Campus safety: AU Police shares what students should know

Students are encouraged to contact AU Police for any safety concerns on campus. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

By CM Wahl | News editor

Staying safe on campus has become a concern for many students around the area.

Captain Eric “Harry” Smith of the Augusta University Police Department offered several tips for students and staff to help them stay informed about the resources AU provides.

“One thing everyone on campus should do is download the Rave Guardian app to their phone,” he said.

The app can help users request a walking escort or text a dispatcher when unable to call. It also has a travel timer that determines the time to walk between two areas and notifies the police to call if users do not check in on time.

Smith said two other resources available are the Rape Aggression Defense class, a free 12-hour course that teaches lessons in active mindsets and defense, and the blue-light emergency phones around both campuses and parking decks that summon police to a location when used.

Smith added that AU police are now expanding their camera coverage on campus due to a recent federal grant, and they are hiring for their work-study program, the Jaguar Safety Patrol.

There, students can assist as “another branch of police eyes and ears on campus” by helping as walking escorts and notifying police of safety concerns.

Timberly Fernandez, a senior communication major, said situations like death of AU nursing student Laken Riley last month does raise cause for alarm.

“She did everything that she was supposed to do to be safe and she still was not safe,” she said.

Fernandez added, “I try to not to walk around on campus when it’s vacant or at night,” she said. “If I have to be on campus with either scenario, I always have a friend with me or I am with a group of people.”

According to Smith, there are JAG-safe walking routes that have been pre-mapped out by security personnel. He recommends always taking a JAG-safe path over a shortcut through unlit areas because they are patrolled frequently.

Smith said walkers should have a natural inclination to look around and make sure no one is following or lurking behind them. He recommended removing earbuds, even on a short trip, because they tend to reduce focus and awareness of surroundings. He also advised to ensure cars are locked to avoid break-ins.

“If you do see something that makes you uncomfortable,” said Smith, “call the police.”

He remarked that it is always better to be called and find out it is nothing than to not be called and find out it is something.

He also advised people to program the direct line for AU police (706-721-2911) into their phones to save time because dialing 911 will first go to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department, then to AU Police.

“A lot of times we hear,” said Smith, “especially from the Department of Homeland Security, ‘See something, say something.’ It’s not just about terrorism. It’s about every day crime prevention and safety.”

Contact CM Wahl at cwahl@augusta.edu.

This story is published in the Monday, March 11, 2024 print edition of The Bell Ringer on the front page.