With back-to-school activities soon to be in full swing, West Virginia Universitys Department of Public Safety is offering tips for students, faculty and staff on how to have a safe and enjoyable year.

The University Police Department is extremely proactive, and our main focus is crime prevention and protection of life and property,said Bob Roberts, DPS chief.

DPS employs 50 full-time armed police officers, and the WVU campus is patrolled 24 hours a day. There are 37 Blue Tower Emergency Phones located throughout the Downtown and Evansdale Campuses.

The WVU campus is considered extremely safe by most standards, but no college campus is ever crime free,Roberts said.We ask that everybody do their part to help keep our school safe and secure.

Roberts offers the following tips:

• Always lock your office, apartment, residence hall doors and all ground floor windows. Secure your vehicle and always secure all property. Never leave books, book bags or any item of value unprotectedeven for a minute.

• Dont walk or jog alone at night. There is safety in numbers. Statistics show that your chances of being assaulted are reduced by up to 65 percent if you travel in groups of two or more.

• Take personal defense classes. The DPS Training Division offers free personal defense classes. These training programs provide options that can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim. The training teaches physical techniques to resist and escape an attacker. The self defense courses are free to all WVU students, faculty and staff. For information call 293-COPS and ask for the Training Division.

• Consider purchasing and learning how to use aerosol type pepper spray. Pepper spray may be carried for personal protection and used for self-defense. You have a right to protect yourself with pepper spray, but you must be able to justify its use. Improper use could result in criminal charges or a civil suit.

• Report any criminal act immediately. If you are ever a victim or witness to any suspicious event, try to remember a physical description of those involved and how they were dressed. If a vehicle was involved, attempt to get a license number. Try to note the direction of travel when last seen. Remember, only do this if doing so will not put you in further jeopardy or risk of harm. Report this information to police as soon as possible by activating a Blue Tower Emergency Phone or by calling 293-COPS (293-2677) on campus, or 911 off campus.

We are always here to help you, and we wish everyone a safe and secure year,Roberts said.