University Campus or Military Base Safety

1. Walk and travel in groups of four, including parking lots, especially at nights/evening classes.

2. Walk around your vehicle, checking inside, before getting into your car.

3. Be careful of getting into cabs, or taxis, especially alone and female. Some unsavory characters may impersonate licensed, background-checked, legitimate taxi companies.

4. Wear clothing, shoes, watches and jewelry that look very inexpensive, and keep $50 cash, in case of a mugging.

5. Try your hardest not to be taken from your location, against your will.

6. Don't look like a tourist. If you're military, try your best to avoid looking like you're in the military, especially during travel between duty stations, or on leave.

7. Have assertive mannerisms.

8. If you can, avoid dark alleyways.

9. Notice people behind or around you, especially on public transport.

10. Don't wear long ponytails, or earphones for music, if walking or running outside. Criminals often grab long ponytails and attempt a headlock position from behind, with female victims. They tend to look for small, female victims with long ponytails, who aren't aware of their surroundings, or listening to music with headphones or ear buds at bus stops.

11. If female, consider getting a membership to a women's-only gym, e.g. Curves. That's safer than walking or running outside.

12. Let everyone around you know where you are going and only meet up with friends, study partners, acquaintances or first dates in well-lit, public places, such as a cafe, art gallery or gym.

13. Ask questions about strange license plates, and keep track of the normal vehicles' license plates and descriptions that are parked in your residential area.

14. If you're breaking up or distancing yourself from someone, don't do it in person. Let them know over the phone.

15. If ordering any beverages, only ask for ones that are unopened, e.g. a bottle of Perrier, and open it yourself. This prevents roofies from being slipped into your beverage. Never leave your beverage unattended.

16. Deadbolt and chain your bedroom door and window(s).

17. Install exterior, doorway, wireless security cameras.

18. Install bright, doorway entrance and window entrance lights in your residential area/campus bedroom.

19. Avoid all people who drink alcohol excessively, are known to frequently break rules, or lie to others or those who do any recreational drugs. Never let them be alone with you or drive you anywhere.

20. Avoid meeting friends in places where drinking alcohol or drug use/dealing is more common, e.g. dance clubs or seedy bars. Locations with a lot of bail bonds offices, dance clubs or pawn shops are often unsafe.

Suggest meeting your friends in other places, only during daylight hours, that are healthier, safer and more wholesome. Look for places where young children and families are frequently welcomed, and go there instead.

21. Find only a rental apartment or condo near your university or military base with gated, locked/controlled access and 24/7, armed, private security guards. Check it at night to see how well-lit and safe it looks during that time.

Don't rent there if you see graffiti, drug paraphernalia, drug users, or unsavory characters lurking around the property, especially at night. You should routinely see at least two security guards, everyday, near your controlled access, well-lit, rental apartment/condo.

Check online for registered sex offenders in that area, and ask the neighbors, in person, if there are any safety issues or loud parties there, prior to renting the condo/apartment, especially overseas.

22. In Denver Metro, if female, consider the Women's College at DU, or CTU in Westminster. Those two have very safe campuses. Rent near the Women's College at DU is typically at least $1,500/two bedroom, two bathroom apartment in a safer neighborhood. Near CTU in Westminster, a safer apartment is typically at least $1,300 for a two bedroom, two bathroom.

In other states, or countries, look for all-female universities, with safe-looking, well-lit parking garages or parking lots. Don't rent with mixed gender, or co-ed roommates. Always try to avoid having roommates/housemates, if at all possible. They may not pay rent on time, or invite their criminal friends over to destroy the property, endangering your well-being, and leaving you in a financial bind.

Run a background check and require drug testing, plus a current, valid driver's license with a clean driving record if you do rent a condo, house or apartment with a roommate, even if they're a friend/shipmate/someone with a Top Secret clearance.

There are professional background checking and drug-testing companies in most cities. If they have any criminal misdemeanors or felonies on their record, avoid renting with or to them.

23. In and around the Top Secret U.S. military bases and commands, remember, there are international drug cartels, neonazis, skinheads, white supremacists, gang members, rapists, addicts and even terrorists. Never just trust people, even if they're allowed access to Top Secret, U.S. military data and bases. Some U.S. military chaplains and military, or VA healthcare providers or subcontractors are criminals or sex offenders also.

Some unsavory characters, veterans and/or non-veterans, even those who are in a position of trust, or are healthcare providers, will even specifically prey upon, scam, abuse, sexually assault, impersonate and/or criminally stalk military veterans, especially the disabled, female ones, and their families.