Crime Prevention Unit
/Crime Prevention Safety Tip
From: Corporal Sherri Luke Date: 02/26/2007
Subject: Spring Break Safety Source: Crime PreventionUnit
Travel Plan
As an extra security measure the Florida A&M University Department of Public Safety encourages students to file a Rattler Travel Plan before leaving campus for the spring break. Once completed e-mail or fax one copy to the FAMU Department of Public Safety (850) 561-2615 and one copy to your destination. Notify a responsible person at your destination to contact the FAMU Department of Public Safety if you do not arrive at your destination. Housing residents can drop off their form at the office of their living facility.
Forms are available at the FAMU Department of Public Safety Parking Services and all residential facilities. In addition forms can be obtained from any FAMU Department of Public Safety Patrol Officer. E-mails should be sent to
Before you head out, find out as much as you can about the area where you'll be. You can check it out by doing an Internet search or contacting the local law enforcement agency.
Find out if there is someone on staff that could walk you to your room or to your car at night.
Make travel arraignment with a reputable company, making sure to check the area where you will be staying.
Stay in a hotel that has good security such as key cards for the doors, deadbolts and/or security chains or bars and a peephole in the door. Get a travel alarm to place under the door. It will keep someone from opening the door, even if they have a key and it will sound an alarm if they try.
Stick with trusted friends, because there really is safety in numbers.
Carry your camera and map in your purse when visiting other places. Walking with a map and camera exposed lets others know that you are a tourist.
The "Please Clean up Room" sign tells everyone passing by, "Hey I'm not here, come take my stuff." Call for housekeeping. Use the "Do Not Disturb" sign to fool intruders into thinking that your empty room is occupied.
Thieves hang out at airports ready to take luggage, purses, laptop computers and carry on bags. Don't let these things out of your sight. Often thieves work in pairs near the security x-ray machine. One will distract you or hold up the line after you've put your belongings on the x-ray conveyor belt, while his buddy is at the other end taking your stuff. Don't put your things on the conveyor until it is your turn to walk through.
If you stop at an airport restaurant, bar or café and set your bag down, put your foot through the strap. That way it won't be taken without you knowing. Also, you'll remember to take it with you when you trip over it as you leave.
Get a room on the 3rd through the 5th floor. This is high enough to discourage robbers from the outside, yet close enough to the ground if there is a hotel fire.
Don't have your name and address highly visible on your luggage, unless you really want to be stalked.
If you have to ask for directions, ask women with children or families. Ask them if they could tell you where is the ______? Tell them you're on your way to meet your husband, brother, dad, drill sergeant or boss to be safe.
Don't leave magazines with your address on the airplane. If you are done with the magazine either throw it away or tear off your address. It's not a good idea to let people know where you live and that you are away.
Bring your cell phone or rent one, and put the local emergency numbers on speed dial.
Pay attention to the people around you when you are out. You can check to see if someone is following you by looking at the reflections in store windows while you pretend to be window shopping.
Check out area around your car as you walk up to it. If there is a van parked on one side of your car get in on the other side.
When carrying a purse or wallets, only place three or four one-dollar bills placed inside. Credit cards, currency, driver's license, and keys should be carried in a coat picket or concealed, possibly in an inside zipped pocket. Other possible options include special security belts and stash pouches are available for this purpose.
Florida A&M University Department of Public Safety
2400 Wahnish Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
PH: (850) 599-3256 FAX (850) 561-2615
Travel Plan
Personal Information
Last Name:______First Name:______Middle:______
Address: ______
City, State: ______Zip Code: ______
Home Phone: ( ____ ) ____ - _____
Work Phone: ( ____ ) ____ - _____
Cell Phone: ( ____ ) ____ - _____
E-mail Address: ______Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy): ______
Travel Information
Destination: ______
Address: ______
City, State: ______Country: ______Zip Code: ______
Contact: ______
Departure Date: ______Departure time: ______
Arrival Date: ______Arrival time: ______
Transportation and route you plan to take: ______
Will you be traveling by car? Yes No
Make: ______Model: ______Year: ______
Color: ______Tag No.: ______State: ______
Will you be traveling by train/bus/air? Yes No
Train/ Bus/ Airline number: ______
Medical problems, medications, or other special needs (optional): ______
______
______
Emergency contact:
Name: ______Phone: (____ ) ____ - _____
Address: ______
City, State: ______Zip Code: ______
Anyone having information regarding criminal activity on campus is asked to call the Florida A&M University Department of Public Safety
(850-599-3256)