<p>Very well said!</p>
<p>Of all the presentations at orientation, I think the very best one for parents was the Campus Safety/Security presentation. The presenter was Captain Brandt who is the head of the campus police. He certainly reassured me. He made himself available for questions after the presentation and was very honest and supportive of the parents.</p>
<p>One thing that may be of value to all of us, he recommended a book called “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker. I ordered it thru Amazon and it’s really inexpensive and has marvelous reviews…here is a paragraph from one of the reviews on Amazon:</p>
<p>“Gavin de Becker has produced a landmark work in the dual fields of criminal psychology and self defense. I was recommended “The Gift of Fear” by a colleague with experience in law enforcement: he claimed it was the best overall book on self preservation and personal safety he had ever read, and while it is excellent for both sexes, it is especially valuable for women. I purchased the book for a female friend on his recommendation, and I read it as well. The book is detailed, personal, practical, and poignant.”</p>
<p>The Campus itself is very safe. Almost all of the issues that occur take place off of campus. I lived on campus and occasionaly went to parties at the View and University Club or whatever that building is down the block from McDonalds and never had any problems. If you are smart you will be fine. </p>
<p>So many students have absolutely zero street sense and awareness. Friends end up splitting up at parties and wandering home by themselves, etc. and this is what causes so many problems. There was one crime report about someone getting jumped in the back of the McDonalds parking lot at 3 am while he was on his cell phone. Common sense should tell you to stay in the McDonalds on your cell phone and not wander around the back of a parking lot drunkenly shouting.</p>
<p>I didn’t speak with the head of campus police, but my mother did. He told her that almost every single crime that happens involves someone being drunk. He also said that UMD is the fifth largest city in Maryland during the school year, so the campus police is an actual precint (sp?), not just security guards. Common sense is needed. He said if you come from Newark NJ, or even a smaller city, College Park is nothing you can’t handle. If you come from the middle of nowhere, you need to learn how to lock your doors and what is ok. He also said the southeast section of College Park is the only part that is unsafe at points even if the students are being safe.
Sorry if I’m repeating things, I’m just posting what the head of campus police said.</p>
<p>CP has an awesome police force. All around campus are blue emergency boxes where you can literally just hit a button and you’re connected with the police. They also have an escort service, so if you’re out late on campus and don’t feel safe, you can contact them and have an officer walk you home.</p>
<p>CP is really concerned about keeping the kids safe, and as long as you exercise common sense, you should be fine.</p>