Although Idaho State University doesn’t see a lot of crime, incidents like theft, possession, underage consumption and vandalism still occur regularly on campus. On Sept. 20, students and staff received an email from Public Safety regarding a stolen vehicle, part of their “commitment to providing campus crime information, in compliance with the Federal Clery Act,” according to the email. The stolen car was located near campus within a few hours.
“It is reported that the suspect attempted to open numerous vehicles in several campus parking lots before finding a vehicle that was unlocked,” the email stated.
Although it might seem obvious, Lieutenant Travis Orme, part of the evening shift with Pocatello campus’ Public Safety, said that the best way to avoid vehicle theft is to simply lock everything.
“I would really recommend checking vehicles and making sure they’re locked,” he said. “Don’t leave your laptops on the front seat, and just secure all valuables. Keep them hidden if you’re going to leave them in your car.”
Cars aren’t the only thing being stolen on campus. Bicycles are also at risk.
Orme encourages the use of U-locks for bicycles over the common cable lock to secure bikes to racks. According to Orme, U-locks are significantly more secure.
“We don’t have a ton of crime on campus,” said Orme. “One thing I’m trying to push awareness on is bicycles. I’m really encouraging people to get U-locks instead of cable locks.”
Theft is one of the more common deviances in Pocatello, but Public Safety is here for any suspicious activity.
Idaho State University added an app to the Google Play and Apple stores called RAVE Guardian,a tool designed to communicate with “designated guardians,” or officers and dispatchers, with the click of a button.
RAVE Guardian includes an emergency 9-1-1 button and a submit-a-tip feature that allows users to send pictures directly to campus dispatch.
“The app is kind of a generalized safety app,” said Orme. “It allows you to set safety timers and to set up virtual escorts on campus. It also gives you a button to press to call public safety immediately.”
Those who don’t have the app downloaded still have access to immediate connection with dispatch, of course. The emergency line for ISU Public Safety is (208) 282-2911. For less-pertinent instances, the number is (208) 282-2515.
“If you see something weird on campus, please call us,” said Orme. “We are here to help, no matter how small it may be.”
Public Safety, among vehicle-unlocks and jumps-starts, also offers escorts for individuals on campus who feel unsafe alone.
“Late at night, some people don’t feel comfortable walking back from the library to their dorm room or something like that,” said Orme. “It’s not a tool that’s meant to give you a ride home from the bar.”
He also noted that you do have to be on-campus to request an escort, because Public Safety prefers that officers remain in the area.
Officers and dispatchers on-duty at all times, every day of the year.
“We’re here on Christmas Day,” said Orme. “Anyone can call our office–we have dispatchers that are here around the clock.”
More information about Public Safety and on-campus incidents is available at https://www.isu.edu/publicsafety/.
