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Inside Cal Poly

At Cal Poly, the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty and staff is at the center of everything the university strives for. This week Cal Poly Public Safety took another step forward by introducing the free Rave Guardian app to the campus community.



With just the tap of a few buttons, Rave Guardian will turn your smart phone into a personal safety device. This new tool will allow users to easily send anonymous tips to the Cal Poly Police Department (CPPD), set a safety timer when walking from place to place on campus, text Mustang Patrol, connect to 24-hour police or support services, and offers easy communication with CPPD.



Messaging within the Rave Guardian app provides confidentiality and a direct way to be put in contact with campus police. App users can even choose to be anonymous if that is preferred. Users can easily connect with 9-1-1 or CPPD officials through the pre-programmed emergency call button. Any suspicious activity can be reported quickly and effectively with images or a quick text if calling is unsafe.



Something that is quite unique to Rave Guardian is the Safety Timer feature. Serving as a virtual companion on walks across campus, the Safety Timer alerts selected friends, family or CPPD, known as Guardians, of a planned departure and arrival time, and then notifies them when the user reaches their destination. If the user does not reach their destination by the designated time and the Safety Timer is not deactivated,&nbsp;the selected Guardian will&nbsp;be notified of&nbsp;the user’s location. It takes little to no time to set up this feature and can put your mind at ease when walking around campus in the dark.



Take the time today to sign up for Rave Guardian by downloading the mobile app from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rave-guardian/id691246562">Apple Store</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ravemobilesafety.raveguardian&amp;hl=en_US">Google Play</a>&nbsp;and enter your device’s phone number. When the user enters their Cal Poly email address that device will connect to the Cal Poly community and be authenticated.



This app will allow Cal Poly students, staff and faculty to come together to promote safety through the power of community. Join the network and help protect yourself and others today! For more information on Rave Guardian, as well as the app’s privacy and security visit&nbsp;<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/police/services/safety-app">https://afd.calpoly.edu/police/services/safety-app</a>.

Woman in a long dress walking down wide exterior steps with handrails, near a leafy green tree.

Campus Safety Made Easy: Cal Poly provides the Rave Guardian App for All

Finals, group projects, the upcoming holidays. We know you have a lot on your mind and packing your belongings as you prepare to leave for the next five weeks is perhaps not on the top of the list. The holidays have traditionally been a time of travel, therefore the Cal Poly Police Department has prepared some tips for making sure you are equipped to travel safely as well as leave your residence so that it is secure until your return in January.



1. Limit your interactions to only those that are essential 14 days prior to going out of town. 2. Consider getting a COVID test or a free flu shot from the Health Center before departing. 3. Bring electronic devices such as computers/laptops/tablets and gaming devices home. 4. Unplug devices and power strips. This includes TVs, microwaves, coffee makers, lamps, curling irons, etc. This will help save energy and ensure nothing is left on for five weeks. 5. Close all windows, blinds and curtains. This includes locking your windows and turning off all lights. 6. Clean up before you leave: throw away old food, no one wants to return to month-old moldy food! Do not unplug your refrigerator. Wash your dishes and take the garbage out. 7. Make sure you don’t have any packages arriving to your on or off campus housing. You can also put your mail on hold for up to 30 days through the post office. 8. Lock your dorm or home before you leave! 9. Travel responsibly, wear a mask on all planes, buses, trains and other vehicles with others present. 10. As always, wash your hands and stay at least 6 feet apart from other travelers whenever possible.



As a reminder, all university offices will be closed from 5 p.m. Dec. 24 until 8 a.m. Jan. 4. However, CPPD will be on campus and available to assist 24/7 and may be contacted at 805-756-2281. With the ongoing pandemic, please ensure you are traveling safely during the holidays and continuing to follow physical distancing guidelines. For guidance from Cal Poly regarding COVID-19, please click here.



From all of us at your Cal Poly Police Department, we hope you have a safe, and happy holiday season. We’ll see you in the New Year!

Modern white buildings in a valley surrounded by hills at sunset, with roads and trees nearby.

