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The UAB Police & Public Safety Department's Crime Prevention Specialist is the driving force for coordinating the UAB community crime prevention program. Through regularly scheduled seminars, presentations, and community meetings, combined with the deliberate and constant interaction of uniformed and plain clothes officers within the campus community, crime prevention efforts, under the concepts of "Community Policing," is stronger than ever. One of our most successful programs is the "Campus Watch" program. This program was planned, developed, undertaken, and is now continuously evaluated by the Crime Prevention Specialist. Mirrored off of municipal Neighborhood Watch programs, "Campus Watch" directly involves the entire UAB community in an effort to thwart and effectively deter opportunistic crime in and around the UAB campus and its buildings and property. This unit reports to the Office of Professional Standards Division Commander.

In addition, the Crime Prevention Specialist coordinates our Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training. CRASE provides strategies, guidance and a plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics taught in the course include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues and considerations for conducting drills. CRASE is built and designed on the Avoid, Defend, Deny (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004. 

The training is free, last approximately 45-60 minutes (depending on Q&A afterwards), and everyone who attends classes or works on campus can benefit from this training.

For questions or comments, please contact:


(205) 934-4649

 

 
  • Things you could be doing to prevent a crime from occurring
    • Join UAB Campus Watch.
    • Take one of our Crime Prevention or Personal Safety/Self Defense Classes
    • Stay abreast of media alerts and prevention measures.
    • Read campus newspapers to stay abreast of local concerns.
    • If possible, never walk alone in dimly lit areas without a companion or associate. If you must walk alone, be cautious., stay alert, and be aware of your surroundings....or call for an ESCORT.
    • Use the best lighted and heaviest traveled routes while walking.
    • Have your keys ready when you get to your car for quick entry. Lock your doors immediately and keep windows rolled up once you get in.
    • Don't roll your window down to talk to a stranger under suspicious circumstances. If you think you are being followed, turn abruptly several times, and if you are being followed, drive to a crowded, well lit area (fire station, store, etc.) and have someone there call the police for you.
    • Do not stop and get out of your car to call for help in isolated areas. If you are walking, begin looking for an escape or someone to help.
    • If someone demands your valuables (car, purse, wallet, etc.), just give it to them. It is all replaceable and not worth getting hurt, seriously injured, or killed over!
    • Keep your valuables out of sight (in your trunk, under the seat, etc.) in your car.
    • If you are going away from the office for more than just a few moments, lock your door. Keep your personal valuables (purse, wallet, etc.) locked in a drawer.
    • Call the UAB Crime Prevention Specialist at (205) 934-2409 for additional information.

    If there should be a need for potential threat information to be made available to the public, it may be distributed to the UAB community in various ways by: 

    • Fax machines
    • Electronic mail
    • UAB Reporter
    • Monday mailing
    • UAB Campus Watch
    • Kaleidoscope
    • Flyers and posters
    • Hand delivered messages

    You can visit the UAB Emergency Information page for where and when to look for updates in an emergency situation.

    UAB Emergency Information

  • Reporting Suspicious Activities

    Remember, your UAB Police would rather be called and not needed than needed and not called!

    • Remain calm. Keep away from the suspicious person(s) or activity and avoid taking any risks. Notify the UAB Police Department, dial 911.
    • Give your name, address, and phone number. The university police need to contact you for more information later. If you prefer, you can remain anonymous.
    • Tell the police whether the crime is in progress or has already been completed. (if you see a crime in progress, report it immediately. If you wait, the police will have a much more difficult time apprehending the suspect).
    • Be prepared to give the following information: A description of what happened (time, place, was anyone injured...). A description of the suspect (sex, age, race, weight, distinctive characteristics).
    • A description of any vehicle (s) involved, license plate number if possible Time and direction of escape
    • Additional details and circumstances (if any).
  • Report suspicious behavior immediately to the UAB Police Department

    Suspicious behavior on campus can also be reported using an emergency phone. Just pick up the receiver and you will be connected directly to a dispatcher at the UAB Police Department.

    These are always suspicious activities:

    • Person screaming, cries for HELP or POLICE.
    • Loud or obscene shouting indicating a disturbance.
    • An explosion or gunshot.
    • The sound of breaking glass.
    • Someone trying to break into a building.
    • Someone tampering with a motor vehicle.
    • Person(s) publicly displaying weapons.
    • Smashed doors or windows.

    Suspicious Persons:

    ActionPossible Significance
    Person waiting in front of building or residence, especially when building is closed or owners are away. Casing a building/office/residence for a place to burglarize, burglary in progress.
    Person carrying property at an unusual hour or in an unusual location: Leaving the scene of a burglary, robbery, or theft.
    Person loitering around cars or going car to car peeking into them, especially in parking lots, carports, or on streets. Potential car thief or theft from vehicle.
    Person exhibiting unusual behavior or physical symptoms. May be injured under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in need of medical attention.
    A slow-moving vehicle (particularly at night with lights off) being driven aimlessly. Casing a place to burglarize or considering some other anti-social behavior.
    Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked in front of closed residence or building. Suspicious even if the vehicle is a legitimate-looking commercial unit. Burglary or other theft in progress.
    An abandoned vehicle. A stolen vehicle; also an unsafe place for children to hide and play.
    Vehicles containing weapons. Owner may engage in illegal activities.
    Unusual property in vehicles, especially at unusual hours. For example, TV sets, stereos, unmounted tape decks, auto parts, and computers. Stolen property.
    Persons being forced into vehicles. A kidnapping in progress, a sex offender, or a domestic violence situation.

Emergency

911

Non-Emergency

(205) 934-4434