Published: May 25, 2009 01:55 am      

In case of emergency ...

Text alerts latest WVU move to promote safety

Within a week, West Virginia University sent out two separate WVU Alerts by text message and e-mail concerning armed robberies on and near campus.

The first alert was sent in mid-April warning that a suspect with a knife demanded a wallet from a student near Lincoln Hall. The next was sent later that month, cautioning students that a strong-armed robbery occurred near the physical plant.

“The alerts are designed to be a rapid notification system to inform citizens in the event of an emergency situation that places the community in danger,” said Ricky Jackson, assistant director for University Police.

WVU text alerts are the newest addition to the university’s efforts to reduce crime and give out reports quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency. They are meant to be the first warning to send out critical information. The text alerts allow urgent news to be sent directly to the cell phone of those who sign up for the service.

“We keep the texts short and sweet to tell you what to do,” Jackson said. Alerts are also sent by e-mail to all students and faculty with a university e-mail account. Campus police immediately post the alerts on the WVU information screens located at the Mountainlair and Health Sciences, and all the PRT stations.

According to Jackson, University Police use information coming through the 911 system to warn students of events happening in Morgantown. Alerts are divided into three categories: emergency, crime and weather alerts. Emergency alerts consist of warnings of imminent danger to health or safety. WVU senior P.J. Stanko said the alerts are effective when they are sent out promptly when the event occurs.

He said he sometimes does not receive alert text messages until hours after the event occurs, but said this may be due to different cell phone service providers. By going to the WVU Web site, concerned individuals may sign up to be sent timely information about occurrences around Morgantown. Students are allowed to sponsor one other person who does not attend the university to receive the text and e-mail alerts, such as a parent. The program is voluntary but encouraged.

“We’d like to get as many people as we can to sign up,” Jackson said.

The campus police also encourage people to go to the Web site to read definitions of the terms used in the alerts. Jackson said feedback through the Web site is always appreciated for suggestions on how to improve the system.

WVU junior Andrew Lang said the university has done an effective job at taking measures to keep students safe. Bus services, the presence of police and sufficient lighting in the downtown areas help, Lang said.

Stanko said that the “Blue” emergency towers located at various places around campus are another measure the university has taken for safety. These towers have buttons that students can push to connect to university police in case of an emergency.

Lang said he often walks home at night without worry, but avoids areas such as the rail trail and behind the Tower dorms because they are more dangerous than other areas. Stanko said he has noticed an increase in the amount of police presence around town, especially during potential high crime hours late at night.

“I feel safe when I’m out alone at night, but I try to use the buddy system when I go anywhere because I would rather be safe than sorry,” Stanko said.

The University Police Department lists ways to keep safe on its Web site, http://police.wvu.edu/, with tips and advice to help students avoid threatening situations. The Web site also has information about safety on campus concerning drugs and alcohol, sexual assault, pedestrian safety and residential security. The WVU emergency response plan is also available on the site.

University Police offer the following safety tips:

• When traveling on foot or in a car, pay attention to your surroundings. If you sense something is wrong, leave the area immediately.

• When traveling on foot, travel in numbers of two, three or in large groups.

• When walking alone, avoid isolated areas, shortcuts and deserted parking lots.

• If you see someone suspicious or feel you are being followed, go to a populated area or well-lit area or activate one of the Blue Tower emergency phones on campus. Don’t be afraid to call the police if you suspect you are being followed.

• If you are a victim of a robbery, make a mental note of the description of the suspect. If a vehicle is involved, try to get the license plate number (if safe to do so), call the police and report the incident as quickly as possible. Quick reporting and a good description may give police the information they need to quickly apprehend the suspect.