Tips for increasing your safety awareness and personal protection include:

• Program your cell phone: Program your phone to speed dial 911 and the Manhattan College 24/7 emergency Public Safety number: 718-862-7333.
• ICE: Assign an "In Case of Emergency" number (ICE) in your cell phone. Rescuers are trained to check your cell phone for an ICE entry. This is the person you want contacted in an emergency.
• Campus Pathway and Garage Emergency Blue Light Phones: These are located throughout Manhattan College. They are located on each garage level and certain remote campus pathways (see details below).
• Pathways: If possible, travel on well-lit pathways and be accompanied by another person.
• Suspicious Activity: Notify Public Safety of any suspicious persons, conditions or objects. We will respond and investigate.
• When Alone: If possible, telephone ahead to your destination that you’re on the way.
• Do Not Wear Headphones/Bluetooth Devices: These inhibit your ability to hear approaching automobiles, audible alerts and individuals who may be intent on harming you.
• Stay Alert: Focus on surroundings. Avoid texting while walking, especially when crossing streets.
• Plan-Seeking Assistance: Know where to obtain help in the event you may need it; pre-plan escape routes.    
• Prevent Injury/Falls: Do not carry bags with the hand strap secured around your neck, you must be able to let go in the event you are involved in a struggle. Have bag draped over shoulder to prevent injury.
• Calm and Collected: Remain as calm as possible, don’t engage in a verbal confrontation and stay focused on getting help.
• Reality: Be realistic about your ability to protect yourself in certain situations. Consider escape routes and yelling for help. Your safety is far more valuable than any material items.

Every emergency situation is different. Only you can decide what course of action is appropriate.

You can help keep your residence hall safe by adhering to the following guidelines –

• ALWAYS keep your suite door LOCKED, whether you are in your apartment or out.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to Public Safety.
• Keep windows on the street level, near fire escapes, or otherwise accessible from outside the building LOCKED.
• Do not let strangers into your room or your residence hall building.
• Do not give out your key or combo to anyone – report lost keys or if you believe your combination has been compromised.
• Comply with hall access policies and report any violations you observe. Never lend your college ID to anyone.
• Don’t prop doors open (it is both a fire and security hazard).
• Know the location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and emergency exits.
• Avoid keeping valuables in your room (even if they are hidden). Consider purchasing a small dorm security safe with a security cable for valuables and a laptop security cable.
• Comply with all residence hall safety protocols – they are there for your safety - (See Student Code of Conduct).

Public Transportation

Cell phones and other electronic devices are prime targets for thieves who snatch these items right from the victim’s hands as train or bus doors close - leaving you helpless and without your device! To reduce your risk please consider the following tips –

Subways

• Be ready. Have your metro card, access device or money available and ready for use.
• Whenever possible travel with a friend.
• Avoid cars that are significantly less crowded and remain awake on the train.
• Wait for the train near the station booth during non-rush hours. Many stations have off-hour waiting areas.
• Stand away from the edge of the platform. Wait and walk close to the wall.
• Ride in the conductor’s car, especially during off-peak hours.
• Sit in the center of the car and away from the doors to avoid a purse, phone or chain snatch.
• Refrain from using your electronic devices onboard the train or station platforms – keep them OUT of VIEW.
• Keep money and jewelry hidden. Hold your handbag and other possessions securely.
• Keep bags closed and zipped/fastened shut. Be aware of your wallet or purse to avoid being pickpocketed.

Buses

In addition to the aforementioned, remember-

• Wait for the bus on the sidewalk away from the curb.
• Sit near the front of the bus and the driver if possible.

Subway and Bus Safety

Transit System Safety

 When parking on campus please remain alert and stay safe. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to Public Safety at 718-862-7333 or dial 911 for emergencies. The following tips can help you stay safe –

• Drive slowly and safely on campus.
• Remain alert to vehicle traffic within parking areas and look all ways when walking.
• Don’t wear headphones or be distracted by your cell phone when driving or walking in parking lots or the garage.
• Avoid parking in secluded areas.
• Turn off the ignition and remove the keys. Remember to lock your doors and roll up the windows.
• NEVER leave valuables in sight (packages, phones, purses, wallets, etc.). Keep them in the trunk and out of sight.

