Rising crime levels call for constant vigilance
At the NWU, the safety of our students and staff, whether on or off campus, is a top priority for us. That is why we held a virtual Safety and Community Summit on 10 and 11 June 2021.
The office of the vice-chancellor, the Student Life office and Protection Services organised the summit to increase safety awareness and empower student leaders and house parents to deal with safety issues.
Various stakeholders contributed, such as the South African Police Service’s Crime Investigation Services and Mooirivier Beskerming, a private security company in Potchefstroom.
Protection Services was also involved as it plays a crucial role in monitoring and investigating issues concerning safety or crime on campus.
The organisers of the summit, the Student Life team led by director Dr Corrie Rheeder, say the summit enabled internal and external stakeholders to network and collaborate. It also showed how easily crimes are committed because criminals pass themselves off as ordinary citizens.
Knowing this, residence and house committee members, and the NWU community at large, are less likely to be taken in by opportunists with bad intentions.
Click on the buttons below for the contact detail of Student Counselling and Development, and of Protection Services on the three campuses.
Dr Corrie Rheeder led the Student Life team who helped organise the safety summit.
Students walk around campus and surrounding areas at all hours of the day and night – some walk to and from bars, restaurants and shops, without thinking it may be too dangerous.
STAY SAFE
Summit looks at ways to
TIPS ON ONLINE FRAUD AWARENESS
HOW TO STAY SAFE
5 SAFETY RULES WHEN USING ATMS
Don’t send emails that contain personal information such as your card number or expiry date.
Change your passwords frequently.
Install a spam blocker on your system – fraudsters often attempt to acquire credit card details through bogus emails.
Never allow any websites or merchants to have your personal and banking details.
Don’t disclose personal information such as passwords and pin numbers and do not save them on your desktop.
Do not use internet cafes or unsecure terminals for banking and never leave your computer or laptop unattended.
Request your bank to send your statements by email only and close your unused accounts.
Remember that banks will never ask you to confirm confidential information over the phone.
Store personal and financial documentation safely and when you want to destroy hard copies, either shred or burn them.
Only make purchases on reputable websites.
Daya Moodley, a forensic specialist from the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, shared some fraud awareness tips during the Safety and Community Summit. We have also added a few other useful tips.
Tips on
ONLINE FRAUD AWARENESS
How to
STAY SAFE
Wherever you are, stay safety conscious by following these general tips:
Avoid going out alone at night and when you do, stick to well-lit areas and avoid isolated areas. You should also consider carrying pepper spray.
When running or jogging, do so in familiar areas.
Avoid areas with shrubs and bushes as people can easily hide there.
Do not drink and drive. Excessive drinking impairs your ability to make good decisions and may cause you to act recklessly.
Always stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Do not allow technology such as headphones or earphones to make you unaware of your surroundings.
When out, never leave your drinks unattended.
Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.
Be careful of using bathrooms or staircases in isolated areas.
5 safety rules when using
ATMs
- Try to use ATMs during the day, but if you have to use them at night, ask someone to accompany you and choose well-lit ATMs.
- Always carefully follow the instructions on the ATM screen.
- Be aware of people loitering around ATMs – always be aware of your surroundings.
- Never force your card into the slot if you experience initial difficulty, as it may have been tampered with.
- If your card is swallowed by the ATM, do not leave the ATM before you have cancelled your card.
TIPS ON SAFETY
It is important to remember that a safe campus is everyone’s responsibility and in everyone’s interests. Together, we are safer and stronger.
on and off campus
MAHIKENG CAMPUS
Building B6/ Health Care Centre Building
018 389 2592
Protection Services: 018 389 2277/ 018 389 2167
POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS
11 Hoffmann Street, Building F18 – 018 299 2933
Thuso: 19 Jooste Street, Building E14 – 018 299 1777
Protection Services: 018 299 2211
VANDERBIJLPARK CAMPUS
Building 13, Split-level 3, Office 331
016 910 3195/ 082 815 9781
Protection Services: 016 910 3339
Criminals have been known to present themselves as ordinary, non-threatening citizens, often causing our staff and students to drop their guard and fall victim to various crimes and scams, whether on the street or in cyber space.
Click on the buttons to read more.