By Dena Arthurs Jambar Contributor
Whether students are crossing the street or staying late to study at the library, student safety on campus is paramount for the Youngstown State University Police Department. YSU Police Chief Shawn Varso has many safety tips students can implement while on campus.
Recent car thefts prompted Varso to send a campus-wide email Sept. 21, cautioning students to lock their vehicles.
“We had a series of vehicles that had been entered by unknown individuals and had items taken out of them,” Varso said. “What we found in all those cases was that the individuals who had their stuff taken didn’t lock their doors.”
He said nothing was damaged and no windows were broken. It was just a case of the doors being unlocked.
Varso also said students should keep expensive items out of view in a vehicle or in their possession at all times.
“If you don’t need it, don’t bring it with you. If you have something valuable, and you can leave it at home, leave it at home,” Varso said. “The best way for something not to get stolen is it not to be there.”
One tip Varso said he recommends most is having the department’s phone number on speed dial.
“Every presentation I give is our phone number, it’s the thing I start with — 330-941-3527,” Varso said. “I always tell people, if they have that ability to program that in as a speed dial, to please do that.”
Varso said it’s the fastest way to contact the emergency response team on campus. If students call 911, it will go straight to the City of Youngstown’s 911 center, then get routed to the YSUPD, taking longer for them to respond.
Another safety issue students can fall victim to are scams. Students can call the department’s number asking about emails they received to see if they are valid.
He said some scams promise a job for little work if students provide their credit card number or other personal information.
“If it’s too good to be true, then it’s probably a scam,” Varso said. “We will always take a look at anything [students] want us to look at. Go over something if they think it’s a scam or if they’re questioning it.”
Varso said YSUPD is open 24 hours a day if people ever need to stop by or call.
Students can also practice situational awareness by walking in well-lit areas, with a group or by staying away from areas that seem suspicious.
YSU provides multiple, protective resources for students if they feel unsafe or have emergencies. YSU Student Security Service, available until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, provides an escort for students who want someone to accompany them to their destination.
There are also emergency phones placed around campus and a personal emergency phone available on the PENGUINsafe app.
Varso said students can use features in the app such as the virtual walk home. Hitting the virtual walk-home button alerts the dispatch center of the student’s location until they disable it by acknowledging they made it to their destination.