One of the many causes supported during October is safety.

Crime Prevention Month stresses to people how to be careful.

One of the most common occurrences at NIU is theft of merchandise under $300, said Sgt. Samuel-Louis Bandy, part of the University Police patrol division.

“Always lock you r room, even if you’re only leaving for a few minutes,” Bandy said. “You’ll never know who’ll walk by and turn the knob.”

Another way to prevent theft is to not have valuable equipment just laying around, DeKalb police detective Don Gladden said.

“Don’t have parties in your room, so no one will know what you have in your room,” Gladden said. “Just have close friends over.”

Students also shouldn’t lend their keys to others or have copies made. They might not be your friend later on, Bandy warned.

If students see strangers walking around on their floor who don’t belong and are not accompanied by a host, they should be reported to the community adviser.

“Don’t let anyone in through the wing door or the crash door, especially after 11 p.m.,” Bandy said. “If they don’t want to sign in, that means they don’t want anyone to know that they’re here.”

For students who live in apartments, it’s important to have renter’s insurance. They should make sure that their windows and doors are locked so others can’t push in the screen. Also, it’s important not to let in anyone you don’t know.

Another place petty theft occurs is the library.

“People will leave their books on the table and may go to the bathroom and when they come back, their books will be gone,” Bandy said. “It’s hard to get them back, because the books can be sold in many places.”

For students who use the Office of Campus Recreation, Gabel and Anderson halls lockers, valuable items should be protected with a good lock.

Bikes also are hot items. They, too, should have a good lock and a bike license, which students can get at the NIU or DeKalb police stations.

Vehicles and items inside of them also are often stolen.

“These are just simple crimes that can be prevented if people will just lock the door,” Bandy said.

If students see a crime occurring, they should use their cell phone or go to a phone and report it to police or the NIU Tipline, 753-TIPS.

“Try to remember what the person looked like,” Gladden said. “Try to get the license plate number if you see the suspect get into a car.”

Students also have to be careful when walking around campus during late hours.

“You should never be by yourself,” Gladden said. “Stay on the main roads, like Lucinda.”

There are approximately 30 call boxes around campus students can call from if they feel they are in trouble and need help, Bandy said.

“If you are not able to talk, we’ll know which call box the call was made from and we’ll send an officer there immediately,” Bandy said.

If you feel someone is following you, change directions and go to the nearest apartment where you know someone or to a store and have someone pick you up.

“In attacks, the people are generally seen beforehand,” Gladden said.

The Huskie Student Patrol also provides escorts if students feel uncomfortable walking alone from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The late-night ride service is offered to students with a valid student ID from 2 to 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and can be called at 753-2222.