Personal Safety - Housing

• Never give or loan your room or apartment to anyone.
• If your room key is either lost or stolen, you must immediately contact housing staff to request a lock change.
• Keep your room door closed and locked whenever you are out of your room - even for a few seconds.
• If you plan to be away for the weekend, lock away your valuables or take them with you.
• Never permit individuals into your room that neither you nor your roommates know personally.
• Use the viewer to see who is at the door.
• Never leave personal valuables (keys, purse, wallet) in plain sight - always lock them away. Do not leave large sums of money or valuables in your room. If you must, make sure it is locked in a secure area.
• Have all large equipment (TV, radios) engraved with your driver's license number.
• Do not leave messages on you door about when you will return.
• Keep ground level windows and doors closed and locked.
• Keep balcony doors locked at all times, even if on the 2nd or 3rd floors. People have been known to climb up to the balconies.
• Know fire escape routes.
• Report malfunctioning locks and other safety devices to the Maintenance Department immediately. If after hours, notify housing or security staff immediately.
• Always report suspicious persons to Campus Security by calling 301-784-5555.
• Do not put your address on your key ring.
• Do not take an open drink from someone else and never leave your drink unattended.
• Watch out for your friends. Don't leave a friend alone at a party or let them walk home alone.
• Always carry and show your Willowbrook Woods ID when entering housing and when requested.

• Keep the noise down. If neighbors complain or it can be heard outside you apartment, you're likely to see the Housing Staff, Security, or an Officer at your door.
• Don't invite more people than you can control. Big crowds are very hard to control. Sooner or later, a violation will occur or crashers will start trouble. Fire code regulations prohibit more than ten people in an apartment at one time.
• Know your guests. Every guest should know a host or be accompanied by someone who knows the host. A lot of trouble is caused by people the hosts don't even know. Opening your apartment to uninvited guests in an open invitation to thieves or worse.
• Remember that alcoholic beverages are prohibited and drug activity is a violation of the law. Alcohol is involved in 90% of rapes and sexual assaults. It dulls you judgment and lessens your inhibitions.
• Always follow Allegany College of Maryland/Willowbrook Woods guidelines.

• Have your keys in your hand so that you don't have to search for them when you reach your vehicle.
• Before entering your vehicle, visually inspect the interior for anything suspicious.
• As soon as you enter your vehicle, lock all doors and turn on your headlights.
• When you park at night, try to park close to a light or in a well-lit area.
• If you see anyone or anything suspicious, call Campus Police (301-784-5555) for an escort to your apartment.
• Avoid thefts from your vehicle by locking it every time you leave it; by not leaving your windows down; by activating alarms or anti-theft devices and by keeping books, CD players, or other valuables out of sight or locked in the trunk.
• Don't leave vital information in your car. Registration and insurance cards contain personal information that allows your residence or person to become a target.
• Keep your key fob in your hand when walking to and from your vehicle. The panic button can be used as an alarm and draw unwanted attention for a attack or assault.

You can report an incident by calling Housing Security at 301-784-5196, Campus Police at 301-784-5555, the police at 911, or an RA at 301-786-7194.

When reporting, attempt to provide as much information as possible about the situation, including at least the following:

• What happened
• When it happened
• Where it happened
• If anyone is injured
• Description and/or names of persons involved
• Your name, address, phone number (optional, you may choose to remain anonymous)