Keeping you safe: Augusta University Police Department talks campus safety

The Augusta University Police Department works tirelessly to create a safe, secure and welcoming environment for the university community.

Some of the ways they do that are with RAVE Guardian, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), JagSafe walking routes and R.A.D training, to name a few.

RAVE Guardian

The first, RAVE Guardian, a popular app used by many organizations, works to keep you connected and provide any help or resources you might need.

The app’s tools include emergency communication to call safety officials, the ability to send tips if you see suspicious activity, the option to build a safety network of friends and family within the app and a safety timer to help you if you are alone or in an unfamiliar place.

RAVE Guardian is an invaluable tool for every member of the university community and is free in both the Apple Store and Google Play.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

The AUPD also trained their officers in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, which works to discourage crime through a set of design principles.

Similar to how buildings are designed to withstand damage from the elements and natural disasters, CPTED works to design buildings that help to prevent crime. One principle is to keep areas well lit with the right kind of lighting.

Another way is through landscape design: Cutting down bushes and hedges, removing or trimming back trees and getting rid of areas that an individual could hide in or use to their advantage, like fences and dumpsters, are all ways that landscape design can work to prevent crime.

The redesign of Laney Walker Boulevard is one example of how Augusta University implemented principles from CPTED to create a safer campus. The redesign provided speed bumps and lighted crosswalks help to keep faculty, staff and students safe as they walk around campus.

JagSafe Walking Routes

At the start of this school year, the AUPD updated ways for the university to stay safe walking from designated parking areas to places around campus.

After examining the safest walking routes to help assist faculty, staff and students as they walk from distant parking lots, the AUPD created JagSafe Walking Routes. The designated paths avoid individuals walking between buildings, behind fences or in other low visibility areas. Instead they are in high-travel areas, which allows individuals to be more visible on campus.

“While on campus we will do everything we can to keep you safe but we need your help in doing so,” said AUPD Captain Ted McNeal, “Allowing AUPD to concentrate on the high-traveled areas will help keep criminal events down. “

R.A.D. Training

The AUPD also offers ways to help you keep yourself safe.

Until the end of the year, the university police are providing four R.A.D. sessions for female students, faculty and staff as a way to give individuals more tools to help stay safe.

The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques that is dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts against various types of assault.

The AUPD encourages everyone in the university community to take an active role in their own safety and the safety of those around them.

“Safety is a shared responsibility,” said James Lyon, chief of the AUPD. “We’re primarily responsible for safety and security law enforcement services to the university campus, but there’s also responsibility on the individual to help keep themselves safe.”

With over 50 Peace Officer Standards Training (POST)-certified officers, the AUPD works tirelessly to fulfill their mission of providing excellent service to the Augusta University community and assisting the university community and AU Health.

For more information, contact the Augusta University Police Department, or call (706)721-2911 if you have an emergency.