The Case Western Reserve University Police Department would like to extend a hearty welcome back to all our returning students, especially to the class of 2019. While having the place to ourselves all summer was nice, it does get a little quiet around here with no students around. So it’s time for us to say goodbye to abundant parking and first pick at the Starbucks pastry tray and get ready to do what we do, which is make your experience here as safe and secure as possible. So let’s get started.

The first six weeks of college are sometimes called the “Red Zone,” as university students experience higher levels of crime and other issues during this period.

Some tips:

– Have the CWRU PD emergency number, 216-368-3333, programmed into your cell phone and use it if you need it, 24 hours a day. If you need non-emergency assistance, call 216-368-3300. This is also a 24/7 number you can call for directions, tips on the best pizza or anything in between. Even if you don’t need help directly but you see something on campus you think the police need to know about, please call. You are now part of the larger CWRU community, so if you see something, say something.

– When moving around the area at night, use the shuttle bus system, Safe Ride vans (saferide@case.edu or 216-368-3000) or walk with friends. Try and stick to well-lit and well-travelled routes when possible.

– Many of our start-of-the-year issues involve alcohol and marijuana. More on both in later columns, but in general, remember marijuana is illegal in Ohio and hard liquor or large quantities of beer will catch up to you, possibly sooner than you think. It is all fun and games until the stomach pump comes out. If you are feeling a bit stressed out by it all, contact the University Counseling Center at 216-368-5872 and schedule an appointment to speak in confidence with a university counselor.

– More tips later. Welcome back, call us if you need us and let’s look out for each other.
On the Beat is a weekly safety column written by Sergeant Jeffrey Daberko of CWRU PD. I welcome questions, suggestions and gripes/groans/moans/complaints about campus life at policecolumn@case.edu.