Rushing, juggling multiple priorities, and hoping to cross items off a To Do list: We've all been there. But when you're on a public street, unintended consequences can occur. Become street smart to keep yourself and your valuables safe.

“Statistics show that UAB has a relatively safe campus,” UAB Police Chief Daryl Green said. “But until our campus is completely crime-free, there is work to do, and we will continue our aggressive efforts to collaborate with our public safety partners and seek new technologies and practices to maintain a safe environment.”

Wherever you are, don't make yourself an easy target. Follow these tips for avoiding unfortunate incidents in the first place.

 1.     Perform multiple activities at once 

Don’t do two things at once. Whether that’s texting and driving—or even walking while listening to headphones—anything that distracts you from the road ahead and your surroundings puts you at risk for a variety of unintended consequences. 

Learn more about commuting safely around campus. If you do happen to find yourself in a fender bender, here are some tips.

 2.     Make your valuables an easy target  

Don’t bait thieves. Secure your car, bike, and scooter with high-quality locks. 

Learn more about how to protect your car and its contents, as well as your personal property.

Here’s a bonus for cyclists: Cyclists who register their bikes with UAB Transportation will receive a free U-lock and bike helmet. Registering your bike can help authorities locate and return stolen bikes or identify owners of ones that are impounded.

Note for scooter users: Don’t bring micromobility devices inside campus buildings. They feature batteries that can malfunction and cause significant safety concerns. Lock them up securely outside. Read the policy.

 3.     Meet strangers in a remote spot to trade goods 

Don’t meet strangers just anywhere to buy, sell, or exchange goods. If you plan to meet up for an exchange, such as for goods traded on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, be sure to use UAB's designated spot, called the Trade Safe Zone, in the UAB Police and Public Safety Department parking lot at 1117 14th Street South. The zone has video surveillance, a UAB Help Phone, and is well lit. The parking spot is designated with a sign and bright green paint on the asphalt. This location is easy and convenient to use.

 4.     Second guess if you need help 

Don’t hesitate to reach out. If you need roadside assistance on campus, contact MARS. If you need a Safety Escort after hours, use the TransLoc app or call 205-934-3514 to request a ride on campus. 

UAB’s campus police—with 100-plus police officers, a fleet of patrols, more than 490 Help Phones located throughout campus, and roughly 3,700 video cameras in buildings, parking decks and outdoor areas—is on-hand around the clock. Add their number into your phone for easy access: 205-934-4434. If you have an emergency, contact them at 205-934-3515 or call 911.

In addition, be sure to download the campus safety app, Rave Guardian, which is a simple way to report suspicious activity or contact UAB Police. U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security data show that UAB continues to compare favorably in campus safety statistics to urban and non-urban campuses alike—from UCLA and Stanford to Duke, Emory, Rice, and Vanderbilt.