A 2021 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed found that 28 percent of students feel not too safe or not at all safe walking around their campus at night, indicating that walking at night can be a concern for many.
According to Kevin Hawkins, a patrol sergeant of the Oregon State University Department of Public Safety, Corvallis is a relatively safe town. Even so, he notes that taking various actions to get home safely at night can be beneficial.
Here are some measures he recommended taking to stay safe while walking at night.
Be aware of your surroundings
Hawkins said that it is important to “be aware of your surroundings, no matter what time of day it is.”
Part of that, Hawkins emphasized, involves putting down devices and distractions and paying attention to where you are going.
“Most of the time, we’re walking across the street on our cell phones. So a big risk is not looking where you’re going and stepping into the traffic or running into one of the robots on campus,” Hawkins said.
He noted that being aware was especially important in areas that are not well-lit and while crossing the street, and emphasized crossing at crosswalks and being
Call for help or support if needed
Hawkins recommended that if a student felt unsafe while on campus, they could call the DPS line at 541-737-3010. DPS officers provide safety escorts to students and employees on campus if they feel unsafe. He also noted that there are blue phones across campus that students can hit if they feel unsafe, and phones that are available to use at residence halls and in academic buildings.
Installing the Rave Guardian app was also advised by Hawkins. According to the Rave Guardian app’s website, the app aims to enable “OSU students and staff to quickly access public safety services on and off-campus.”
The app provides alerts about incidents and emergencies on campus, the ability to create virtual escorts, find location-specific public safety information and make emergency calls, among other information.
When walking off campus, Hawkins mentioned that calling 911 was always an option if someone was in an unsafe situation.
Additionally, Hawkins encouraged students to use ASOSU SafeRide, a student-fee-funded organization, which provides free rides within the cities of Corvallis and Philomath to OSU students. SafeRide operates every day of the week during the academic year from 8:30 P.M. to 1 A.M. Rides can be requested through the SafeRide App or by calling 541-737-5000.
Be prepared for the weather
Hawkins suggested that during the winter months and other times of the year with an increased frequency
Adverse weather conditions- such as fog, rain and ice,
it is particularly important to be aware of what is going on. Fog and rain can make visibility difficult and ice can make it more challenging to walk outside.
He also noted that dressing warmly for the cold is critical- especially in the case that something goes wrong.
“Especially if you get lost, you want to make sure you’re warm because you don’t want to you don’t want to get frostbite or have some other medical things going on, because you’re already panicking that you don’t know where you are, alone, being cold and wet,” Hawkins said.
Walk with friends
Many have heard the adage “there is safety in numbers.” Hawkins seconded the message and expressed that walking with friends is a good option to stay safe.
For those who partake in alcohol or other substances, Hawkins urged against drinking while driving. He advised students to use Uber or Lyft, use another mode of transportation or get a ride with a sober friend.
For those walking home while under the influence, Hawkins recommends having a sober friend to walk with them.
“When you have partaken in substances and are having a good time, you’re under the influence. So you don’t have that quick decision-making type of deals- those fine motor skills, the depth perception,” Hawkins said.
“So have somebody who you know is sober to walk with you at night and to make sure you get home safe.”
Contact someone you trust so they know where you are
Hawkins encouraged those walking at night to let trusted individuals know where they are going. Before walking somewhere, letting a friend know where you are going and checking in with them when you get to your destination can be helpful.
“You have your circle of friends to let them know, ‘Hey, I’m going here’ And then they know. They basically know how long you takes to get there,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins also noted that you could also call your friends and put your friends on speakerphone so they know what is going on, and said that doing so and talking loudly can also deter others from bothering you.
Be prepared
Hawkins said that phones are a multi-tool that serve many functions that aid in getting home safely- such as flashlights, maps, the ability to contact friends, family and help, and urges individuals to keep them charged and easily accessible while walking.
He also encouraged people to know the route they will take home by previewing the route they will take to where they are going before leaving.
Consider safety training
While Hawkins advises on avoiding getting into an altercation, if one gets into an unsafe interaction, Hawkins recommends recording the encounter if possible and getting out of the situation as quickly as one can and reporting the incident.
To prepare for a potential incident, Hawkins suggested that learning self-defence and other skills can be useful.
For those seeking an avenue to learn self-defence skills, the DPS periodically offers free Rape Aggression Defense Courses. RAD courses teach self-defense skills and techniques and risk reduction to students through a multi-day course. More information about the scheduling of future RAD courses can be found on the DPS website.
For students interested in carrying pepper spray or other devices to keep themselves safe, Hawkins recommends learning university rules and regulations around the carrying and use of different items. He also urges individuals to learn how to use them before bringing them with them.
“You can get all the things, but if you’re not comfortable with the tools you have, then they just become a hindrance,” Hawkins said.
