Police: Be aware of surroundings for safety

The East Lansing and MSU community is safe, but can be safer if students take precautions after a night out, local police said.

Traveling in pairs and being aware of surroundings can be key to staying out of trouble, and safety can be as simple as being a good friend: never leaving someone behind and never letting someone leave a party alone, East Lansing police Capt. Kim Johnson said.

“Sometimes people leave parties alone and say, ‘I’m OK, I’m going to walk,’ and they’re too intoxicated to know where they’re at,” he said.

“Basically, take care of each other.”

The most important thing is for students to be aware of their surroundings and aware of the amount of alcohol they have consumed, Johnson said. Students also should attend parties where they know the hosts, he said.

“Know who you’re with, who you’re hanging out with,” Johnson said. “Whatever you can do to make it harder to find a victim, that’s a good thing.”

MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said students should walk assertively and confidently, and look at the people passing by on the walk home.

“Most suspects don’t want to be identified by their target,” she said. “They’re seeking someone more submissive.”

It’s best to have a plan in mind in the event of an emergency or attack using the resources available on campus, McGlothian-Taylor said.

A student who followed would be best served by walking to a place they know other people will be, she said.

If a student is walking to a vehicle, he or she should have their keys at hand and ready to go, McGlothian-Taylor said. Keys also can be used as a weapon and women should wear flats, rather than heels, in the event they need to escape quickly, she said.

Calling out “fire” also is a good way to attract attention in an emergency situation, whereas yelling “help” will scare people away, she said.

Athletic training sophomore Jill Delaney said she stays out of trouble by walking in groups, staying on campus and staying in control.

She never has had a safety issue on a night out in East Lansing, she said.

“I usually always try to walk with someone at night,” Delaney said.

“I’m always with friends and we’re almost always on campus. It’s not like we wander off campus or do anything destructive to anyone else.”