Reducing campus crime is a top priority for the West Virginia University. To help their mission they are teaching students and employees to replace fear with confidence.

Having the confidence to avoid crime is one of the lessons that will be taught at WVU’s Crime Prevention Safety Fair, held on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Vandalia Lounge in the Mountainlair.

The fair will conclude WVU’s first Crime Prevention and Safety Week. The week is designed to help raise awareness and reduce victimization in the campus community.

“I am a strong believer that when people have knowledge on how to avoid crime, then confidence replaces fear. We want to empower individuals to eliminate the fear of crime,” said Chief Bob Roberts of the WVU Police.

Representatives from Fatal Vision, West Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control, West Virginia State Police, WVU Student Affairs, U92, WVU Forensic Club, Governor’s Highway Safety Program and University Police are expected at the fair.

Other events scheduled for the week are:

• Monday, Oct. 26 – Trunk-or-Treat, 5:30-7:30 p.m., WVU Coliseum; this event was organized by the WVU chapter of Institute of Industrial Engineers.

• Wednesday, Oct. 28 – Shots Fired on Campus and Flash Point on Campus, 6:30 p.m., Gluck Theater; these events will teach students and employees what to do in case of a shooting. The presentations will also talk about recognizing behaviors of concern.

All events are free and open to the public.

-WVU-

cd/10/21/09

CONTACT: Peggy Runyon, University Police
304-293-3136, Peggy.Runyon@mail.wvu.edu