Campus safety is a concern for students who have found their home at OCU. Twenty-third Street has been renovated and rehabilitated in the past few years, but there are always reasons to take precautions when living in the center of a city.
Campus police have dealt with many safety issues, including an attempted abduction last semester and suspicious persons being on campus.
See here for more on the attempted abduction.
But students should be aware of practices they can implement to help keep themselves safe and reach out to campus police if they need additional information.
Many people may not realize that Oklahoma City has one of the highest crime rates in America, according to neighborhoodscout.com, a data collecting site for safety statistics. The website compared Oklahoma City to all cities in the U.S. and ranked it seven out of 100 for the crime index, with 100 being the safest. The chances of someone living in Oklahoma City to be victim of a violent or property crime is one in 21, according to the website.
Students on campus may feel they’re invincible because the bubble of OCU can feel safe and protected. Although university property is private, strangers often wander onto campus.
Students should be aware of their surroundings and should educate themselves about the medical amnesty policy, which encourages students to seek medical attention in emergency situations without fear of disciplinary action.
OCU Police Chief Jennifer Rodgers said students also should utilize the “Never Walk Alone” program, which allows students to receive a police escort anywhere on campus 24/7.
“Please call us,” Rodgers said. “Don’t think you’re bothering us because this is part of our job, to protect the students.”
Students should try to walk in groups with other students, especially at night, and stay in well-lit areas on campus. If you are going somewhere off campus by yourself, inform a friend of your plans so there is always someone aware if a safety concern arises.
Students also can download the Rave Guardian app, which provides immediate contact with campus police in an emergency situation and shares the student’s location with police.
Campus police work to make OCU a safe place, but students should always stay aware of the safety concerns of living in the city. Be knowledgeable and smart about safety practices you can apply to your own life to create a safer community on campus.
Students can call campus police at the non-emergency number 405-208-5001 or the emergency number 405-208-5911.
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