Be aware, take care! – The library hosts a successful security event

On Tuesday 9 May, the Department of Library Services (DLS) hosted our first security event. Staff and students took their seats in the library auditorium to learn helpful security tips and tricks to remain street-smart and campus savvy. 

The head speaker of the event was Mr Rowan Watson from the Department of Security Services, a security expert and previous investigator for the South African Police Department. He shared some very interesting information with the audience to educate them on how to stay safe on and off campus and to make them aware of various scams and criminal activities that were present around the area.

Mr Watson introducing himself to the staff and students present at the event. 

Mr Watson reminded students of the importance of their student cards. He described them as “the key to life on campus” and he mentioned that a lost key in the hands of the wrong person could do some serious damage. 

The main topic discussed was the safety of students’ valuables such as their wallets, phones, laptops, etc. Mr Watson mentioned that you should never leave your valuable property alone at all, even for as little as five seconds! Furthermore, he pleaded with students to treat their valuable possessions like firearms and suggested keeping them in a safe place at home or directly on them, but nowhere else.

Furthermore, he advised the audience on safety off campus or while heading to campus. He gave the students and staff the following tips:

• Don’t walk with your device in your hand while walking to campus.
• Walk in groups of three or more if possible.
• Have situational awareness and be aware of what is happening around you.
• Walk on the right-hand side of the road and always face oncoming traffic. 

Lastly, Mr Watson made us aware of the Green Feet Route. This is an incredible initiative started by the Department of Security Services to help stop unwanted crime around the campus during periods of the night and early morning when crime seems to be at its highest. This initiative allows students who are headed anywhere east of the Hatfield Main Campus to be escorted by a security officer back to their place of residence between 6 PM to 6 AM. Students wishing to be escorted must meet at the Green Feet security checkpoint outside the Merensky 2 Library.

Mr Watson presenting various safety tips and security facts to the audience.

The Department of Library Services would like to thank Mr Watson for his time and very insightful safety presentation. We are confident that the helpful security tips and tricks will help students and staff stay safe and teach others the importance of safety as well. We look forward to hosting more successful security events in the future.