Published: April 24, 2019
Students studying in the Leeds School of Business

With finals right around the corner, here are some safety tips and reminders to keep in mind.

Personal safety tips

Please keep these personal safety tips in mind, especially at night:

  • Use the buddy system.
  • CU NightRide offers free nighttime rides to CU students. To request a ride, download the TapRide app or call 303-492-7233 (or B-SAFE from a campus phone).
  • If you ever feel unsafe or you are in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
  • If you see or hear something concerning, don’t ignore it. Review information about how you can be an effective bystander and look out for other members of the community.
  • Home safety precautions: Close and lock doors and windows to help prevent burglaries and assaults, and be conscientious of any strangers trying to enter residence halls or apartment buildings.

Theft prevention safety tips

The CU Boulder Police Department offers the following safety tips to prevent your electronic devices from being stolen:

  • Always keep your residence or office locked when empty. That includes when leaving for lunch or using the restroom.
  • In common areas, such as dining facilities, libraries or the University Memorial Center, never leave laptops, mobile phones or other valuable items unattended.
  • Record serial numbers of desktop computers, laptops and mobile phones. If these items are recovered, it is easier to return them to you.
  • Many Apple devices and PC laptops that are running Windows 10 have a tracking service built in. But if you have an older laptop, we recommend installing a third-party tracking software.

Tips for preventing bike theft

As with most college campuses, bike thefts are the leading crime at CU Boulder. To help prevent this from happening to you, follow these safety tips from the CU Boulder Police Department:

  • Make it hard to steal: In the vast majority of bicycle thefts, the bicycles were either unlocked, improperly locked or locked with inadequate locking devices such as lightweight cables or chains.
  • Register your bike: You can register your bike for free online. Registering discourages theft and aids in identification should your bike get stolen. In addition, any personalization on your bike (stickers, markings, etc.) should be documented and kept. All of this information should be stored and saved along with purchase receipts, manufacturer’s information and photographs of the bicycle.
  • Use a U-lock: You should always carry a secure lock whenever you plan to leave your bicycle unattended. The U-lock style of locks has proven to be most effective, but, like all locks, they can be defeated. You should always exercise care in where and how you lock your bike. Always lock your bicycle through its frame and front tire to an approved bicycle parking rack. After you have registered your bike, you can get a free U-lock from the Environmental Center by trading in your used cable lock at one of the two bike stations on campus. 
  • Report the theft: If your bicycle is stolen on campus, you should report the crime immediately to CUPD. Reporting it quickly and providing the police with descriptive information such as the serial number and your registration number—if you registered with the university—increases the chance of recovery. To report the theft of a bicycle, fill out the online reporting form or contact CUPD at 303-492-6666. If you happen to witness a bike theft, dial 911 immediately and inform the dispatcher where you are and what is happening.