JMU Public Safety Tips for Spring Break Travel!

The James Madison University Department of Police & Public Safety would like to remind you to take just a couple of minutes to properly prepare before leaving Harrisonburg for the upcoming school break.  Many of these tips are intended for students but can just as easily apply to faculty and staff as well and can be adapted by everyone for their day to day safety in any community.  

SECURE YOUR PROPERTY•    Take anything of value, especially small items, home with you.  (i.e. iPods, laptops, jewelry, etc.)
•    Lock your dorm room, private space, apartment or office when you leave for break.
•    Close and lock all windows and sliding glass doors.  Place wooden dowel in sliding glass door
      track.  (You can purchase wooden dowels at your local hardware store.)
•    If you leave your vehicle in a campus parking lot or at your apartment complex, place all
      valuables out of site, secure them in the trunk and lock your doors.  Try to leave vehicle parked
      under a streetlight.
•    If you have a bicycle, check with your hall staff to see if it is okay to leave your bicycle in your
      room over break.  If you cannot leave it in your room, secure it to a bike rack.
•    If you live off-campus, secure your bicycle in your apartment.
•    Write down all your serial numbers for your valuables, take pictures of them and store in a safe
      place.  

THE 511 SYSTEM•    What is the 511 system?
•    The 511 system is a one-stop resource for all the information you need for making your travel

      plans.  The 511 system has real-time traffic conditions, route planning and information about

      alternative ways to travel without a car.
•    You can access the 511 system from any phone (dial 511) or computer <http://www.511virginia.org> 

•    Before leaving for break, check your travel route at http://www.511virginia.org for any delays
      or major road construction projects.
•    If you are delayed, call 511 to get an alternate travel route.
•    To see if your home state is part of the 511 System, go to http://deploy511.org.
For additional public safety information visit our website at  http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/ Thank you and have a safe break!