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University of Wisconsin students relaxed around a fireplace and ate cookies with three Madison Police Department officers during a student safety initiative meeting Wednesday.

In their presentation, the officers discussed actions that decrease an individual’s safety and actions students can take to increase their safety. MPD officer Mary Anne Thurber emphasized awareness.

“You need to be engaged in your environment. When you see somebody walking by, look at them,” Thurber said.

She added everyone should leave a “pen path” wherever they go.

“Somebody always needs to know where you are, who you’re with, and when you’ll be back,” Thurber said. “It’s not a function of you not being an adult; it’s really for every age and both genders.”

She stressed the importance of using locks on doors, windows and in vehicles.

“Your lock is your first line of defense,” Thurber said.

She provided a variety of other habit changes that can increase a person’s safety. Some advice included limiting how much you carry with you, having a well-lit home, not “advertising your assets” and “controlling your space.”

In addition, Thurber told attendees not to worry about being nice.

“Everyone here is raised to be so nice,” Thurber said. “Well, I’m giving you dispensation right now — you don’t have to be nice. Defend yourself.”

Officer Meredith York stressed the importance of calling 911. York said providing your exact location using landmarks could assist the police in locating a crime quickly.

Although living by all of the officers’ advice would be ideal, Thurber said every little bit counts for something.

“If they just change one habit, they’re that much farther out of the victim pool,” Thurber said.

Todd Wendorf, operations manager of Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, said the chapel partnered with MPD for this initiative because of the “apparent increase in crime in the neighborhood” and what he called a “rough fall.”

“We want to help students become a little more knowledgeable about what’s going on in the neighborhood,” Wendorf said.

Chanda Dolsen, the State Street Neighborhood officer, said the initiative began targeting students who frequented the study lounge at the chapel.

MPD decided to advertise the presentation more aggressively to the entire student body after the homicide near Crave Restaurant and Lounge early Sunday morning, Dolsen said. Crave is only two blocks from the chapel.

Dolsen said the “safe and warm” environment in the chapel hopefully made students feel more than welcome. She added the casual atmosphere made this presentation “a nice way to interact on a positive note (with the students).”

Wendorf said all events in the chapel are open to the entire student body. He saw this initiative as a chance to “serve the campus in a unique way.”

UW junior Natalie Schuler said she hadn’t planned to attend the event until a friend suggested it that night, but she was glad she came.

“I think that safety is always something that is good to keep refreshed on,” she said.