Police Services/Crime prevention

To ensure the safety of all faculty, staff, students and visitors, the Houston Community College Police Department provides police escort assistance. To request an escort to your vehicle, 24 hours HCC Dispatch at 713-718-8888.

• Never leave your car running while it is unattended.
• Lock your car.
• Roll up windows completely.
• Take your keys.
• Never hide a spare key on a vehicle.
• Park in a well-lighted area and be familiar with your surroundings.
• Keep all valuables and packages out of sight that may tempt a thief.
• Use auto theft deterrents such as car alarms, steering column devices and kill switches.
• Have a record of your vehicle's license plate number and VIN and keep it in your billfold. 

• Call the police immediately.
• Take quick action, which often results in recovery of your vehicle as well as prevention of another crime.
• Be willing to file charges if the criminal is apprehended.

• Always have your keys ready to unlock the car door and enter without delay. Never walk across the parking lot digging in your purse for your keys; have them in your hand before leaving the building.
• Before entering your car; look into the back seat.
• Keep car doors locked at all times.
• Make certain you have enough gas to get where you are going and always keep your vehicle in good running condition.
• If possible, travel on well lighted, busy streets and avoid isolated back roads and short cuts.
  If you are being followed, drive to the nearest open business for help or drive to the police or fire station.
• Women driving alone should never stop to aid a stranger in a stalled vehicle. Proceed to an open business and report the stalled vehicle to the police.
• If you have trouble, raise the hood and stay in your vehicle. When someone offers assistance, roll the window down just enough to talk to them. Ask them to call a relative, friend, garage or the police for you. Never get into a stranger's car
• Be mindful of using any remote start features on your vehicle if it is parked in an enclosed space such as a garage. Starting your vehicle inside an enclosed garage can lead to a buildup of the odorless fumes which may cause you to feel suddenly tired, dizzy, and or nauseated. Continued exposure can lead to unconsciousness and even death

• Walk with confidence — show that you're aware and in control.
• When possible, avoid walking alone. Walk with a friend or walk in well-traveled areas. If on campus, call campus security for an escort when you're ready to leave.
• Stay in well lighted areas, away from alleys or wooded areas.
• Avoid shortcuts through parks, vacant lots and other deserted places.
• If a driver stops to ask you directions, avoid getting near the car.
• If you are being followed, go to the nearest business or residence for help.
• If you are harassed by the occupants of a car, simply turn and walk the other direction. The driver will have to turn around to follow you. Hold your purse close, not dangling, and avoid carrying extra money or valuables on your person.
• Above all, be aware of the people around yo

• Replace or re-key locks when you move into a new home or apartment. Install a door viewer and a one-inch dead bolt lock and use them. Look before opening your door to anyone.
• Keep doors locked at all times and instruct children to never open the door to strangers.
• Require all strangers to show identification. If you have not called for a repairman, don't let one inside. Leave him waiting outside and call his place of business to verify his reason for being in your area.
• Do not let a stranger inside your home to use the phone; make the call for him.
• Never admit that you are home alone.
• Women living alone should use only initials on mailboxes and in telephone listings.
• Leave outside lights on at night and keep lights on in more than one room.
• If you receive an obscene phone call, do not react — just hang up. If the calls keep coming, notify the police.

• Watch it! If you don't, who will? Never trust a stranger to watch your personal property, even for a few seconds and don't expect people to be as honest and trustworthy as you are.
• Take it with you. Never leave your personal property unattended. It may be bothersome to carry everything everywhere ,but it's worth it if it means not having to replace costly items

Do you know what to do in the event of an active shooter? The video provides the information you need to survive an active shooter event.