Important Safety Message to all McGill students

This is a joint message from Jane Everett, Dean of Students, and Pierre Barbarie, Associate Director, University Safety, to all McGill students.

Please read this message carefully.

We have received a number of emails from students requesting information on reports of assaults said to have taken place in the past week in the area immediately east of the Milton gates (the Milton-Parc area).

According to this information, women walking alone have been assaulted by a man with a knife. Security Services has been in contact with local police, who have advised us that they are investigating a report of one assault.

But regardless of whether the reports are confirmed or proven groundless, we take the safety of our students very seriously and we would like to remind everyone of the following safety measures already in place and of other precautions people should take.

1. Many of you will be staying late on campus these days, to study for your finals. If you leave the campus after dark, and you must walk alone through the Milton-Parc area, please call Walksafe (514-398-2498) for an escort. Walksafe is a student-run volunteer service. They are available Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. to midnight, and, on Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. They work in pairs, have reflective jackets and carry walkie-talkies.

If there is no reply, or they are not available, call Security at 514-398-3000; a Security agent will accompany you to a place from which you can continue your trip home safely.

2. Avoid shortcuts through back lanes, whatever the weather.

3. Beware of opportunistic thieves. Wherever you go, do not carry more cash than you need. Do not carry passports, visas or anything valuable you do not need handy. If a thief demands money, do not resist. Thieves want money, not your school books; so keep your cash, credit card, ID card, driver’s licence and other critical items in a separate folder in a pocket – not in your wallet or handbag. If an individual grabs your purse or backpack, let it go. Your safety and well-being are more important than the value of your belongings.

And as soon as possible, call McGill Security at 514-398-3000, because they can often respond faster than the police. Security will then contact Montreal police.

4. Report anything suspicious to Security at 514-398-3000. They are on campus 24/7. If you are on campus, you can also push the button on any emergency phone marked with a blue light.

To recap:

• Avoid walking alone in the Milton-Parc area after dark.
• Take advantage of Walksafe and Security Services.
• Take precautions as suggested above.
• Make a mental note of the location of emergency phones as you cross the campus.

We will continue to be in close touch with Montreal Police for further information and will update this note as needed.

Please do not hesitate to let us know your concerns. We can be reached at jane.everitt [at] mcgill.ca and pierre.barbarie [at] mcgill.ca