How safe is the school?

[Andrew21]

Hello!

I have become quite interested n AUC, and I am applying for Jan, 04. My wife will be coming with me. Does everyone feel safe on tehisland? If anyone has useful info, i would love to read it! Thanks for any advice you can give.

Andrew

[tRmedic21]

With a little common sense, such as you would expend in any major city in the US, you should be more than safe.

This is not to say you will never ever be touched by crime. Obviously, you can't do much to prevent your home being targeted for a break-in or whatever, but you can minimize your losses in advance.

Don't keep large sums of money on hand.
Don't walk alone at night.
BE AWARE of your surroundings and the things going on in them.
There is safety in numbers.
Lock your doors at all times, even when you are home.
Lock your windows.
Leave a light on (our porch light is on all night long).
Make friends with your security guards. It's amazing how much a few kind words and a cold Coke will do on occasion to raise you from tenant to friend status in their eyes. Slipping them a few bucks at Christmas wouldn't hurt, either. Remember, these people make a pittance compared to the money we are spending here.
Don't flash money EVER in public, or tell people whom you don't know too much about yourself.
Don't invite strangers knocking at your door into your home... they may be scoping you out under the ruse of being a 'maid' or 'gardener'.
Get to know your neighbors and become friends with them. A 'neighborhood watch' system like we have on Sesame Street can be more effective than patrolling policemen.....

Like I said... common sense, and nothing that you wouldn't have to think about in the US. When tourist season is over, the money doesn't flow like wine anymore, and some locals get a bit desperate. Just be aware of yourself and take extra precautions.

[TAFKA]

edited to remove text

[tRmedic21]

This is a scam that does happen from time to time. Although I haven't heard of any students getting assaulted lately, I have ehard of some getting 'shaken down' for cash for roadside collisions of a dubious nature.

I, too carry a handle for a small sledgehammer in my car, just under the driver's seat, and I also have a large one next to my bed.

[AUCMD2006]

all over the place. i've heard it on the news in miami, i heard it in chicago and i hear it here...common sense if a car full of people hits you and your car is driveable don't pull over in the dark area. even the police in the states advice you to drive to a gas station or the police station. since i've been here i've heard of a couple of robberies and one car being stolen...same as anywhere use common sense. as far as this being third world....it's only third world if you are a spoiled suburbanite or shlub who has never been out in the real world. you guys miss your picked fences, starbucks, and applebee's in every corner, and the immaculate lawns of the insulated psudoreality that is the American suburb. for anyone who has been to miami, southside chicago any other major city, or the backstreets of gainsville or alabama it really isn't. this is actually just like the florida keys with the notable exeption that the power/cable companies suck and the police are useless, wait a minute cops are useless in the states too!

last time i had my car broken into in florida it took them 7 hours to get there and when i had it broken into twice in chicago they don't even send a unit they take the report on the phone and mail you a copy.....hehe to those who think there is crime here wait til you do rotations in detroit or chicago and let me know how useless the cops are. there was usually one or two nurses and doctors got mugged on a weekly basis at the illinois medical district. (UIC medical center, St lukes, Rush, Cook, and the VA are all in a one square mile) and they had 3 police departments patroling that area. Illinois Highway Patrol, Chicago Police, and UIC Police which was a full police force with guns, detectives, narcotics team, and full arrest powers NOT campus security. anyway i'm off on a rant b/c i just remembered how much money i lost during those breakins so i am a bit bitter.....peace

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