Staying Safe on Campus

Theft is a crime of opportunity that can be reduced through awareness and prevention. Whether you’re at home or on campus, in a car or walking, taking a few precautions will lower your risk of becoming a victim.

General Tips

• The majority of robbers are serial criminals who will continue their actions until they are arrested. If you see someone or something suspicious, contact NOVA POLICE immediately.
• Keep expensive items out of sight. Avoid showing your wallet or wearing expensive jewelry when you know you’ll be out walking. Don’t leave your phone or purse on the seat of your car.

At Home

• Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home.
• If you notice someone loitering outside your building or residence and it seems suspicious, report them to the police immediately.

In Your Car

• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car. Take everything with you, even if you’re leaving your car for a few minutes. If you must leave something of value in your vehicle, lock it in the trunk (and make sure no one’s watching as you do so!).
• Keep your car organized and free of clutter. You may know that duffel bag just contains gym clothes, but a robber only sees an overstuffed bag sitting on your back seat. The messier your car is, the more tempting it looks.
• Whenever possible, park in secure lots. If you must park on the street, pick highly trafficked areas.

On Campus

• Find a buddy. Whenever possible, don’t walk alone. The larger the group, the less chance you’ll be targeted.
• When walking alone, skip using headphones or taking phone calls. Robbers often target people they notice are distracted or unaware of their surroundings.
• Don’t walk alone at night. Use the LiveSafe App and share your location with family/friends to track it in real time.
• Stay aware of your surroundings. Take note of where you are and who’s around. Look behind you. Trust your instincts–if your route seems unsafe, don’t take it.
• Avoid unlit or deserted areas. They make you uncomfortable for a reason. Even if that alley is your favorite shortcut in daylight, at night, opt for the long way home, where there are streetlights and other people

If you’re the victim of a robbery/theft:

• Remain calm.
• Don’t resist.
• Don’t argue with the robber.
• Go to a safe location or the location of the nearest police station and report the crime.
• Provide as many details as possible.

Bikes

• Always lock your bike to a secure rack. Bike racks are designed to prevent bicycle theft. Telephone poles are not. If there’s no room at a bike rack, find another one nearby. NOVA College has many bicycle racks conveniently located throughout campus.
• Invest in a U-bolt lock. Bicycles secured with chain or cable locks are easier targets.
• If possible, avoid securing your bicycle in isolated areas. The more people around, the less likely your bike is to be stolen. If you plan to leave your bicycle overnight, make sure you pick a secure, well-lit, and highly visible location.

Laptops

Laptops are among the most commonly taken items when left unattended. At NOVA, most of our community carry a laptop with them. It is essential to take precautions when transporting your laptops around campus and elsewhere.

If your laptop is stolen, report it immediately to NOVA Police or your local police department.

5 Tips for Reducing Your Risk of Laptop Theft

• Never leave your laptop unattended
  Assume no place is safe, including campus centers or libraries. Even if you’re only stepping away for a few seconds, always take your laptop and belongings with you.
• Lock your office and other workspaces when not occupied.
  Even if you’re only leaving for a short time, locking your door ensures your laptop is inaccessible.
• Register your laptop with the manufacturer.
  Keep a hard copy of your registration in the same place you keep personal files. If your laptop is stolen or lost, this registration information could help recover it.
• Download a laptop recovery software.
  Recovery software can vary in features and cost, so do some research to find the best option for your needs. Apple offers recovery software for Macs as well as iPads, iPhones, iPods, and AirPods.

1. Remain calm and do not resist. Assure the robber you will cooperate and take no action that may jeopardize your safety. Don’t make any quick or unexpected movements.
2. Follow the robber’s directions, but do not offer more than what they ask for. Don’t argue. If you have to move or reach into your pockets to give the robber what they want, tell them what you are going to do and why.
3. Make mental notes of the robber’s appearance. You’ll need to describe the suspect when filing your report. Take note of their features, including race, age, height, hair and eye color, clothing, etc. Is there anything unusual about their appearance, such as scars or tattoos? If they have a weapon, make note of what it is so you can describe it later. If they come or go in a car, try to note the make, model, and license plate number.
4. Notice what the robber does so you can include it in your report. If there are two accomplices, pay attention to any conversations they have with one another. Do they use each other's names or nicknames? Do they mention any locations? Try to remember what they touch during the robbery so that the police can check those areas for fingerprints.
5. After the robbery, go immediately to a safe location, then report the crime. Your personal safety is your top priority. Make sure you feel secure before you call 911 or NOVA Police at 703.764.5000. If you’re in an isolated area, move to an area with people and ask someone to stay with you while you wait for help. If you opt to remain at the crime scene, try not to touch anything. If there were any witnesses, ask them to remain with you until the officers arrive. If they must leave, write down their name, address and telephone number.

