Top Five Security Tips
· Walk in groups of three or more
· Use well-lit and well-traveled routes
· Call Security for an escort rather than walking alone at night
· Have security numbers in your phone
· Sign up for Belmont Alerts and consider signing up for alerts through local media or Metro for notification of emergencies off-campus.
Incorporating these tips into your routine develops good security habits that help keep you safe on campus, when you’re elsewhere in Nashville, and when you’re travelling or home.
One of the questions we get is where people should jog or walk or bike around campus; while we don’t say “you should run here, but not here …” it’s always preferable to follow these same suggestions - uses routes that are well-lit, well-travelled, and take advantage of places that have bike lanes / walks like Belmont Blvd and greenways. Use the buddy system – have a pal you run or bike with - or consider doing group runs so you don’t have to run alone and have some camaraderie. Many groups like 12southrunners, fleet feet of green hills, Nashville Striders, and greatruns also share their runs so you can see what routes others like and recommend.
Current Programs:
Bystander Intervention: It's On Us
The Bystander Effect describes individuals who witness potential criminal events and by their presence contribute in a negative behavior or simply do nothing. Being an active bystander means overcoming this social norm to notice and interpret the need for intervention and be empowered to act. Though being an active bystander is important in any potential crime, this approach is most commonly used to combat sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. A key university focus in crime and violence prevention this year, the bystander intervention program will work towards educating and changing a culture to empower individuals to act and reach out for help. With the president’s focus on the It’s On Us campaign, we are excited to incorporate resources and the pledge with this program for further promotion on campus.
Basic Self Defense
A small taste of self-defense tactics, this program reviews several basic tactical releases and several defensive strikes that can be incredibly effective if needed. Though many repetitions are needed to create muscle memory, this program helps explain the philosophy and basic premise of self-defense and gives an interactive opportunity to rehearse with trained facilitators feedback.
Escalation Workshop
The One Love Foundation, created in 2010, has created a workshop about dating and relationship violence called The Escalation Workshop. Their work is rooted in “our honest belief that relationship violence is an epidemic that can be stopped” (Sharon Love). A powerful video and facilitated discussion, Escalation is a great tool to educate about the importance of healthy relationships, awareness of disturbing signs, and inspiration to act when needed. This program is taught by trained facilitators from Campus Security and other campus partners.
Active Shooter Response
The Active Shooter Response and Mitigation presentation seeks to improve awareness about active shooting situations, pre-incident indicators and responses, and what to do if one occurs. This presentation also includes a practical exercise to help participants understand and review the steps to take in the event of a lockdown on campus. This program is taught by trained security officers.
Basics of Sexual Violence Prevention
This program provides a general overview in statistics and discussion about sexual violence prevention. Topics covered include why statistics are higher in the LGBTQIA community, the correlation between alcohol and sexual assaults, and what is rape-prone culture and how can bystander intervention start to change that culture. This program also highlights some Belmont specific statistics from findings in our campus climate survey spring 2016 and what prevention efforts Belmont is currently working on to combat sexual violence and end rape-prone culture in our community.
QPR/Suicide Prevention
This session introduces de-escalation skills and teaches techniques about how to listen and respond to individuals in crisis. It also covers QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Manuever help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Staff and students interested in this session can email securityprograms@belmont.edu for more information about the next available session.
Programs are provided throughout the year and on request on crime and violence prevention, personal safety, prevention and awareness of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, emergency preparedness, bystander intervention programs, etc.
Please contact securityprograms@belmont.edu for more information.
Additional Risk Reduction Tips, Personal Safety Information, and security awareness / crime prevention programming information is available in our Annual Security Report