Commuter Safety Tips

Your Rights When Renting

• Your landlord must fit deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
• If you would like any additional security, such as an alarm, additional lighting, window bars or similar, talk with your landlord. You may be responsible for the cost of these upgrades.

Things to Consider When Deciding Where to Live

• Talk to current residents and neighbors about the area, and ask whether they feel it is a safe place to live
• Are the outdoor spaces around the building well lighted, particularly the route from the parking areas to the entrance?
• Does the accommodation have additional security, such as a security guard or patrol?
• How far away are you from emergency services if you need to call them?
• Is the door sturdy, and are the locks sufficient?
• Are the windows fitted with locks, and are they sufficient?

Avoid Being a Victim of Theft or Burglary

• Secure your valuables, and don’t leave them outside your residence or in view in your car
• Keep doors locked at all times
• Be sure that windows are closed and locked when you leave home
• Invest in additional security such as an alarm or dog. If not, invest in dummy security signs or “Beware of dog” signs.
• Don’t leave boxes for high-value goods visible in your trash (for example, computer or electronic equipment)
• If you or your roommates will not be in the home for an extended period of time, have someone collect your mail and newspapers
• Avoid having large groups of strangers in your home
• Stay away from areas with high theft rates
• Avoid overly crowded areas where it is easy to be pickpocketed

To Avoid Being Robbed

• Avoid walking alone at night
• Use services such as the Gallaudet shuttle, DPS escorts, DC Metro, and buses as alternatives to walking alone.
• Avoid isolated locations near high crime areas
• Don’t walk around while heavily intoxicated
• Don’t show off valuables such as cell phones, pagers, or cash unnecessarily

Emergency Contact Numbers

• Emergency Fire Rescue and Police: 911
• Non-Emergency: 311

Transportation Numbers

• Gallaudet Shuttle: 202-651-5151
• DPS: 202-651-5555
• DPS pager: gallydps@att.blackberry.net
• Metro: 202-637-7000
• MetroBus: 202-637-7000

Non-Emergency Numbers

• Poison Center: 800-222-1222
• Animal Control & Shelter: 301-499-8300
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Liaison Unit: 202-698-0289
• Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit: 202-727-5427
• Latino Liaison Unit: 202-673-4445
• Asian Liaison Unit: 202-724-8009
• Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
• Deaf Addiction Service in MD: 800-735-2258

Hospitals

• Washington Hospital Center: 202-877-7174
• Georgetown University Hospital: 202-687-1448
• George Washington University Hospital: 202-715-4000
• Childrens Hospital: 202-884-5000
• Howard University Hospital: 202-865-6100