Safety Tips

Rave Guardian App

Emergencies can also be reported by using the RAVE Guardian app from your smartphone. If you are not in a position to speak out loud without endangering yourself or others, use the RAVE Guardian app from your smartphone and text live in real time with Public Safety emergency dispatchers. Send photos of the scene with your text!

Emergency Blue Lights

There are blue light emergency phones across campus. Press the red button to prompt an emergency Holy Cross police response.

Residence Hall Safety

Never give your ID card to someone else so that they can access a residence hall. 

Never give out the combination to your room or apartment door to anyone, even friends. 

If you observe someone waiting outside of a residence hall entrance for what appears to be the first opportunity to enter the building when the door is opened, you should do two things:

• Make a note of their physical description, including clothing.
• Report this to Public Safety at 508-793-2224 or use the RAVE Guardian app to text the Public Safety dispatcher.    

Rideshare Safety

• Holy Cross has designated a Rideshare Pick-Up Parking Lot directly beside Ciampi Wellness, diagonally across from Hogan. A bus shelter will be available for students waiting for their rideshare vehicle, such as Uber or Lyft. Ciampi may be located on this map as point number 36. 
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• Request your ride from indoors when possible. Avoid lingering outside alone while looking down at your phone.
• Check your driver’s rating. Be sure that your driver has prior experience and a good rating. Cancel the ride if you are not comfortable.
• Share your trip with a trusted friend or family member. Share your whereabouts with someone other than who you’re with so they know when you make it home safely.
• Confirm the car's make and model, license plate, and driver before getting in. Be sure the information on your rideshare app about your driver matches the vehicle you get into.
• Ask the driver, "What is your name?"  Do not ask, "Is your name xx?" Avoid "yes" or "no" questions. 
• Ask the driver, "Who are you here to pick up?" Do not ask, "Are you here to pick up xx?"  Avoid "yes" or "no" questions.
• Sit in the back seat. Sitting in the front seat increases your proximity and chance of contact with the driver.
• Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts are there to protect you in the event of an accident. Buckle up.
• Keep your personal information confidential. There’s nothing wrong with conversing with your driver, just plan to leave your personal information out of the conversation.
• Never pay cash. Taking out your wallet to tip may put you at risk of theft. Uber and Lyft offer the ability to tip through their app.
• Make sure the child safety locks are disabled on the door before closing the door. This is usually a lever on the edge / side of a back passenger door near the latch.
• Know your surroundings. When you’re in an unfamiliar area, track your route on your own map to be sure the driver is taking you to the correct place.
• Locate emergency buttons within the ride-hailing apps, if available; these buttons generally send location information directly to emergency responders.
• Call 911 in an emergency.
• If you are uncomfortable speaking to 911 out loud, download the RAVE Guardian Safety app to text silently with Holy Cross Public Safety in an emergency. They can summon the appropriate emergency assistance. 

Exercise Safety

When jogging or walking, try to alternate your routes. Avoid areas that are isolated and desolate. Don’t entirely “block” your hearing awareness of your surroundings by wearing earbuds. Wear reflective material and bright colors during the event. Tell a friend, partner or coworker where you are going. Bring a friend!

Locker Room Safety

Don't let your belongings walk out while you work out! Never leave your valuables unattended or unsecured in a locker or common area.

Walking Alone

Avoid walking alone late at night. Criminals look for isolated targets. Don't let your guard down. Crimes can occur at any time of the day. Emergency blue light phones are useful, get to know their locations across campus. Download the RAVE Guardian App. 

Securing Valuables

Theft happens. Never leave your valuables unattended or unsecured.

Preventing Laptop and Cell Phone Theft

No place is safe! Never assume your devices will be safe just sitting around.

Keep a copy of the receipt of your purchase of the device and write down the serial number and store it in a safe place. In the event your device is stolen, it will be nearly impossible for the police or ITS to recover it, if they do not have the proper identifiers.

Report all missing devices to Public Safety immediately, even if you believe you simply left it somewhere and a good Samaritan picked it up. It is better to report it quickly before it can leave the campus than to wait and never see it again.  

Identity Theft

Do not share any personal or financial information with others. Watch out for scams.

Vehicle Protection

Thieves are generally seeking quick, easy opportunities to steal. Unlocked vehicles are an easy target. Keep valuable items out of plain view when parking your vehicle. Always secure your vehicle. Park in areas that are known to be well-lit at night. Scan the inside of your vehicle before getting in. Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle.

Surroundings

Eliminate the element of surprise. Pay attention to people approaching you. Protect your personal space. Set limits on how close you will let someone get. Exercise caution with strangers.

Criminals will often ask for directions or money in an attempt to invade your personal space prior to a crime. Avoid isolation. Walk along well-lit and well-traveled routes. Call campus police for a safety escort at night.

Harassment

Is someone paying too much attention? Assertively communicate that you want the behavior to stop. Set and maintain personal boundaries. Avoid being isolated with the person. Maintain a log of unwanted calls, social media communication and posts, and emails.

Reach out to Public Safety for help by calling 508-793-2224 or by using the RAVE Guardian app.

Suspicious Behavior

If it doesn’t look right or feel right, call us! Report suspicious circumstances by calling 508-793-2224 or contact us by using the RAVE Guardian app.

Remember, it is “behavior” that is “suspicious” and not people. You will be asked to explain the behavior that concerns you. You will also be asked for a description of the person exhibiting the concerning behavior so that Public Safety can respond effectively.

Officers responding to these sorts of calls are empowered to use their discretion as to whether or not the situation warrants any police interaction or investigation.

Report suspicious vehicles by describing the make, model, color, plate, and direction of travel.

Date Rape Drug Awareness

Date rape drugs are commonly used to facilitate sexual assault.

Date rape drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol are sometimes used to facilitate sexual assault when slipped into drinks. Effects range from amnesia, memory impairment, dizziness, semi-consciousness, loss of inhibitions, etc. These drugs are tasteless and odorless. Rohypnol, “roofies”, changes to blue color when it comes into contact with liquid. It is not as easily detected in dark liquors.

Think before you drink.

• Have a designated “sober” person with you when you go to parties, clubs or bars. Make a plan to periodically check up on each other.
• If one of your friends appears very intoxicated, gets sick after drinking a beverage, passes out and is difficult to awaken, seems to have difficulty breathing or is behaving in an uncharacteristic way, take steps to ensure your friend’s safety. If necessary call 911 if off campus, or 2222 if on campus for emergency medical assistance.
• Don’t drink from bottles or glasses that have been left unattended while you were away at the restroom, dance floor, etc. Discard it and buy a new one!
• Don’t exchange or share a drink with anyone.
• Don’t drink from a container that is being passed around or any open, common container such as a punch bowl. “Dosing” happens.
• If someone offers to buy you a drink, and you accept, accompany that person to the bar and witness the drink being prepared. 
• Do not drink anything with an unusual taste or appearance, like a salty taste, or unexplained residue.