Many joggers think that because they do not carry large sums of money while jogging, they are unlikely to be targeted for an attack. Unfortunately, that’s not true.

When running on campus, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself. It’s easy to become so focused on your run that you stop paying attention to what’s happening around you. When you’re preoccupied, you make yourself an easy target for an attacker or thief.

Follow our tips for ensuring that your jogs are rewarding and safe:

1. Recruit a friend.

   Runners in pairs or groups are less appealing targets.

2. Jog in a familiar area but vary your routes.

   Changing the route you take will prevent someone from noting your schedule or movements.

3. Avoid jogging in secluded areas or at night.

   If you do run after dark, do so in well-lit, populated areas and consider buying reflective running gear or a runner’s light so you’re highly visible to traffic.

4. Do not run with your phone or other valuables in sight.
5. Face oncoming traffic.
6. Carry your ID.

   If you suspect you’re being followed, call the police immediately and find a safe place to wait for them to arrive.

7. Wear bright colored clothing to improve your visibility.
8. Carry a whistle.

   Or a shrill alarm to summon help if needed.

9. Jog in open spaces.

   Away from bushes or alcoves where someone could hide.

10. Take a key with you when you jog.

    Don’t leave your house unlocked.

Scammers (thieves trying to trick victims) are targeting college students. Scammers posing as agents of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), travel companies, apartment leasing companies, and immigration agencies – such as the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Embassies abroad are contacting students and demanding money and personal information.

Phone Calls and Emails

• Never provide personal information or money to anyone who has contacted you by phone, email, or social media claiming you have violated your immigration status or owe taxes and must transfer money through Western Union (or other companies), or purchase gift cards, to rectify your immigration status. In many cases, callers will use a technique to mask their actual caller ID with another government-listed phone number or a private institution's number, such as a bank. If you are unsure who is calling, tell the caller you are busy and write down their name and phone number. If the caller refuses, hang up. Government agencies do not request payment over the phone.

Beware of Tax Scams!

• Do not fall victim to scammers who call and say they are with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)! More and more phone scams have been happening in which people will call and threaten you with police arrest or deportation if you do not pay them.

Please be advised, even if you do owe taxes…

• The IRS will never call and demand immediate payment over the phone.
• The IRS will never threaten or intimidate you, demand payment with a prepaid debit card, or ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone.
• The IRS will never threaten to call the police or immigration agents if you don’t pay.

If you or a fellow student receives a call like this, report it to NOVA Police or Local Police and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration online or by calling 800.366.4484. Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission online.

Including electric and non-electric bikes, scooters, and skateboards.

If you choose to ride a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or other micro-mobility device on campus, it is essential to follow safety practices to protect yourself and those around you.

• Always obey all road traffic rules—just like vehicles, scooters, bicycles, and skateboards are required to stop at stop signs.
• Be mindful of sharing the road with cars, pedestrians, and fellow riders, and avoid distractions such as cellphone use, headphones, or tandem riding.
• Staying focused and aware ensures that you arrive at your destination safely while contributing to a safer campus for everyone

How to Properly Secure Bikes on Bike Racks

• Ideally, use two locks to secure both wheels and the frame to the rack.
• Your rear wheel is typically more valuable, so if you only have one lock, use a U-lock to lock the frame and rear wheel to the rack.

How to Properly Secure Scooters on Bike Racks

The best locations on your scooter for locking are:

• Around the stem
• Through the folding mechanism
• Through the carrying handle (look out for easily removed screws!)

Safety when getting around campus at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is a key concern, as it is for any large educational institution. Given the size and layout of NOVA's campuses, ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff is crucial, especially when walking or traveling between classes, parking lots, and other campus areas. Here’s why it’s important to prioritize safety while moving around:

1. Minimizing Personal Risk

   On any college campus, students and staff can face risks such as theft, harassment, or even physical harm, especially during late hours or when isolated in less-populated areas. Moving around campus safely helps mitigate these risks by keeping people in more populated, well-lit areas and avoiding shortcuts or poorly lit paths that can increase vulnerability.

