LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
PROFILES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1996 7C
22
KU safety squad tips students to crime
- New students should be aware of the potential for crime and what they can do to help prevent it.
BY KELLY GAST SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL-WORLD
RICHARD GWIN/JOURNAL-WORLD PHOTO
Gayle T. Reece, a Kansas University police officer, gives seminars to students on preventing theft.
Kelly Entreken brought her brand-new Toyota pickup to Kansas University last semester.
She left the alarm disarming device in the open ashtray, visible from the outside, so it took only seconds for someone to break into her car and turn off the alarm.
Entreken, Mission Viejo, Calif., sophomore, was unaware that theft was a problem around campus as well as in the Lawrence area.
"I really learned a lot from this experience." Entrenked. "It has
"Students have a bad habit of leaving things unattended, such as backpacks and coats in the libraries and cafeterias."
— Gayle T.
Reece, KU
police
department
made me realize that I need to be more careful of how and where I leave my car."
Although Kansas University is thought of as a relatively safe place, it's not without crime. The No. 1 reported crime on campus is theft. In 1995, there were 632 reports of stolen property on campus.
such as backpacks and coats in the libraries and cafeterias," said Sgt. Gayle T. Reece of the KU Police Department. "I like the old saying, 'Out of sight, out of mind.' If you leave something visible, such as in a car window, it is like window shopping for theft."
"Students have a bad habit of leaving things unattended, such as backpacks and coats in the libraries and cafeterias," said Sgt. Gayle T. Reece of the KU Police Department. "I like the old saying, 'Out of sight, out of mind.' If you leave something visible, such as in a car window, it is like window shopping for theft."
Reece, an officer since 1979, began giving awareness seminars at the university in October 1995. She offers these tips for making your possessions safer from theft:
- Lock all residence hall rooms, apartments and vehicles whenever you leave, even if you're only going to be gone a few minutes.
- Record serial and model numbers of all valuables. Should something be taken, you'll be able to prove it's yours.
- Engrave all valuables.
"Things are not as likely to be stolen if there is large engraving on the item. It is too easily identified," Reece said. Engraving tools are kept and loaned at the residence
WHOM TO CALL
CrimeStoppers: 864- 8888. This program takes anonymous tips on crime.
Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center: 864-3552. The center provides workshops on sexual harassment and other women's issues.
KU Police Department: 864-5572. In an emergency, call 911.
SafeRide: 864-SAFE. A free taxi service for students from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week.
halls as well as the KU Police Deptment.
Even though theft is the most prevalent crime, there are also other threats new students need to be aware of.
"Kansas University has a population of a city, and in that respect I think it is a very safe place," Reece said. "Night still is the time of day that students need to take the most precautions."
Lawrence buses travel many places on and off campus for a single-ride charge or semester fee. Several routes are offered throughout campus and Lawrence.
A taxicab service for students, called SafeRide, is funded by the
KU Student Senate. You can call from anywhere in the Lawrence area and a volunteer driver will pick you up and make sure that you get home safely.
Because SafeRide is a student-sponsored service through the university, it is free for all students.
Students also should know about the golden rule of safety awareness.
"Notice the things that are around you," Reece said. "Look for blue phones located throughout campus. These phones are enhanced 911 systems."
The phones are recognizable by the bright blue lights on top. By pushing a button, a signal is sent directly to the KU Police Department and lets the officers know which phone was activated. An officer will be sent to the scene immediately.
Here are some other tips Recee offers for personal safety;
on offers for personal safety.
• Don't walk alone unless you
- Walk along established areas such as streets.
- Use notification. Let someone know when you are leaving, what your plans are and what time you think you will return. Also, it's wise to let someone know what route you will be taking.
"We are concerned for students safety and comfort," Reece said. "We want to help provide an environment where they can learn. We can only help when we know where help is needed. We want students to contact us if they feel that we can help them in any way."
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A wide variety of student, campus and community organizations are available for incoming and returning students on the Kansas University campus.
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SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL-WORLD
The Organizations and Activities Center publishes a directory of all organizations that involve KU students. From Students for WildCare to Douglas County AIDS Project, there are more than 300 organizations. The directory contains a listing of all the different organizations, along with the names, addresses and phone numbers of group presidents or organizers.
There are many different ways to become involved in the clubs and organizations on campus.
In North Lawrence at Tanger Outlet Mall Exit #204 off I-70 at Hwy 59 • (913) 832-1100
Center helps students find niche at university
At the beginning of each semester, there is an information fair in the Kansas Union. Here, many of the clubs and organizations set up tables where interested students can sign up and talk with the various members of the organizations. Many of the organizations also post filers that advertise their organizations and give the dates of their first meeting.
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Amiee Hoffhines, Arkansas City junior, is a member of Acad-
ity, women must go through rush, which begins the week before school begins. Applications are available during Summer Orientation.
Other organizations will also have information for students at Summer Orientation.
Many residence halls also post information on how and where to go to become involved in the various organizations. Each organization takes different amounts of time. Some require weekly meetings; others meet only once a month.
If you want a list of all the student, campus and community organizations, contact the Organizations and Activities Center in Room 400 of the Kansas Union or call (913)864-4861.
emy of Students of Pharmacy, Golden Key National Honor Society and is president of her sorority. Hoffmann said the best place to look for an organization is the information tables at the beginning of the semester in the Union or in the University Daily Kansan, the student newspaper. But she believes that the most popular organization for incoming freshmen is the Greek system.
When Christie Crouse, a Waterloo, Iowa, sophomore, came to KU, she found that the grek organizations best fit her personality.
"I was looking for an organization that contained people with my interests. I did not know anyone, and sorority rush gave me an opportunity to meet many new women."
To become a member of a soror-
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