Crime Prevention
The Florida Atlantic University Police Department's principle is that we would much rather prevent crimes from occurring than react to them after the fact. A primary vehicle for accomplishing this goal is the University's comprehensive crime prevention program. The Crime Prevention Programs of the Florida Atlantic University Police Department are based upon the dual concepts of eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunities whenever possible, and encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.
As of February 2015, the Crime Prevention component launched a community project called “Owls Night out with the Five-O” with the goal of raising awareness and building community relations. This night of empowerment is de-signed to foster a working relationship with our faculty, staff and students. It was a collaborative effort with the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Boca Raton Police and Fire Departments, Metro Taxi, SmartWater CSI, Rape Aggression Defense, FAU Housing and Residential Education and the American Council for Criminal Justice.
This component is also responsible for going to local police academies and the college of criminal justice as well as career fairs to recruit potential suitors for law enforcement positions. We have actively engaged with our very own students and have hired several FAU students that have now become police officers with our agency as well as those who have moved on to other local, state and federal agencies.
Part of the responsibilities as a crime prevention officer is to present various topics to educate the public. We are available to speak to your group or organization at a time and location of your choosing. Topics that can be presented include but are not limited to: alcohol awareness, drug awareness, theft prevention, general duties of the police, personal safety, and dating/domestic violence.
If you or your group is interested in having a representative of the University Police speak to you or your organization, please complete a Crime Prevention Presentation Request. If you'd prefer to submit manually, you can use the Crime Prevention Presentation Request form. Once completed, please submit the request via fax, e-mail, or U.S. Mail no less than thirty (30) days prior to scheduled day(s).
Listed below are some commonly presented programs, however, the Florida Atlantic University Police Department can modify or create a specific program to fit your needs.
1 to 1.5 hours
Alcohol use is prevalent in many college and university settings. High-risk behaviors associated with alcohol abuse and misuse impact all community members. This program addresses the dangers associated with excessive drinking and brings awareness to the hazards of driving while impaired.
1 hour
One of the most frightening situations that can occur on a college campus is dealing with an active shooter. An active shooter is a person who is actively threatening lives or prepared to threaten lives in a populated area. This program focuses on how to deal with a potential active shooter situation. The course gives information on past occurrences, warning signs, and what to do if a shooting occurs in your immediate area. For more information on active shooter procedures, click here.
1 hour
Every fifteen seconds, a woman is battered in the United States by her husband, boyfriend, or live-in partner. This course focuses on the warning signs of domestic violence, relevant to Florida statistics and available area resources.
Length Varies
The theft of unsecured property is one of the biggest crimes seen on college campuses. Operation ID is a theft prevention program offered free of charge by the University Police. This program involves keeping records of your personal property's serial number and a detailed description of the item, as well as applying a theft-deterrent adhesive tag and or engraving your item with a unique, definable characteristic. Taking action in this way can help aid the recovery and return of lost or stolen items.
1 hour
No one is immune to crime; however, there is a way to greatly reduce your risk through proactive actions. The foundation of this course focuses on risk reduction and risk awareness. This general seminar covers many safety topics, including sexual assault and rape prevention. Depending on the group composition, some practical self-defense moves may be incorporated.
45 to 60 minutes
One in five women report being forced to have sexual intercourse at some point in their lives. This class offers information on rape awareness and prevention, and provides students with information regarding counseling availability. Discussions of awareness and avoidance are covered as well.
45 to 60 minutes
Fun, laid back group settings are a great time to meet new people and enjoy some of the independence that comes with college life; however, there are some dangers associated with large gatherings of people you may not know. This program addresses many of these potential dangers about college parties and gives participant safety tips for enjoying social settings in a college atmosphere.
45 to 60 minutes
Spring Breakers tend to flock to popular destinations. Unfortunately, these areas become target-rich environments for criminals. This program is aimed at prevention by highlighting awareness to the potential dangers of spring break travel. The course will cover travel and personal safety, situational awareness, and will touch on alcohol and drug awareness.
45 to 60 minutes
Along with the legal ramifications, abuse of illegal drugs can cause serious health dangers. This program discusses the dangers of drug abuse, as well as the abuse of prescription medication. The course also highlights the misconceptions students may have concerning drug use.
45 to 60 minutes
The community interacts with police officers every day. Sometimes, through miscommunication, these interactions can have a negative community impact. This program will explain police officers' roles in many common situations (traffic stops, DUI stops, crime reports, etc.) and how to minimize potential negativity through effective communication. This program welcomes questions from the audience, as audience interactions are an essential part of the program.
1 hour
Nearly two million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence in the last year. This session covers information regarding the escalating problems of violence in the workplace, and characteristics of potentially violent individuals. Prevention and avoidance strategies will also be addressed.
Length Varies
Our Department has teamed up with Human Resources to present a general information seminar about the Florida Atlantic University Police Department and the crimes that occur on campus. We offer suggestions on how to reduce crime in the new employees' work area and provide resources offered by our Department.