Risk Reduction

At Brookdale we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our students and employees. This includes providing all members of the Brookdale community with the knowledge, tools and support they need to protect themselves and others.

Below are some additional tips and resources for students, employees and community members visiting a Brookdale campus.

Sexual Misconduct and Assault

While you can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of being assaulted:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Try to avoid isolated areas.
• Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the best place to be.
• Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
• Don’t allow yourself to be isolated with someone you do not trust or someone you don’t know.
• Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings.

If someone is pressuring you and you need to get out of an uncomfortable situation:

• Remember that being in this situation is not your fault.
• Don’t feel obligated to do anything you do not want to do.
• Have a code word with your friends or family so that you can call them and communicate your discomfort without the person you are with knowing.
• Try to think of an escape route. How would you get out of the room? Where are the doors and windows?

Public Safety and Crime Prevention

• The best weapon against attack is preparedness. An attacker usually expects a passive victim, so it helps to walk at a steady pace, look confident and know where you are going.
• Try to avoid going out at night alone. When possible, walk with another person or in group. If walking alone, be even more alert to your surroundings.
• Walk near the curb and avoid walkways that pass close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places where someone may hide. Avoid shortcuts and stay in well-lit areas.
• Do not accept rides from strangers. If a car approaches and you are threatened, scream and run in a different direction opposite that of the car. The driver will have to turn around to pursue you.
• Maintain a secure grip on your purse. Avoid carrying large amounts of money or wearing expensive jewelry.
• Avoid working in or leaving classrooms and meeting rooms alone at night. Walk to the parking lot with another person.
• Avoid overloading your arms, which renders you defenseless. Be prepared to drop bundles and run.
• Consider wearing clothing that would not impede your ability to run quickly.
• If you fear danger, scream loudly or blow a whistle. Don’t be afraid to be afraid. Raising a commotion in an uneasy situation may prevent an attack.
• Carrying a defense implement, such as an umbrella or a spray can, should be considered with caution and should be used only to stop an attack in order to get away.
• Avoid telephone conversations while walking alone especially during the hours of darkness.

Going to Your Car

• Avoid walking through or next to wooded areas or bushes whenever possible.
• Always have your car keys ready.
• Always approach your car dead center from the front or rear, never from the side. This allows you complete visibility on both sides (driver and passenger) and also allows detection of anyone hiding or lurking there.
• Carry a pocket flashlight or penlight at all times. Before getting into the car, look in the back seat and on the rear floor of the vehicle. Check the cars adjacent to you to assure that no one is hiding or waiting for you.
• Upon getting in the vehicle, lock all doors at once. Start the engine immediately.
• Should anyone try to break into the vehicle while you’re in it, press down firmly on the horn and keep it pressed down to attract as much attention as possible. Make every attempt to drive away.
• Whenever possible, have someone accompany you to your vehicle, then drive the person to his/her car.

When Driving

• Travel on busy, well lit streets. Keep windows rolled up and doors locked.
• Do not leave your wallet or purse in view. Put it in the glove compartment or on the floor opposite you.
• Keep your car in gear at all traffic lights and stop signs. If your safety is threatened, hold down on the horn and drive away.
• When stopped behind another vehicle, make sure you can see the rear wheels of the vehicle touch the roadway. Never drive any closer. This will allow room to drive away if danger approaches.
• If you have reason to believe that another vehicle is following you, do not stop. Drive to the nearest police station or open business. Write down the license number and description of the vehicle.
• Park only in well lit areas and look for loiterers before leaving your vehicle.
• Lock your vehicle and lock any valuables in the trunk or out of view to discourage thieves.
• Don’t hitchhike, and don’t pick up hitchhikers.

See Something, Say Something

You have the power to protect yourself and your fellow Brookdalians by being observant on campus. Keep an eye open for suspicious persons, questionable actions, dangerous conditions or crimes, and report it to the on-campus Sheriff’s Office (732-224-2222) or a college official quickly.

If an individual is involved, try to observe person’s height, weight, age, complexion, dress, speech, movement and anything unusual. Identify two or more notable characteristics, and try to compare their physical proportions and age with someone you know.

If a vehicle is involved, write down the color, make and license number.

Contact Information for Campus Emergencies

• On the Lincroft campus, dial 911 or call the on-campus Sheriff’s Office emergency number at 732-224-2222. You can simply dial 2222 from any college phone line. There are also white Emergency push button call towers located across the Lincroft campus and at the Wall regional location, each of which is identified by a blue light. Their locations can be found on the campus map. Operate by pressing the large red button on the tower. This will activate emergency notification to on-campus Sheriff’s Officers, who will respond whether you say anything or not.
• To report a crime or emergency or non-emergency at Brookdale at Wall, call Security at 6001 or, from outside the College phone system, 732-224-2222.