Here at UMass, it is easy to think that avoiding the Sylvan “rape trail” and locking your door a night is enough to be safe. Sure, UMass has certainly increased security over the years, and Amherst is a small town with little crime, but with recent incidents in the Hadley and Sunderland areas, it is important to have some idea of how to protect your self.
Of course there are the obvious ways to steer clear of danger – avoiding walking in dark places, especially alone – take a buddy with you when walking across campus, look for the blue lights along the way (the emergency boxes where you can call for help on campus), and just being aware of your surroundings. Unfortunately, this isn’t always enough. Its time we update our usually suggestions and look beyond having your keys ready on the way to your car in a dark parking lot.

Use the Campus Escort Service. This might seem obvious, but very few people actually take advantage of the service provided through UMPD. If you have to walk alone across campus, or even from one building to the next between 7PM and 3AM give them a call at 413-545-2123. A student security officer will walk with you.

Arm Yourself. In the state of Massachusetts, anyone over the age of 18 (after passing a criminal background check) can obtain a Fire Arms Identification Card (FID) allowing you to carry mace or pepper spray for the small price of about $20.00. Just go down to your local police station to fill out the quick paperwork and your license will come in the mail shortly. You can find mace online at Army/Navy stores and some sporting goods stores. Should you be walking alone or should you find yourself in a confrontation with an attacker, mace or pepper spray will temporarily disable the person by essentially blinding them, if used properly.
Yell FIRE! It’s been said before, but its well worth saying again: if you yell “fire” people will pay attention to you and help you out. Although most people will not respond to someone’s cry for ‘help,’ everyone gets nosy when it comes to fires.

Lock your Doors and Roll up your Windows.  A car parked at a stoplight in town is the perfect target for a carjacking. If your doors are unlocked or your windows are down, an attacker can quickly jump into your vehicle on the passenger side or pull you out your door. Don’t make it so easy.

Duck and Cover. If you’re in a parking lot and are confronted and cannot safely get in your car and drive away, literally slide underneath a car and hold on! There is plenty down there to grab onto and an attacker will usually be less than willing to pry you from underneath a car. It is important to practice this- know how you would slide under- on your stomach, side, face up, etc. as it can be awkward and waste useful time in the moment.

Add these suggestions in with the long list we’ve been told all our lives along with some common sense and we can all be a little safer. If there is ever a doubt, call 911 for emergency assistance, or run to a nearby residence or crowded area for help. Whenever you can, escape. The individual with a gun to your head telling you to get into a car is unlikely to shoot you- it is more important to run, as you do not want to go with him wherever he plans on taking you.
If you have been a victim of an attack please reach out- use campus resources such as the Every Women’s Center Crisis Hotline (413-545-0800).

Sam can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it