look occupied by leaving a few lights on or setting up lamps on a timer.
      • Have your mail and newspaper temporarily held while you are away. Schedule this service with the local post office or online.
      • Have a trusted friend or neighbor check on your property. Make sure they have a phone number to contact you in an emergency.

  • If you are the victim of sexual or interpersonal misconduct:

    • Go to a safe place as soon as you can.
    • Call for help. For all emergencies, dial 9-1-1 first, followed by LMU Public Safety. For calls that are not time-sensitive, call LMU Public Safety at 310.339.2893.
    • Preserve all physical evidence.
    • Keep a log.
    • Seek emergency medical and crisis treatment.
      • Rape Treatment Center: 310.319.4000
      • LMU Student Health Services: 310.338.2881
      • LMU Counseling Center: 310.338.2868
      • Get help abroad with the ACE Travel Assistance Program.
        • Domestic: 855.327.1414
        • International: +1 630.694.9764

  • Attending a Party or Festival

    • Go out in groups (with friends you can trust), and make a plan about getting home. Start a group text for the night.
    • Designate a "buddy" within the group: you look out for them, and they look out for you. Organize a time and meeting place in case you get split up.
    • Make note of your exit routes when you first arrive.
    • Make sure your phone is fully charged, and always have your OneCard and $20 for emergencies.

      Drinking

      • Prior to drinking, decide the number of drinks you will consume, and stick to it. Space drinks to one or less per hour.
      • Always eat before consuming alcohol, and have a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you consume.
      • Designate a sober friend.
      • Don't accept drinks from other people, and be sure to open drink containers yourself.
      • Be mindful of what you are drinking (be wary of punch bowls!), and keep it with you and covered at all times.
      • If you feel like the effect of the alcohol you are consuming is stronger than usual, stop drinking and get help right away.
      • Just because someone is in your class, doesn't mean you know them as well as you may think. Stay mindful of the situation and make clear decisions.
      • If you don't feel like drinking more, say "no thanks" or hold a cup with a non-alcoholic beverage.

      Throwing a Party

      • You, as the host, are responsible for keeping your guests safe. You may be liable if anyone is injured.
      • Remember to keep the noise level down.
      • Collect keys at the door.
      • Do not allow an intoxicated person to continue drinking alcoholic beverages.
      • Serve plenty of high-protein, non-salty food like cheese and meat – these foods stay in the stomach longer.
      • Stop serving alcohol 1 hour before the party is over.
      • Let impaired friends spend the night, or find them a ride home.
      • Stay sober yourself – remember, you may have to deal with an emergency.

    • While ride sharing is a convenient way to travel, it is important to still be mindful when using the service.

      • Confirm that the driver's identity and vehicle matches what is shown on the ride sharing app.
      • Check the driver's rating and number of rides given.
      • Never pay with cash, even for tipping; always use your app account for payment.
      • Share your trip details with a family member or friend.
      • If possible, travel in a group while using ride sharing services.

    • General

      • Never put your safety at risk to protect your belongings.
      • Keep a photograph and detailed description of property of value.

      Laptop / Phone / Tablet Theft Prevention

      • Enable tracking software on your devices.
      • Never leave your laptop, tablet, or phone in your car.
      • When outside your home, always have visual contact with your devices.
      • Label your devices with your contact information.

      Bicycle Theft Prevention

      • Secure your bicycle's frame (not a tire) to a bike rack with a U-lock.
      • Bicycles that are not properly "parked" at a bike rack are more likely to be stolen.
      • Register your bicycle with LMU Public Safety. If your bike is ever stolen, the registration will help expedite its return.

      Theft from Vehicle Prevention

      • Park your car in well-lit and busy areas, and always lock it.
      • Park your car in areas with high vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
      • Be discrete when loading your trunk. Try to place valuables in your trunk before getting to your destination.
      • If you use valet, leave only the ignition key with the attendant.

      Burglary Prevention

      • Close and lock your doors and windows when you are not home.
      • While away, create the illusion that you are at home (ex. keep a light on).
      • Don't let strangers into your residence hall or apartment building.
      • Avoid propping doors open, even if you are visiting a friend in a room nearby.
      • Always keep your keys and OneCard with you. Do not leave them under a mat or in your mailbox.

    • Password Tips

      • Make your password hard to guess—use a passphrase instead of simple passwords.
      • Never tell your password to anyone, and never write down your password.

      Anti-Virus Tips

      • Use an AntiVirus application, keep it updated daily, and scan your drive at least weekly.
      • Be sure to maintain and renew your subscription.

      Laptop, Tablet, and Phone Tips

      • Enable tracking software on your devices.
      • Never leave your laptop, tablet or phone in your car.
      • Keep your laptop locked with a security cable.
      • When outside of your home, always have visual contact with your devices.
      • Don't leave your devices "for just a sec" no matter where you are.
      • Label devices with your contact information, in case you misplace them.

      Email Tips

      • Think twice before clicking on emails from those you don't know.
      • Never click on links or open attachments from a stranger or even from someone you know if it looks suspicious. Call or text them first, to confirm that it's legitimate.
      • Don't send personal information like your social security number, driver's license number, or credit card numbers via email.
      • Beware of phishing emails that ask for personal information. Companies and banks never ask you to confirm your password via email. If you are unsure if the email is legitimate, look up the phone number for the company or bank online, and call them first.

      File Sharing Tips

      • Distributing copyrighted videos and music files is illegal.
      • Keep in mind that a file shared with you may contain viruses.
      • Beware of peer-to-peer file sharing applications such as BitTorrent.

      Computer Updates

      • Turn on Automatic Updates for your operating system
      • Update all applications when they become available (e.g. Adobe Acrobat, Java, Flash, Microsoft Updates, Web browsers).

    • In the event of an active shooter, remember to RUN-HIDE-FIGHT. RUN if you can, HIDE if you can’t run, and FIGHT as a last resort. For a full list of tips and resources on how to prepare for and respond to an active shooter situation, visit our Active Shooter Preparedness page.