Heading to a classroom or office in our downtown campus provides all kinds of interesting yet maybe uncomfortable or even unsafe sights in this large metropolitan area that is Houston. Several UHD police and local law enforcement officers and first responders raised awareness on safety resources and issues that may affect the UHD community during the Sept. 20 safety conference.
Locate emergency callboxes. In case of emergencies indoors or outdoors, you may call for help by using the emergency call boxes. The indoor emergency call boxes are yellow and accessible on elevators and inside the buildings on campus. Outside, such as in a parking lot or garages, the emergency call boxes shine a blue light.
Locate trauma kits to save a life in emergencies. For UHD safety management student Yemalia Peña, the safety conference was helpful. Peña also praised the booth which demonstrated how to access and use trauma kits and how to help people experiencing cardiac arrest by using an automated external defibrillator. Prior to being a student worker for Emergency Mangement, Peña did not know how to use AED or trauma kits. I’m glad [the safety conference] helps other students learn about the AEDs and trauma kits and how to access them and work them,” Pena said.
Have police escort you at night to other buildings. Police escorts are also available to get the UHD students, faculty and staff to
campus destinations. “If you ever need to get from this building to another building, to your car, or you parked far from the library, you can ask the police department for an escort,” campus Officer C. Williams said providing examples of cases where police escorts may be helpful.
Motor assistance is offered. Motorist assistance is also offered free of charge when your car needs a jumpstart or other assistance.
METRO riders, use safety MPD Connect app. Prior to getting a car, Peñ used to commute to campus by METRO. Therefore, she said the tips provided by a METRO security officer during the conference are very applicable.
“We have so many students that get on the METRO,” Pena said. “It’s really important for them to know what’s available for them and what kind of resources they have when they feel unsafe.” One of the tips encouraged Gators to get the MPD Connect app to provide feedback, call METRO PD, and receive motorist assistance, and learn about METRO’s Care Unit to address homelessness.
Other tips include paying attention to surroundings by limiting phone usage and wearing crossbody bags for those needing to carry belongings.
Use student Q card to pay for fare not cash or credit. For students specifically, the METRO security officer emphasized student discounted Q Cards for saving money but also to prevent students from being seen “taking money out.”
Attend self-defense and other safety training on campus. On campus, you may also take free classes to learn self-defense techniques. Sports & Fitness will hold self-defense training on Nov. 2 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Power Studio (WSC-303) at the Wellness and Success Center. UHDPD also offers women classes on R.A.D. self-defense, active shooter trainings, and more. To see announcements on upcoming trainings by UHDPD, visit the UHDPD’s training page.
