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Safety presentation for Franklin and Broadway buildings on May 19

UCOP is committed to keeping you safe. Following similar presentations at the Kaiser building, Wade MacAdam from UCPD-Berkeley’s Crime Prevention Unit will deliver a safety presentation tailored to the Franklin and Broadway buildings:

DATE: Thursday, May 19
TIME: 9 to 10 a.m.
LOCATION: Franklin Lobby 1

Given that crime continues to be a problem in downtown Oakland, we recommend that all UCOP staff follow certain precautions:

Stay off your cellphone when you’re on the street. Texting or talking on your cellphone makes you a target for criminals in two ways: You’re distracted rather than being aware of any danger around you, and you have shown thieves that you have something worth stealing.

Be aware of people who are standing near you or following closely. Go the other way or cross the street immediately. Report suspicious behavior to building security or 911, or to the driver if you are on public transit.

Take only well-traveled, well-lit routes when walking. Don’t use shortcuts through alleys or walkways between buildings.

Park your car in a garage or on a well-lit street. Before entering or exiting your car, always check before opening the door to make sure no one suspicious is waiting for you, either inside or outside the car.

Lock your belongings in the trunk of your car before you arrive at your destination. Thieves watch for people who lock up valuables after they park and then break in once the driver walks away. And never leave valuable items in a visible location in your car!

Be cautious when using ATMs. Always consider the time of day and location and use an inside ATM if possible. Never walk away with cash in your hand and never count your money on the street or in public view.

Be alert in crowded places. Thieves’ favorite places are revolving doors, crowded stores, elevators, public transportation and transit stops at rush hour. They often work in pairs; one will bump into you while another picks your pocket or purse.

Carry laptop and messenger bags, purses and packages in front of rather than behind you. Zipped bags and purses that you can wear cross-body (rather than on one shoulder) are harder for thieves to snatch away or get their hands into. Keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket or other location that’s more difficult for a pickpocket to access.

Use caution in public restrooms. Never leave your packages, coat, briefcase or purse outside the stall. If you use a hook or shelf in a stall, make certain someone can’t reach over and take your belongings.

Report incidents quickly. If you are a victim of a crime or observe any suspicious behavior, immediately call for help so that police can find the suspect while still in the area. If using a landline, dial 911 (9-911 from an office desk phone). If using a cellphone, call Oakland Police Department at 510-777-3211 for emergencies (crime in progress or suspect nearby) or 510-777-3333 for non-emergencies. Store these numbers in your cellphone for quick dialing.

Ask for extra protection. If you would like to be accompanied to your car, security escorts are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. as part of the city of Oakland’s Block to Block Ambassador Service. You can reach this service directly by calling 510-898-8592 or you can call UCOP Security at 510-987-9700 and ask that they contact them. In either case, you will need to call at least one hour ahead. A roving UCPD security officer also patrols the perimeters of all UCOP buildings in Oakland from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.


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