Safety Awareness
The University community has become a vibrant academic, social, cultural and sports center for our city. Unfortunately, the advantages, of an open urban location can be an attraction to those with criminal intent.
The USC Beaufort Department of Public Safety, Beaufort County Sheriff, and the Jasper County Sheriff have joined forces to patrol the University community.
What can you do to help?
The number one thing you can do is take a few precautions and follow a few safety tips:
- Trust your instincts. If a place or situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Leave.
- Use lighted walkways.
- Don't walk alone after dark. Early evening to late evening, travel only in groups. Call DPS for escort (843) 208-8911.
- When traveling in your vehicle, keep windows and doors locked.
- If approached, don't resist a robber, especially if he has a weapon.
- Never venture into or through dark or undesirable neighborhoods.
- Familiarize yourself with call box locations.
- Get a good description of the attacker and locate a safe area in the event of an encounter.
- If attacked or approached by someone suspicious, contact the police immediately by calling 911 or use the nearest call box.
Identity Theft Safety Tips
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, and students may be particularly vulnerable to this crime. Learn how to protect yourself and your future from identity theft by going to www.ed.gov/misused.
The first step to prevent identity theft is awareness of how and when you use your personal information. By keeping close tabs on your personal information, you can reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim.
- Memorize your Social Security number and passwords. Don’t record your password on papers you carry with you.
- Don’t use your date of birth as your password.
- Shred pre-approved credit applications and other financial documents before discarding them.
- Order credit reports every year from each of the major credit reporting agencies and thoroughly review them for accuracy.
- Never give personal or financial information over the phone or Internet unless you initiated the contact.
- Don’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate with you.
- Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
- Check your monthly credit card and bank statements for unusual activity.
- Use a firewall program on your computer, especially if you leave your computer connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
- Do not download files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don’t know.
Date Rape Drugs
Date Rape drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB are an up and coming problem for today's college students. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe when you are on a night out.
- Never accept drinks from anyone you don't know.
- If you order a drink at the bar, watch the bartender make the drink. Bartenders have been known to slip drugs into a drink.
- Do not leave your drink unattended. You will not realize something has been added until it is too late. The date rape drugs are colorless and odorless.
- If you are drinking a non-alcoholic beverage, do not presume you are safe.
- If you are going to a bar, club or party, have a trusted person watch your drink at all times.
If you do start to feel you have been slipped a date rape drug, find a trusted friend who will immediately take you to the hospital.
Please remember a few tips when you do go out and try to stay safe. These drugs are powerful and can render you powerless and even kill you. Contact the CODA 24-hour Crisis Line at (843) 770-1070 or toll-free at 1-800-868-2632.
Learn about abused drugs
If you are not sure......call 911
Club Drugs OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS
- GHB - "Roofies" (Rohypnol): Drowsiness, amnesia, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes, convulsions, impaired breathing and possibly death.
- Methamphetamine - "Meth": Increased heart rate, blood pressure and high body temperature, hyperventilation, seizures, heart attack, and possibly death.
- Ketamine: Delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, slurred speech, temporary paralysis, nausea, depression and possibly death.