Risk services
Security: Campus security
The Campus Protection Services (CPS) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are committed to maintaining the safety of the university community and property, as well as keeping order in accordance with university policies.
Locations
CPS operates from six service centres:
Burnage House
Adjacent to Leo Marquard Hall, in Burnage Road (just off Main Road), Rosebank. Tel: 021 650 2222 / 3
Upper Campus
Robert Leslie Social Science Building, University Avenue. Tel: 021 650 2121
Middle Campus
Kramer Building. Tel: 021 650 5759 / 021 650 3022
Medical Campus
Barnard Fuller Building. Tel: 021 406 6690 / 406 6100
Forest Hill Residence
Main Road, Mowbray. Tel: 021 650 3856
Hiddingh Campus
Orange Street, Cape Town. Tel: 021 406 7101
Method
CPS has a simple but comprehensive four-pronged approach to campus security and safety.
- Presence: Uniformed staff maintain a high profile while patrolling the campus on foot and in vehicles, and their presence acts as a positive deterrent against potential criminal acts.
- Engineering: Physical equipment has been installed to enhance security effectiveness. This includes fencing, gates, CCTV installations and other similar deterrents.
- Education: Through regular communication with the community, and meetings and workshops with students and staff, CPS strives to enhance and ensure awareness of security issues. CPS also provides advice on how to deal with various situations.
- Enforcement: In extraordinary circumstances CPS is empowered to take whatever appropriate action may be necessary to maintain order and security on the campuses.
While CPS endeavours to provide an effective service, the university community is a large one and we encourage members to help us by:
- anticipating and recognising a crime or safety risk
- involving us in the implementation of actions that could help us reduce or eliminate that risk
CPS also encourages all students and staff to display their swipe cards.
CPS staff are highly trained and, in the unfortunate circumstance of a crime being committed against anyone in the university community, are competent to deal with the practical and legal aspects, such as first aid and what to do in the cases of sexual assault.
Crime prevention
The best way to prevent crime is to be aware of your surroundings and particularly the people in your environment. Criminals rely on the community being indifferent and "minding their own business".
Be alert for suspicious persons in and around campus buildings and parking areas. Ask yourself:
- Are they hanging around for no apparent reason?
- Are they looking into cars as they walk through the parking areas?
- Are they going from room to room trying door knobs?
- Are they carrying valuable property from buildings after normal working hours?
Do not pursue them, contact CPS. Tel: 021 650 2222 / 3.
Crime victims
Using the crime prevention techniques suggested may reduce the chance of your becoming a victim. If you are confronted with a threatening situation, THE FOLLOWING IS IMPORTANT
- No material possession is worth endangering your life for. If you are confronted by an armed person (or someone who claims to be armed), give up your property immediately.
- Use your judgement in the particular situation and do anything to stay alive.
- At the first opportunity, contact CPS on 021 650 2222 / 3.
Protecting your property
Theft is the most common crime on campus. The best means of prevention is to reduce or remove the opportunity.
- Whenever you leave your office, laboratory or residence, lock the door and close all windows.
- Never leave access doors propped open.
- When storing a purse or a wallet in the office, put it in a seldom-used file cabinet and lock the cabinet.
- Do not leave any backpack or bags in open public places unsupervised, especially in cafeterias and libraries.
- Keep a record of serial numbers and a description of your valuables.
- Engrave your property - preferably with your driver's licence number.
- Never leave items displayed inside a parked car.
- Invest in a steering wheel or gear lever lock.
Protecting yourself
In your residences
- Lock your door and windows even when leaving the room for a short period of time.
- Keep emergency numbers next to your phone or fixed onto your desk.
- Secure your door and windows when you are alone and while you are asleep.
- Do not leave house keys hidden in a traditional location, such as under the doormat.
- Do not put your home address on your key ring.
- Get to know your neighbours - you can keep an eye on each other's rooms when you are not there.
- Contact CPS on 021 650 2222 / 3 to report suspicious persons or activities in or around your neighbourhood.
- Do not leave any messages on your door to indicate that you will be away for a lengthy period of time.
- Do not keep large sums of money inside your room.
- Take your valuables home when you go on vacation.
When walking
- Remember, you are safer when walking in a group - especially at night.
- Get into the habit of being escorted by a security official when walking late at night within UCT premises.
- Practice using the "blue safe walk" when walking in university property - you have the advantage of being close to the emergency phones, and surveillance cameras monitor the area.
- Avoid walking in dark and deserted areas and stay away from short cuts.
When driving
- Avoid parking your car in isolated areas.
- Lock all possessions in the boot.
- Have your car keys ready when approaching your vehicle.
- Lock your door as soon as you get into the car.
- Drive in well-travelled streets and never give a lift to a hitchhiker.
- If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station, shop or business to seek assistance.
- If your car breaks down, open your boot or bonnet (if it is safe to do so) and then stay inside your locked car. Use your cell phone to call an emergency service, or wait until assistance arrives. When a person stops to help you, do not get out of the car; instead ask them to call for professional help.
Sexual assault and rape
A sexual assault does not always have to be committed by a stranger; it can happen on a date. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, know who to call for a ride home or have money ready for a taxi. Realise that the more alcoholic beverages you consume, the less aware and more vulnerable you will become.
The following guidelines are recommended
- Call CPS on 021 650 2222 / 3.
- Call a friend or relative for support.
- CPS officers are trained in dealing with the situation. Allow them to assist.
- You may request to be assisted by a female CPS officer.
- Ensure that the matter is reported to the local police.
- It is important to remember that important evidence will be lost if rape victims take a bath, shower, or change their clothes.
- There is always a consultant on duty that can be called out to offer advice and to ensure that all the critical procedures have been followed.
Safe escort services
In the event that the Jammie Shuttle is not functioning (after 01h00), CPS offer students vehicular or foot escorts from the campus to their destinations. However, please understand that our core function on campus is not transportation of patrons. Due to operational reasons, there may be delays - especially with vehicular escorts.
Other services offered by CPS
- Lighting audits
- Monitoring of building maintenance systems
- Monitoring of fire and alarm systems
- Personal assistance
- Security audits
- Security training
Contact us
CPS Management
Tel: 021 650 4654 or 021 650 4525
CPS Crime Prevention
Tel: 021 650 4653
