On-Campus, Going Off-Campus, and Off-Campus Living

No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects.

The following suggestions may reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime and increase opportunities to receive prompt assistance.

  1. Students who are traveling at night can use the Wake Safe app to have their progress tracked by friends or family and contact WFUPD and the University Shuttle with a click of a button. The Wake Safe app has Personal Safety and Crime Prevention information for all students On-Campus, Going Off-Campus, and for Off-Campus Living.
  2. Use the University Shuttle for personal safety after hours. The wait-time is less than 15-minutes.  Over 1,000 safe rides have already been used by Wake Forest students

Information currently available on the Wake Ready, Crime Prevention and Safety Tips website


No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects.

The following suggestions may reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime and increase opportunities to receive prompt assistance.

Avoid walking alone at night

Download the Wake Safe app to your cellphone

  • Use Safe Walk (a peer-to-peer tool). Invite friends and family to temporarily follow your location on a real-time map. They will see your approximate location as you walk to your destination and will know when you get there safely.

Consider not using headphones

  • While you may enjoy listening to music while running or walking, headphones limit your ability to hear what is going on in your surroundings.

Keep your doors and windows locked

Be cautious about secure areas

  • Do not let anyone follow you into a secured area without checking their ID. Let them use their own Deacon OneCard or key to enter.

Enroll in personal-safety and security programs

  • University Police frequently offer security training, such as the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course, which is available to women through the University’s course registration system.

Avoid displaying and carrying large sums of money

  • Only carry a credit card and/or Student ID card. If you must carry items like purses, wallets, backpacks or other valuables, carry items close to your body and carry wallets inside a pocket.

Avoid isolated or dark areas and stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Always travel with a charged cell phone available to call for help

If you are the victim of a robbery

  • If you are confronted, cooperate. Give the criminal the property that he/she asks for — wallet, keys, jewelry, credit cards and electronics. Your life is more valuable than possessions that can be replaced. Don’t make sudden moves or try to apprehend or fight with the criminal. Concentrate on remembering the suspect’s description and call police immediately. Your safety is most important. Do what the robber says and don’t try to negotiate. If the suspect claims he/she has a gun, knife, or other weapon in his pocket, believe them.
  • The Watch For Me NC website offers helpful advice concerning pedestrian safety.

Off-Campus Living

 Safety in Your Apartment or Single Family Home

  • Know your roommates’ security habits. You are only as safe as your roommates allow you to be.
  • Discuss a plan with a trusted neighbor to assist you in case of emergency and give them a copy of your emergency contacts.
  • ALWAYS lock your door(s) to your residence whether home or out.
  • Use a peephole to determine who is knocking before you open the door.
  • Don’t prop doors open for ANYONE (i.e. friends or delivery people).
  • Never leave your keys outside your residence, such as under a doormat or in a place accessible to a stranger.
  • If you lose your keys, ask landlord to replace or re-key your door lock(s).
  • Keep ground level windows closed & locked.
  • Keep a list of emergency numbers, such as local police and fire departments, near the phone or refrigerator.
  • Know where your emergency exits are located and plan alternative evacuation routes in case of an emergency.

Personal Safety Tips

  • Don’t walk alone, especially after dark.
  • If someone is following you on foot, cross the street, change directions, or vary your pace. Walk to the nearest well lit, public area.
  • Always keep your doors locked when driving and park in well-lit areas.
  • When moving into a new apartment, check locks on windows and have the landlord rekey all door locks.
    Always lock your doors when you are home and when you are gone. Have your keys ready before you reach your door.
  • Never leave your keys under your doormat or outside your residence where they are accessible to strangers.
  • Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Replace batteries every six months.
  • Use caution when using social media websites. Set privacy settings to friends only, don’t check into locations, and don’t share personal information.
  • Always tell someone where you are going, when you will return, and who to contact if you don’t return.
  • Always trust your instincts. They are usually on point and could save your life.
  • Post the local police, fire, and EMS department numbers in your phone and around your apartment.
  • Walk in well-lit areas and stay away from alleys, entryways, and bushes where someone could be hiding.
  • If confronted by someone, make a scene and lots of noise to draw attention to yourself and the other person.
  • Even if it seems rude, don’t hold the door open for a stranger attempting to enter the building.
  • Subscribe to campus, city, and state emergency alert systems
  • Locker Safety: Lockers are the safest place for valuables that cannot be kept on your person.  The locker is safe when secured by a lock. If you use a combination lock, please do not share your combination with others because sharing combinations also creates opportunity for theft.