Staying Safe on Campus

The following information are tips to avoid theft and increase personal safety. If you have been a victim of theft or any crime please contact the SIU Police immediately at (618) 453-3771 to make a report. Commonly stolen items are cell phones, tablets, computers, gaming systems, textbooks, credit cards, and wallets.

Remember...

DO NOT prop open the door to your room.

DO NOT let strangers enter the residence hall. 

If someone knocks on your door, find out who it is before you answer.

LOCK your door when you leave, are asleep, alone even it if is only for a few minutes. 

Keep the bathroom door closed and locked in suite style residence halls.

LOCK your windows and keep your curtains or blinds closed. 

NEVER give out a neighbor’s personal information. 

DO NOT leave messages on your door concerning your whereabouts.

DO NOT attach your name or address to your keys. Keep your room keys separate from your car keys. 

Report any lost or stolen items IMMEDIATELY.

DO NOT leave property unattended. 

Mark your valuables with a number or identification unique to you using an engraving pen. 

Record the SERIAL NUMBERS of your property and retain the list in a safe place. Use this form to record this information. 

Open a savings, checking, or Debit Dawg account instead of keeping cash in your room. 

Keep your credit cards, bills, receipts, checkbooks, and important documents and numbers out of sight and secure.

Be aware of email and phone scams, if it seems too good to be true - it probably is.

Identity Theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Identity Theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It’s a serious crime that can affect your finances, credit history, and reputation. Restoring your identity can take time, money, and patience to resolve. This site provides information about Identity Theft, ways to guard against Identity Theft, and what to do if you become a victim of Identity Theft. 

It Can Happen to You

What do they steal?

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License Number
• Bank Account Numbers
• Credit Card Numbers
• Passwords
• Cell Phones

How do they get it?

• Purses or wallets
• Go through your mail
• Go through your garbage
• Buy or steal information from stores, restaurants, hotels, or banks
• Insecure internet sites
• Scam phone calls or emails

What do they do with it?

• Open new bank accounts or credit cards in your name
• Charge purchases to your credit line
• Obtain loans: personal, auto, home, etc.
• Change mailing addresses for existing accounts and use them without your knowledge
• Empty your bank account
• Ruin your credit

Guards Against Identity Theft

The following tips will help to keep you and your information safe from Identity Thieves.

• Minimize the amount of identification information that you carry, including credit cards.
• Limit the amount of credit cards you apply for. Don't apply for credit cards for free stuff.
• Put passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts and phone accounts, but do not use obvious passwords.
• Don't carry your social security card with you. Only give your social security number when it is absolutely necessary.
• Pay attention to billing cycles and follow up with companies if your bills don't arrive on time.
• Shred documents containing personal information.
• Never provide personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you are talking with.
• Notify credit bureaus immediately if you detect errors on your credit reports.
• Order your credit report every year from the three major credit reporting agencies and check them for accuracy
  • Equifax
    • (800) 685-1111
  • Experian
    • (800) 397-3742
  • Trans Union
    • (800) 916-8800
• Do not leave personal mail, identification, applications, or other items in plain view in your room or car. 

Victims of Identity Theft

If you think you have been a victim of Identity Theft:

• Notify your credit card companies, banks, and any companies directly involved IMMEDIATELY.
• Notify the police as soon as possible to file a report.
• Call the three national credit reporting agencies immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security Number.
  • Equifax
    • (800) 685-1111
  • Experian
    • (888) 397-3742
  • Trans Union
    • (800) 916-8800
  • Social Security Administration
    • (800) 269-0271

• Credit Card Customer Service Numbers
  • American Express
    • Personal
      • (800) 528-4800
    • Gold
      • (800) 327-2177
    • Platinum
      • (800) 525-3355
    • Optima
      • (800) 635-5955
  • Discover
    • (800) 347-2683
  • Master Card
    • (800) 688-7747
  • Visa
    • (800) 847-2911

In an effort to make SIU a safer place for pedestrians at night, The Brightway Path was created as a pedestrian path with enhanced lighting. All faculty, staff, students, and guests are encouraged to use this path when walking after dark. Bright yellow signs are posted near the sidewalks that are a part of the Brightway Path.

Take the Path

As of 01/01/2025 we have updated our guidelines for Safe Walk Escorts and will only provide Safe Walk Escorts from points to and from on SIU Campus. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  You will need to find Alternative Transportation (See below).

The Department of Public Safety in conjunction with Web Communications has developed a web site to assist students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to walk to various locations on campus with an escort. The new SIU Saluki Safe Walk service is available online at safewalk.siu.edu. When a walk is requested, a confirmation email will be sent from the DPS dispatcher on duty. Saluki Patrol officers will meet the person requesting the walk at the designated start location and time.

Saluki Safe Walk services are available:

• and provided between the hours of: 8pm and 6am
• Outside of these hours, please use the Saluki Express or Saluki Night Shuttle
• Depending upon the availability of Saluki Patrol
• To residential addresses not to businesses

The Saluki Safe Walk must occur from:

• Main campus to a location on main campus

The Saluki Safe Walk program will operate during the fall and spring semesters.

The authorized geographical area includes residences:

• South of Walnut Street
• West of Lewis Lane
• North of Pleasant Hill Road
• East of Oakland Avenue

Alternative Transportation

RMTD Saluki Express Night Safety-Microtransit Program

RMTD Saluki Express Night Safety-Microtransit
Do you live in Carbondale, Herrin, Carterville or Marion? RMTD’s Saluki Express Night Safety-Microtransit program allows you to schedule a ride by using your smartphone app, Rides MTD.

Fall and Spring semester service hours are available between the hours of 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You can also request a ride during those hours by calling 618-715-0770. Microtransit hours during Break Route and Summer schedule times are between the hours of 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 p.m. – midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Emergency Assistance is only a push of a button away. Emergency call boxes are labeled "Emergency" and are mounted on red poles topped with blue strobe lights. The blue lights activate when a call is made. In an emergency, individuals should press and release the HELP button to automatically reach the Department of Public Safety via 9-1-1. Yellow emergency call boxes are also mounted near the front entrances of residential buildings.

There are 23 emergency call boxes located throughout campus and in parking lots. These are in addition to the call boxes located at the front entrances to the residence halls.

Emergency Call Boxes can be found on the BRIGHTWAY PATH map. 

Storm Preparedness

Are you prepared? SIU IS. 

SIU recently installed 8 emergency pods. The pods are solar powered, wireless loudspeakers that can also function as a PA system. These pods are placed around campus so a person will hear the alarms sounding while outside. The pods function as a storm siren and can disseminate information to campus in the event of an emergency. The system currently contains 13 prerecorded messages that will alert the campus to a threat or a dangerous situation. The system has the capabilities of broadcasting live messages to individual pods, a combination of pods, or all 8 pods simultaneously. 

Weather can change and knowing the difference between a watch and a warning can help you prepare. 

A Watch is when weather conditions are right for dangerous weather.

A Warning is when the dangerous weather is threatening the area.

In the Event...

Of a tornado watch or warning, the following actions should be taken:

At home

• Listen to your battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television station
• Go to your pre-identified safe zone, in an interior room and away from windows

At work or school

• Seek shelter in the basement or an interior room of a nearby, sturdy building.
• Remain in your safe zone or shelter until the storm has passed. Stay alert for new storms that may follow.

 To learn more information about weather hazards in our area, visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency or the National Weather Service