Join WhistleWatch - a program designed to alert community residents of a problem occurring in the area. WhistleWatch works by a person blowing his/her whistle to signal trouble. When residents hear the whistle, they know someone is in trouble and they respond immediately by notifying the Albany Police Department at 911 (if off campus) or the University at Albany Police Department or College of St. Rose Security at 911 (if on campus) of the location and any other information pertaining to the incident.

Pick up a whistle and brochure at among other locations:

Let others know where you’re going

Let others know when you’ll be back

Go out with friends and come back with them

Use good judgement

Use good safety sense

Go to a stranger’s apartment

Overindulge

Let your guard down

Go to places alone

• Don’t leave your drink unattended.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
• Don’t let your guard down.
• Do stay in the company of friends.
• Do use good judgement.

• Walk on lighted paths and sidewalks. Don’t take the "shortcut" if it’s not well lit.

• Secure and lock your windows in the completely closed position whenever your apartment is not occupied.
• Always be sure all doors are securely locked and utilize the other safety devices that may be built into your apartment. They don't work unless you use them!

*Notify a trusted neighbor that you'll be gone and ask him/her to watch your apartment.

*Cancel all deliveries such as newspapers and have all mail held by the post office.

*Do not leave valuables out in the open and remove anything of exceptional value. Close all first floor blinds and curtains.

*Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off.

• If you are moving out or changing apartments, do not leave valuables unattended while moving.
• Call the Albany Police Department at 911 to report immediately all crimes and any suspicious activity.

• Never leave your bike unattended. If unable to secure - bring it inside.
• Lock up your bike with a u-lock (E.g. kryptonite).
• Label it with an "Operation ID" number - call the Albany Police Department at 438-4000 for information.

In the City of Albany landowners are required to install a CO-detector in your apartment if:

• Your apartment has forced hot air heat produced by a fossil fuel (i.e. gas, oil) burning unit in your basement.
• Your apartment has any fossil-burning unit within the apartment itself (i.e. heater or hot water tank with oil or gas).

Questions - call the Albany Fire Department at 447-7879.

Don’t make it easy for thieves to steal your valuables.

1. Always lock you car and pocket your keys.
2. Close windows all the way and make sure your trunk is locked.
3. Keep everything of value that you can in your trunk.
4. If you can’t leave valuables in the trunk put them in the glove compartment or make sure they are out of sight.
5. An unattended car phone is virtually guaranteed to be stolen. Secure all phone equipment and computer equipment in the trunk or glove compartment.
6. Park in well-lighted and busy areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle in unattended parking lots for long periods of time.
7. If you park in a lot where you must leave a key, leave the ignition key only.
8. Don’t leave your registration inside your vehicle, but carry it with you. Important identification papers or credit cards should never be left in the glove compartment.
9. Report all suspicious activity wherever you are. You may be preventing a crime against your vehicle or someone else’s.
10. Investigate security systems if you live in a high-theft area.
11. Buy radios, tape and CD players that can be removed and locked in your trunk.

Garbage and recyclables should be set out in enclosed containers and should NOT be placed outside before 7:00 p.m. of the day prior to your scheduled collection day. If you do not know your collection day or have any other questions, please call 434-CITY the Department of General Services.

It prohibits unreasonable noise primarily between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Police may issue appearance tickets to or even arrest violators. Fines range up to $250 and/or fifteen days in jail for repeat or serious violators.

It is illegal for a person to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in a public place. Fines range from $150 - $250 or imprisonment up to 10 - 15 days.

*Persons under the age of 21 are prohibited from possessing any alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume the beverage.

Violators are subject to a fine of up to $50 per offense plus 30 hours of community service and the cost for completion of an alcohol awareness program ($175.00-$300.00).

*It is a Class A misdemeanor to give/deliver an alcoholicbeverage to any person/s under the age of 21.

Penalties for violation may result in a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine up to $1000.00.

*No person shall sell or offer for sale any alcoholic beverage without obtaining the appropriate license.

This is also a Class A misdemeanor, but in addition to the above noted penalties, a violator may be fined two times the license fee in the county (Albany County-$7200.00 total).

If You Have a Party:

It is your responsibility to stay in control of yourself and your guests. Also for your safety and those of your guests, avoid overcrowding which might:

• block apartment exits in case of any emergency.
• result in your porch or entire apartment collapsing.
• result in vehicles blocking your street in case fire, police, and/or medical units need to respond.
• force your guests to inappropriately use "outdoor bathroom facilities."

Talk to your neighbors before the party.

Clean up after the party both inside and outside.

Created in 1990 by the University at Albany and the City of Albany, the "Committee on University & Community Relations" has undertaken the following goals:

• improving town-gown relations
• making life safer off campus for college students and local residents
• developing and carrying out alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs

This diverse committee is composed of representatives from students and professional staff at the University at Albany, College of St. Rose, Albany Medical College, SAGE Junior College of Albany and Albany College of Pharmacy as well as the Albany Police and Fire Departments, the Albany Common Council, neighborhood associations, community leaders, tavern owners, landowners, the New York State Division of Alcohol Beverage Control and the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association.

The committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month except for January. If you would like more information or would like to attend one of our meetings please contact Thomas Gebhardt, Chairperson of the Committee on University & Community Relations and Director of Personal Safety & Off-Campus Affairs - University Police Department at the University at Albany at 442-3130.