Campus Safety Tips for College Students

AA-Campus Safety Tips for College StudentsAs college students settle into their dorm rooms anticipating the fun and excitement that comes with the start of a new academic year, there’s one thing they may not be anticipating—campus crime.

According to the Boston University Police Department (BUPD), there’s a spike in crime on university campuses during the first two months of the school year. The most common crime on campus is theft, particularly of items students left unattended, says Scott Paré, deputy director of public safety and BUPD deputy chief. However, more serious offenses also occur.

From January 2015 to August 25, 2015, BU police received reports of 17 simple assaults, four aggravated assaults, three indecent assaults, one rape, seven burglaries, one robbery, and 209 larcenies, including 13 car break-ins and 39 bike thefts, Paré notes, adding that the crime rate at BU is very low.

If you’re a college student, worrying about being the victim of a crime is probably not keeping you awake at night. However, you should still be prepared just in case.

Here are four tips to help you stay safe on campus:

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Cyber-bullying: How to Protect Your Child

cyberbully“It’s just part of growing up”.

“Kids need to learn to stick up for themselves”.

“People are too sensitive these days”.

These are some of the common excuses that people make for bullying. What most people don’t realize is that bullying, like everything else, has evolved with technology. Twenty years ago, bullying primarily took place at school. Kids could escape at home, and find other groups of friends outside of school. Today, this escape no longer exists. Bullies can harass their victims 24/7 through the internet.

As adults, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and our children about the severity of online bullying. We have created a guide to help you protect your children from being victims or perpetrators of cyber-bullying. Read more

Sleeping-bags, S’mores, and Securing Your Campsite

campingCamping is a dying art. Most kids today have never slept in a tent in their backyard, let alone in the middle of the woods. So before the weather gets to cold, consider taking the family on a weekend camping trip. Camping is a fun, inexpensive way to get away from it all. If you haven’t experienced it, you will be amazed how unplugging from technology and cooking a good meal over a fire pit can bring a family together.

When well prepared, you will be surprised how fun and comfortable the great outdoors can be. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or you don’t know a tarp from a tent, follow these tips to make your trip a safe and memorable experience. Read more

Websites To Help You Find Your Stolen Items

Websites To Help You Find Your Stolen ItemsA home burglary occurs once every 15 seconds in the United States and results in an average dollar loss of about $1,600. Sometimes, even though you’ve done everything right to protect your family and your home—including installing and using a home security system—the bad guys win. If you’re the victim of a burglary, you’re probably trying to figure out how you can get your stuff back.

Well, believe it or not there are some websites that can help you hunt down your items. Here are four of them to help you in your search:

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Police Body Cameras Proposed in Boston

Police_lights_webPolice in Boston may soon be sporting new technology. A proposal from the citizen group, Boston Police Camera Action Team, would require all on-duty officers to wear a video camera on their shirt collars. This proposal comes after major cities across the country have participated in pilot programs to test the effectiveness of body cameras. These programs have emerged in response to public outcry over police-involved shootings nationwide.

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Protecting Your Home During Vacation

Screen Shot 2015-08-18 at 12.35.49According to the FBI, here in the United States, a home burglary takes place every 14.6 seconds.

It’s easy to say it won’t happen to you, until it does. In fact, it happened to my family three years ago. Money, jewelry and precious memories stolen, and it all happened while on vacation, when the house was supposed to be empty.

Here are some simple steps to help protect your home while you’re away.

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Search and Seizure: Rhode Island Senate Puts Limit on Police Powers

What kind of identification can police ask for, and under what circumstances? In many states, law enforcement powers when it comes to search and seizure—always informed by the need for reliable identity—are cause for citizen/police tensions.

Rhode Island is no exception, and according to the Providence Journal article, is taking action: The senate recently gave the OK to a bill which would see police powers both narrowed in scope and limited in reach. What does this mean for long-term citizen safety and security?

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How to Stay Safe Living Alone

Living by yourself has its benefits. You can watch what you want on television and you don’t have to worry about a roommate pouring the last drop of milk on his cereal or leaving a pile of dirty dishes in the sink.

However, living alone also poses some safety risks. Here are six simple ways to help you protect yourself if you live alone.

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When Lightning Strikes, Think Twice!

lightning_webThere are two types of people: those who enjoy watching lightning, and those who hide under their bed until the storm has passed. Whichever type you are, it is important to take precautions before the storm to keep you and your property safe.

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5 Summer Safety Tips for the Beach

American Alarm - 5 Summer Safety Tips for the BeachIf you’re like the rest of us here on the East Coast, when you think summer, you think of the beach. You pack up your bathing suits, flip flops, sunscreen, your favorite iDevice–or maybe a real hard copy book–and take off for a day or a week at the inviting waters of the Atlantic, or the tranquil, crystal clear waters of one of New England’s many lakes.

Of course, before you leave, the first thing you should do is test your home security system, ensure it’s working properly, and alert your provider if you’re planning to be away for more than a day. In addition, here are some tips to ensure you and your family stay healthy and safe while you’re frolicking at the water’s edge.

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