Learn more about safety services at WKU | Western Kentucky University

Crime Prevention Tips:

There is safety in numbers. Try to walk with a group or a buddy when out a night. If you do not have a friend available to walk with call the WKUPD Escort Service at 270-745-3333 or 270-745-2548.
ALWAYS lock your residence hall doors.
Take a self-defense class.
Do not leave your personal belongings unattended while studying in a public place. Log your model and serial numbers of all valuables and keep information in a safe place.
Keep valuables in your vehicle out of plain view.
Report lost or stolen room keys immediately to the front desk of your hall.
Never leave a message on your door or via social media letting others know you are away from your room.
Do not carry large amounts of cash.
Text books are the same as cash. Do not leave them unsecured.
Do not invite people you have just met up to your room.
If you are the victim of a crime, or if you witness a crime or suspicious activity, you may report it anonymously at (270) 745-8773, or online at Anonymous Reporting.

Emergency Telephones - There are 83 emergency call boxes located throughout the Main Campus, 7 at South Campus, and 1 at the Campbell Lane Lot. By pushing the call button on the emergency call box you are connected by phone to the WKU Police Dispatch Center. A flashing blue strobe light is activated. This draws attention to the area which can deter or stop criminal acts.

In addition, close circuit television cameras in the vicinity of the emergency call box will also be redirected to the call box. This will allow Dispatch to see the area and gain valuable information about the reason for the activation. If you are not near an Emergency Phone use campus phone and dial 9-1-1 or call 270-745-2548 and you will be immediately connected to the WKU Police. If the Emergency Phone is pushed and it’s not an emergency subject could be charged for falsely reporting.

Campus Safety Programming

Active Shooter Presentations: Shots fired is the last thing you'd expect to hear on campus. While the possibility of being involved in an active shooter incident on campus may be remote, the consequences can be catastrophic. That's why it makes good sense to spend some time now thinking and preparing for it. The WKU Police Department have specialized instructors that prepare students, faculty, and staff to have a survival mindset for such an incident. They further train the community in how law enforcement will respond to an active shooting situation and what pre-incident behaviors of concern are. You can also access our video on Surviving Campus Violence “Run, Hide, Fight”. For more information or to set up an active shooter presentation for your class, department, or student group, call 270-745-2548.

Campus Safety Walk – The Student Government Association hosts and annual security walk in conjunction with University Officials to assist with the identification of any safety concerns, including lighting and campus navigation difficulties. Visit https://www.wku.edu/sga/about/sig_services.phpfor additional information?

Crime Prevention & Community Policing Programs: Safety and Crime Prevention is a shared responsibility between the WKU Police and the campus community. The WKU Police Crime Prevention section uses handouts, programs, and personal contacts to inform students, faculty and staff on measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of becoming a crime victim. WKU Police provide safety tips on our web site at www.wku.edu/police.

Crime Prevention programs are made available to residence halls, student organizations and faculty and staff meetings upon request. University Police officers attend meetings to provide crime prevention information and to hear concerns of members of the university community about crime and safety issues. Topics covered in the Crime Prevention programs include date rape awareness, theft prevention, escort services, drugs and narcotics, general safety and security, and alcohol awareness. A representative of the WKU Police often serves as guest lecturer in many class projects throughout the year. For additional information or to request a presentation, contact University Police 270-745-2548

Crime Prevention Awareness – The Housing and Residence Life Office sponsors an annual program in August geared toward engaging and educating students in their role of making Western Kentucky University safer for themselves and their fellow Hilltoppers. For additional information, contact the Housing and Residence Life Office at 270-745-2937 or email hrl@wku.edu

Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Western Kentucky University recognizes Sexual Assault Prevention Month each October to mark the national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A committee of WKU representatives and nonprofit organizations plan activities to raise awareness about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and supporting individuals who have experienced relationship violence. Annual events include an awareness kick-off and proclamation, One Love Workshop, and the annual Candlelight Vigil for victims.

Green Dot Active Bystander Intervention – A green dot is simply an individual choice at any given moment to make WKU a safer community. The Green Dot program seeks to engage individuals, through awareness, education, and skills-practice, in proactive behaviors that establish intolerance of violence as the norm, as well as reactive interventions in high-risk situations. For more information visit https://www.wku.edu/studentconduct/greendot.php. To set up a Green Dot presentation for your class, department, or student group, contact the Counseling Center at 270-745-3159.

National Campus Fire Safety Month – Please join WKU Environmental Health and Safety and the Bowling Green Fire Department for the annual Fire and Life Safety Training Day. WKU recognizes September and National Campus Fire Safety Month. Visithttps://www.wku.edu/ehs/fire/fire-safety-month.phpfor additional information.

SAFE Zone Project – The SAFE Zone Project includes two our trainings with the purpose to reduce homophobia and heterosexism by training members of the WKU community to serve as a resource for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Assexual/Ally (LBGTQIA) community. For more information or to inquire about the next SAFE Zone Project training, contact the Counseling Center at 270-745-3159.

Self Defense Program: The Rape Aggression Defense Systems (R.A.D.) is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive course that begins with awareness prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a Martial Arts program. Our courses are taught by nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors and provide each student with a workbook/ reference manual. This manual outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for reference and continuous personal growth, and is the key to our free lifetime return and practice policy for R.A.D. graduates. This R.A.D. policy allows graduates the chance to take the class free of charge at any R.A.D. training location. The course is primarily designed for individuals who identify as female; however, anyone interested in self-defense techniques is encouraged to contact the instructor through University Police 270-745-2548.

Sexual Assault Prevention Month – Western Kentucky University recognizes Sexual Assault Prevention Month each April, in conjunction with the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A committee of WKU representatives and nonprofit organizations plan activities to raise awareness for prevention in Bowling Green, educating individuals on sexual violence and promoting resources for those who have experienced sexual assault or sexual misconduct. Annual events include an awareness kick-off and proclamation, Healthy Days, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Facebook Live Q&A, Clothesline Project displays, and Take Back the Night. Additional information is available at https://www.wku.edu/heretohelp/sapm/

Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Education and Prevention– The Counseling Center, The Office of Student Conduct and the Title IX Coordinator work in partnership to educate the campus community on the interpersonal violence and discrimination, including sexual misconduct, relationship violence, harassment, hazing, and stalking. Trained staff of these offices provide programs and presentations to student, faculty and staff groups on prevention strategies, bystander intervention, reporting violence or discrimination, as well as handling disclosures of interpersonal violence/harassment. Additionally, Western Kentucky University offers HAVEN, an online program addressing sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and harassment, to all incoming students, informing them of their rights, resources, options, and university policies. For additional information, including a list of individuals to contact for programs or assistance, visit: https://www.wku.edu/handbook/reportingsa.php

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