Home for the Holidays – Safety Tips from Your Cal Poly Police Department

Cal Poly began illuminating several buildings and landmarks on campus with blue light on May 22 to thank the health care, and other essential workers who have given their care and support during the COVID-19 crisis.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/489a0c2922ae69370336d52acc0b148157fecf31-800x710.jpg?w=675&amp;h=599&amp;fit=crop" alt="Thank You - PAC Lit Up Blue"/></figure>



The “Light it Blue” campaign is not only to celebrate those who are providing health care to patients, but also to give thanks to the essential workers who continue to keep our school clean and functioning for the Cal Poly students and staff during this time of quarantine. Facilities Management and Development department partnered with the Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo, and Associated Students, Inc. to create this effort to shine light on the San Luis Obispo community as a whole, showing thanks during this time of crisis.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/ff4f885ccceb7dee4a0f9269e6d0b88d91a8dc4f-800x533.jpg?w=675&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop" alt="Cal Poly Recreation Center"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cal Poly Recreation Center</figcaption></figure>



“For us in FMD, it is always rewarding to support the campus and community; that is our mission and purpose on campus, and our teams take it very seriously, and take great pride in their work,” said Jessica Hunter, customer service manager in facilities.



These lights can be seen through May 31 at the south side of the Cal Poly Recreation Center, the Performing Arts Center, and the Grand Avenue entrance to campus. The lights turn on at dusk.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/b227ff366f53ba5f8fcb19749fd73da508c187f2-800x533.jpg?w=675&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop" alt="Grand Ave entrance to campus"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grand Ave entrance to campus</figcaption></figure>



In addition to the blue lights, the facilities team painted the Cal Poly “P” blue on May 21, a view which can be seen throughout San Luis Obispo.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vm929t16/production/b1331a12ed0ed0ee1ca055ada40c99759951d667-800x1200.jpg?w=675&amp;h=1013&amp;fit=crop" alt="Cal Poly P Painted Blue"/></figure>

Modern building illuminated in blue and purple lights with a lit spherical metal sculpture in the foreground at night.

Light It Blue

The Cal Poly Police Department wishes each student, staff and faculty member a safe and restful holiday season. As you enjoy the winter break much of the campus will become vacant and this is unfortunately also a time of increased theft on campus. To make the best of your upcoming break, whether residing on or off campus, we have prepared these tips to aide you while away and to help protect our campus.



First and foremost, the vast majority of property crimes on campus are from unlocked offices and buildings. Before leaving for the break&nbsp;lock your office and office building&nbsp;and do not leave valuables behind.



Burglary is a crime of opportunity.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Burglars aim for the easiest targets.</li>



<li>Thieves generally enter through an unlocked door or window. Make sure to lock doors and windows, especially if you are leaving campus for the entire break or extended times.</li>



<li>Most burglars will give up and move on if they cannot get in quickly.</li>



<li>Most auto burglaries occur when valuable items are visible and the car is unlocked.</li>



<li>Secure valuables that you cannot take with you out of sight in your room/apartment/home.</li>



<li>Unplug appliances before you leave.</li>
</ul>



If you are leaving for the break:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Make sure you lock your room and office doors.</li>



<li>Take portable electronics such as tablets and laptops home with you.</li>



<li>Use electronic timers for your interior lights, stereos, or televisions while you are away. This would give the illusion that someone is at home.</li>



<li>Avoid leaving your vehicle packed overnight with your luggage and other personal items.</li>



<li>If you leave a bicycle on campus be sure it is properly secured with a quality lock.</li>



<li>If living off campus and leaving home for an extended time, have a trusted friend watch your house and have newspaper and mail delivery suspended.</li>
</ul>



If you are staying for the break:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Do not let anyone you do not know into your building. Avoid piggybacking as much as possible.</li>



<li>Do not leave doors propped open, especially exterior doors.</li>



<li>Avoid leaving valuable property in plain view inside your vehicle or unlocked in your room or office.</li>



<li>If you see something suspicious, say something. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the police at 805–756–2281 or 911 in emergencies</li>
</ul>



During This Time Also Be Aware of Charity Scams Many good-willed individuals express their generosity by giving to those less fortunate. As such, the winter months also present the opportunity for scam artists to take advantage of the kindness and compassion of others. When giving, remember to use your head, as well as your heart. The Better Business Bureau offers additional information about what to avoid. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/holidayscams/">https://www.bbb.org/holidayscams/</a>.

Woman in glasses and denim shirt typing on a keyboard at a desk with dual monitors and a microphone.

Tag: Crime

Campus Safety Made Easy: Cal Poly provides the Rave Guardian App for All

Home for the Holidays – Safety Tips from Your Cal Poly Police Department

Light It Blue

Winter Break and Holiday Crime Prevention Tips