Police: Take steps to stay safe

University police are reminding students and others of basic steps they can take to preserve personal safety.

More information Visit the University Police Department online for more safety tips and crime prevention hints.

For example:

• Walk with a friend whenever possible.
• Use public walkways and avoid shortcuts, especially at night. Make use of the Lightway on campus at night.
• Be aware of places along your path of travel that could conceal a criminal (shrubbery, buildings recesses, etc). Avoid or keep a distance from these areas whenever possible.
• Make sure someone knows when you leave and when to expect you back.
• Learn the location of emergency phones along your travel path. The blue light above them identifies all exterior emergency phones.
• If you think someone is following you, cross the street. Head for a well-populated and well-lit area at night.

Police also suggest taking advantage of SAFEwalk and SAFEride programs available on campus. Information: 262-5000. Women may want to consider taking a self-defense course like of Chimera. Information: 263-5702.

In an incident reported 7:48 p.m. Tuesday, a male 19-year-old UW–Madison student was robbed from behind at knifepoint just north of the Water Sciences and Engineering Lab, 660 N. Park St., close to the lakefront.

The victim was stabbed once in the abdomen, and the suspect fled on foot westbound along the lakeshore path. The victim was robbed of his portable CD player and $50 in cash.

The victim underwent surgery for his injury at UW Hospital and Clinics. He is currently in good condition.

University and local police officers searched a large area, but a suspect has not yet been taken into custody. The suspect was described as a male black 6’2″ with a muscular build, dressed in black or dark-colored clothing. The suspect was not wearing a hat. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the University Police, 262-2957, or Crimestoppers, 262-TIPS.