2. Safe Walking Routes

   NOVA’s campuses are often spread out, and walking between buildings or parking lots can involve navigating large areas with varying levels of visibility. Ensuring that students and staff use safe walking routes (such as well-lit paths or high-traffic areas) reduces the chances of encountering potentially dangerous situations, especially after dark or during low-traffic periods.

3. Nighttime Safety

   Many students attend evening or night classes at NOVA, and nighttime security is a major concern. Safe walking paths, parking areas near well-lit building entrances, and a sense of community vigilance are essential during these hours. Having security measures such as Campus Police patrols, Police escort service to and from buildings or cars, SafeWalk services on the LiveSafe app, and accessible transportation options can significantly improve campus safety for those navigating after hours.

4. Emergency Accessibility

   In case of emergencies, being able to get to and from places quickly and safely is crucial. Accessible routes that connect students to campus security, medical services, and evacuation points are essential to ensuring a timely response in critical situations, whether a medical emergency, fire, or other crisis.

5. Increased Awareness

   When people are consciously aware of their surroundings while walking on campus, it helps create a safer environment overall. Simple habits like walking with others, putting your phone away when moving between buildings, and avoiding isolated areas can significantly reduce risk. Encouraging a culture of awareness, where students and staff look out for one another, also contributes to overall campus safety.

6. Support from Campus Police & Security

   The presence of on-campus police officers and security personnel adds an additional layer of safety for people traveling across campus. Ensuring that students and staff know how to contact campus Police (e.g., through the LiveSafe app).

7. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

   NOVA takes steps to enhance campus safety through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). This includes things like strategically placed lighting, security cameras, and open sightlines to minimize hidden or secluded areas. Students and staff moving through such environments are more likely to feel safer and deter potential criminal activity.

8. Community Responsibility

   Safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone on campus has a role to play in ensuring a secure environment. Encouraging people to report suspicious activity, assist others, or be aware of what’s happening around them helps create a safer atmosphere on campus.

Strategies to Ensure Safety:

• Plan your route: Always be aware of where you’re headed, especially in the evenings or on larger campuses.
• Use the LiveSafe app: Always have the app ready to report any suspicious activity or request a police escort if you feel unsafe.
• Travel with a buddy: Walking with friends or classmates, especially at night, is one of the simplest ways to increase personal safety.
• Utilize campus security resources: Take advantage of any on-campus shuttle services or ride programs offered by NOVA to avoid walking long distances after dark.
• Stay aware of your surroundings: Keep your phone in your pocket or bag and stay alert when walking around, particularly when crossing streets or moving through less busy parts of campus.

Ultimately, safety isn’t just about avoiding danger—it’s also about creating a community atmosphere where people feel supported, informed, and confident while getting around the campus. Whether it's using technology, campus resources, or simply being mindful, there are many strategies to enhance safety at NOVA.

Active Violence Incidents (AVIs) unfold quickly, and early actions can save lives. NOVA recommends the Avoid, Deny, Defend response strategy.

For full guidance, detailed steps, and training resources, visit the AVI Response page.

“If You See Something, Say Something”

Staying alert and reporting suspicious behavior helps keep everyone at Northern Virginia Community College safe. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it.

What to Report

Suspicious People

• Loitering in areas without a clear purpose
• Trying to access restricted areas
• Wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather (e.g., heavy coat in summer)
• Acting nervous, watching people closely, or avoiding eye contact
• Taking photos or videos of buildings, entrances, or security systems

Suspicious Activities

• Attempting to enter locked doors or secured areas
• Abandoning a vehicle or bag and quickly walking away
• Unusual or unauthorized deliveries
• Repeated visits to the same location without reason

Suspicious Items

• Unattended bags, boxes, or backpacks in public or high-traffic areas
• Items with wires, strange odors, or ticking sounds
• Packages left near entrances, trash bins, or under vehicles

How to Report

Call NOVA Police Immediately

• 703.764.5000 (24/7)
• Use any blue emergency phone located on campus

Provide Key Details

• Location (be specific)
• What you saw and why it’s suspicious
• Who was involved (appearance, clothing, actions)
• When it happened (date/time)

Do Not:

• Touch or move suspicious items
• Confront the individual yourself
• Post about it on social media before informing authorities

Remember: Your Awareness Makes a Difference

• Reporting is not overreacting — it’s being responsible.
• It’s better to report and be wrong than stay silent and risk harm.