Garage

• Drive slowly when entering, departing, or within the garage.
• Be alert to vehicle traffic and be cautious when walking.
• If possible, park close to a stairwell or elevator in a well-lit location.
• Remember the level and area of the garage where you parked.

Emergency Blue Light Phones

Blue-light phones are located on each level of the parking garage by the stairwells. Press the button to speak with a Public Safety officer if you need assistance.

Remember

• Have your keys in hand before walking to your vehicle.
• Look around and inside your vehicle before entering. If anything appears suspicious, walk away and call Public Safety.

The parks in New York are a great place to go walking, exercise or just relax. Please take the following precautions when visiting any public park to help ensure your safety.

• Remember, there is safety in numbers. Always walk or run with a friend.
• If you observe anyone acting in a suspicious manner, or if you feel threatened in any way, call the police immediately by dialing 911.
• Avoid visiting parks after dark; enjoy them during daylight hours.
• Don’t take shortcuts or dirt paths through wooded or desolate areas. Stay on well-lit, populated pathways.
• Remain alert and aware at all times. When wearing headphones be extra alert to those around you. Don't TUNE yourself out.
• Aviod displaying cash or any other items of value (cell phones, jewelry, etc.).
• Know the locations of stores or businesses that may be open near the park. This may be a safe place to get to should you feel threatened.
• Always carry some form of identification, and having your cellphone with you will allow you to call for help if needed (even when jogging/running).
• If you think someone is following you, change direction and try to distance yourself from them. Do not be afraid to run away, call, or yell for help.

• Move Away: Get away from the affected area, and verbally alert everyone else of the condition and the need to evacuate. Alert everyone by yelling and banging on doors while proceeding directly to the nearest exit.
• Activate: Pull the nearest fire alarm.
• Call: Contact fire emergency services at 911 and Public Safety at (718) 862-7333. Communicate the details of the condition by providing the exact location and nature of the emergency. Describe the fire or smoke condition to the best of your ability.
• Evacuate: Employees, students and guests are not expected to fight fires and must evacuate the building immediately at the first sound of an alarm. Evacuation should be made via the nearest safe exit. Employees and students must not alter their course of exit in order to search for or notify other occupants.
• Close Doors: If conditions permit, all doors should be pulled closed as occupants evacuate the building, this helps to contain the fire and smoke.
• Crawl: Evacuees should crawl and keep as low to the floor as possible, where there is less smoke.
• Test Doors: Evacuees should test doorknobs, doors and the space around the door with the back of their hand. If the door is warm, try another escape route. If it’s cool, open it slowly and slam it shut if smoke pours through.
• Do Not Re-Enter Building: Do not go back in or permit anyone else to re-enter a building that is in alarm status. Re-entry can only be made after an ‘all-clear’ signal is given by the fire department and the fire alarm system is reset.
• Use Stairs: Do not use an elevator during a fire, except in newer buildings where elevators continue to run until an elevator shaft smoke detector is activated.
• Trapped: If you can’t get out, call 911 and tell them your exact location. Seal the door with rags and signal from the window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom, but close them if smoke comes in.
• Hazardous Materials: These should be secured and laboratory experiments terminated before leaving the building, unless doing so presents a greater hazard.
• Assembly and Roll Call: Evacuees will be directed by Public Safety staff to a designated assembly area, at least 150 feet from the affected area. At the assembly area, staff must make every effort to account for all occupants and immediately report their findings to the fire department and college administrators.
• Special Concerns: During an emergency, certain students and visitors may not be familiar with the evacuation plan and must be informed of the requirement to evacuate and the evacuation routes; special attention should be given to any persons with disabilities, especially those who are visitors or unfamiliar with the building.
• Disabled Persons: Public Safety makes every effort to track the locations of all persons (students, employees and visitors) with both obvious and reported disabilities during their time on campus. In the event evacuation is necessary, every effort must be made to facilitate and assist in the evacuation of persons with disabilities. Finally, Public Safety personnel shall immediately direct arriving emergency responders (fire, police and EMS) to the location of those individuals with disabilities. Evacuation chairs are available through the Public Safety Office in the event it becomes necessary to evacuate a non-ambulatory disabled person.