The city of Madison, University of Wisconsin and Dane County provided an outreach program Thursday morning on Library Mall to provide information on preventing student assaults.
This “Locks and Bagel” event offered free bagels from Einstein Brothers to students and passersby interested in safety information and tips.
Members from the Tenant Resource Center, Madison police, the UW student organization Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment (PAVE), Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin, SAFE Nighttime Services and University Health Services appeared at the event.
Some local well-known faces present included Ald. Austin King, District 8; Policy, Alternatives, Community and Education Program Coordinator Sue Crowley; and Dane County Board Supervisor Scott McDonnel.
McDonnel was able to allocate $5,000 from the county District Attorney’s budget to help fund media promotions and further outreach for the organizations present.
The two focal points for this outreach program are “You Have A Right to Be Safe in Your Apartment” and “Safety in Numbers.”
The apartment-safety theme offers information on tenant and landlord rights and the essentials regarding security features. Some of these features include peepholes, deadbolt locks, adequate porch lighting and window locks.
The correct use of deadbolt locks is one of the largest concerns for this new promotion.
“Don’t prop your door open or leave it unlocked for friends or roommates,” a new media poster says.
According to Crowley, approximately 1,400 posters were printed. Some will be distributed throughout Madison apartments and the others will be used in similar outreach events.
Nighttime safety is just one side of the campaign; the other section offers information on SAFE services and awareness.
“Madison really is a fairly safe place,” Goemans asserted. “But things do happen, and [SAFE] is certainly an option anytime.”
In the case of sexual assault, PAVE members were present during the outreach program.
UW seniors and members of PAVE, Eileen Lalor and Dave Corkle, handed out information on sexual violence.
“Our bigger message is why [sexual violence] occurs and to empower those who have been affected,” Lalor said. “By getting people to talk we can help them with these issues.”
“We’re encouraging people to use the safety services in Madison,” Goemans added.
McDonnel said he plans to incorporate public service announcements onto local television to promote apartment and nighttime safety.