Your quick action could prevent a serious situation.

1. Obey All Posted Speed Limits
2. Watch for Pedestrians
   • Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
   • Be especially cautious near buildings, parking lots, and bus stops.
3. Avoid Distractions
   • No texting or using your phone while driving.
   • Focus on your surroundings—students can appear suddenly between cars or buses.
4. Use Designated Parking Areas
   • Park only in marked spaces with a valid permit.
   • Do not block fire lanes, sidewalks, or other vehicles.
5. Follow One-Way and Directional Signs
   • Some campus roads are one-way. Pay attention to directional signs to avoid accidents.
6. Slow Down Near Buses
   • Be cautious when driving near buses—students often cross without warning.
7. Use Turn Signals
   • Always signal before turning or changing lanes, especially in busy campus lots.
8. Be Patient
   • Peak times can cause delays. Plan ahead and allow extra time for parking.

Pedestrian Safety Tips on Campus

1. Use Crosswalks and Sidewalks
   • Cross streets only at marked crosswalks.
2. Stay Alert – Avoid Distractions
   • Don’t walk while texting or wearing headphones. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
3. Obey Traffic Signals
   • Wait for walk signals where available. Don’t assume vehicles will stop for you.
4. Make Yourself Visible
   • Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or during poor weather.
5. Avoid Walking Behind Vehicles
   • Be cautious around parked cars or backing vehicles—they may not see you.
6. Walk in Well-Lit Areas
   • Stick to lit pathways at night. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or wooded areas.
7. Use Designated Paths

   Do not walk in vehicle lanes or through parking lots without walkways.

General Safety Reminders

• Report Unsafe Conditions: Notify campus security of hazards such as broken lights, damaged walkways, or reckless driving.
• Emergency Contacts: Know how to reach NOVA Police: 703.764.5000
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Whether driving or walking, stay alert and cautious at all times.

What is LiveSafe?

LiveSafe is NOVA’s official mobile safety app, designed to help you stay safe, informed, and connected with campus security. It's free to download and easy to use!

Stay Safe with Real-Time Reporting

Types of reports you can submit:

• Suspicious behavior
• Theft
• Harassment
• Mental health concerns
• Facility issues (e.g., broken lights)

Connect Directly with NOVA Police

• Emergency? Call 911 or tap NOVA Police 703.764.5000 via “Emergency Options.”
• Text message

How to Get Started

1. Download the LiveSafe App from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Register with your NOVA email address.
3. Select “Northern Virginia Community College” as your organization.

What It Is

• NOVA Police offers police/parking escorts to help students, faculty, and staff feel safe when walking to or from their car, or between locations on campus.

When It’s Available

• Escorts are available 24 hours a day for certain escort requests (such as walking to/from your car parked on controlled NOVA property).

Where It Covers

• The escorts are provided for areas on NOVA campuses that are controlled property, which includes NOVA parking lots, lots or garages owned/operated by NOVA.
• The service is not limited to a particular campus; all NOVA campuses have a Police Department and offer escort services.

Why It’s Useful

• Enhances personal safety, especially at times or places when fewer people are around.
• Helps reduce the risk of thefts, assaults, or unsafe incidents when walking alone.
• Provides peace of mind – you don’t have to worry about getting to your car or moving around campus alone.

Important Notes & Safety Reminders

• Always stay alert while waiting for your escort; avoid distractions like headphones or phones.
• If you feel unsafe waiting in a remote or poorly lit location, let the dispatcher know — they can help coordinate a safer meeting point.
• Be aware that response times may vary depending on staffing and the number of other calls. Request early if possible.
• If there is an immediate threat or it’s an emergency, call 911.

How to Request Help

• Call the NOVA Police Dispatch Center at 703.764.5000 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Provide:

• Your exact location (campus, parking lot, or building nearby)
• The vehicle make/model
• The type of help you need (e.g., jump start, lockout, tow request)

Important Reminders

• Stay with your vehicle if it is safe to do so until help arrives.
• Assistance is subject to the availability of officers and current service calls.
• NOVA Police will always prioritize emergencies, but will respond to motorist assistance calls as quickly as possible.

Safety First

If you ever feel unsafe or are unsure whether you need assistance, don’t hesitate to call.
NOVA Police are here to help.