Department of Campus Safety

Help Prevent Door Dings

hes124 — 2013-05-21T11:29:09-06:00

Traffic is busy all over the city, including in parking lots on campus. Many collisions occur in parking lots and none are more frustrating than the “door ding.” After a long day at work, it’s aggravating to return a vehicle to find it damaged.

Campus Safety is asking members of the campus community to please respect the property of others and park carefully to avoid car door impacts. Door dings can be costly and lead to countless insurance claims, which impact rates for everyone. If accidental damage does occur, Campus Safety reminds drivers they are required to provide information to the owner of the damaged vehicle the same as is required in a motor vehicle collision. A note under the windshield wiper with a contact name and phone number along with the vehicle make and licence plate number is recommended. Campus Safety can also be contacted, at 306-966-5555, to assist in contacting the owner of the other vehicle.

Operation Overdrive Targets Impaired Drivers

hes124 — 2013-05-08T13:03:43-06:00

May 6th, 2013 from SGI

Law enforcement across the province, including U of S Campus Safety, are taking part in a traffic safety blitz targeting impaired driving this week.

Operation Overdrive, taking place May 8 and 9 province-wide, will see police going into overdrive to apprehend drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. As the number one contributing factor to fatal collisions, impaired driving is a serious traffic safety issue in Saskatchewan.

“With so many options available to get home safely, there’s simply no excuse to risk killing yourself or another innocent road user by driving impaired,“ said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. “Plan a safe ride home. Choose a designated driver, call a designated driving service, call a cab, take the bus or use SGI’s free Safe Ride App.”
Last year in Saskatchewan, impaired driving contributed to nearly 1,300 collisions, resulting in 59 deaths and more than 700 injuries1.

“People who drink and drive aren’t just choosing for themselves; their decisions and actions can take someone else’s life or change it forever,” said Chief Troy Hagen, President of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police. “With our partners, we will continue diligent enforcement of the laws, but true progress comes with changing attitude toward drinking and driving and making this recklessness forever unacceptable.”
Operation Overdrive will be held in conjunction with a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) event occurring in Weyburn, resulting in a concentrated effort in that area.

During the Operation Overdrive blitz last May, law enforcement issued more than 1,300 tickets, including 50 impaired driving charges.

Now that spring is finally here, motorists are reminded there will be more vehicles on the road, including bicycles, motorcycles and campers, so please take extra care, drive safely and never drink and drive.

Campus Safety eyes aggressive drivers

hes124 — 2013-04-22T13:50:21-06:00

SGI News Release April 19, 2013

Motorists who exhibit aggressive driving behaviours on Saskatchewan roads will be held accountable for their actions during Operation Spring Brake.

The traffic safety blitz will take place April 24 and 25 across the province. Law enforcement will be putting the brakes on violations such as speeding, driving too fast for road conditions, running red lights, not stopping at stop signs, stunting, racing or passing to the right on a highway.

In 2012, aggressive driving contributed to more than 8,200 collisions in Saskatchewan, resulting in 88 deaths and nearly 4,200 injuries.

Be Careful of Internet Fraud

hes124 — 2013-04-15T12:09:21-06:00

Whenever you are buying or selling items online, whether they be goods or services, make sure to be cautious of any deals that sounds too good to be true, or require you to send money back for an overpayment.

If you are looking to rent a place for the summer or are looking for accommodations for university, make every effort to ensure the legitimacy of the deal.

Should you be interested in campus residence, contact the Residence Office for any questions regarding securing accommodation in U of S Residences; do not send funds electronically to unconfirmed individuals.

Help Identify the Artist

hes124 — 2013-04-11T08:57:07-06:00

Campus Safety is looking for assistance in identifying an artist who is responsible for the below image, and may have information regarding a campus incident. If you know or are familiar with this or similar art, please contact Campus Safety at 306-966-5555.

Saskatoon Police Service Update - Escaped Inmate Arrested

hes124 — 2013-04-10T08:27:55-06:00

The following news release was issued by Saskatoon Police Service last evening....

Escaped inmate Steven Best has been arrested at 10:25 PM, after being seen in a vehicle in downtown Saskatoon. The arrest was made without incident by utilizing Patrol members, K9 and the Air Support Unit

Escaped Inmate - RUH

hes124 — 2013-04-09T08:02:14-06:00

At Approximately 0555 a.m. a serving prisoner escaped from his guards at the Royal University Hospital. Twenty-Nine year old Steven Best is 5 ft 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 175 pounds with blue eyes and blond hair. He was serving a sentence for weapons offences and was awaiting sentencing on robbery charges. It is unknown what he is wearing.

If seen do not approach and call 911. Police are still at scene and more updates will be released as the situation develops.

Obstructed windows - Risky and pricey

hes124 — 2013-03-28T12:21:50-06:00

Large variances in temperature can cause vehicle windows to become fogged or ice covered, which can lead to reduced visibility and make driving difficult. Operating a motor vehicle without a clear view of the road and area around you can lead to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or objects near the roadway.

Driving without a clear view can also lead to a $125 fine.

Please plan ahead and scrape all your windows clear and allow fog and mist to disappear before driving.

Valentine's Traffic Project Results

hes124 — 2013-03-04T09:31:21-06:00

U of S Peace Officers wrote ten tickets to drivers in relation to SGI's Operation Crossroads on February 14th and 15th. Over 400 tickets were issued to drivers across the province for various offences:

147 for disobeying red lights/stop signs
three for failing to yield to pedestrians
15 for pedestrians disobeying walk signal
53 cellphone violations
61 seatbelt violations
78 speeding violations
seven for prohibited driving
one for impaired driving
57 various other infractions

How to Report Suspicious Activity

hes124 — 2013-03-01T09:09:36-06:00

If you witness a crime or suspicious activity, call Campus Safety immediately and report what you observed (306-966-5555 or just 5555 on campus).

Use these tips to help when calling:

Do not confront the subject or subjects; be a good witness.
Provide Campus Safety with a physical description of the subject; scars, facial hair and tattoos help identify subjects.
Provide Campus Safety with a detailed clothing description of what the subject was wearing, such as, red shirt, blue baseball cap, white tennis shoes.
Provide Campus Safety with how many subjects were involved and their gender. Inform Campus Safety of any vehicles that were involved and their description.
Vehicle descriptions are very important; licence plate number, make of vehicle, colour, condition of vehicle and any bumper stickers or distinguishing items on the vehicle.
If vehicles or subjects leave the area, provide Campus Safety with the last known direction of travel.
Stay on the telephone as long as possible with police.
Providing name and call back number would help Campus Safety in case they need to contact you for further information or in case your call is disconnected.

Valentine's Traffic Blitz

hes124 — 2013-02-13T18:04:00-06:00

Campus Safety wants to make sure you get home safely to your loved ones this Valentine's Day.

Officers on campus, as well as participating agencies province-wide, will be watching intersections for for driving infractions this February 14th and 15th. Whether trying to get to your date on time, or picking up a last minute bouquet of flowers, please remember to proceed safely through every intersection and come to complete stops at all stop signs.

Obscured Vehicle Windows

hes124 — 2013-01-11T13:03:08-06:00

Campus Safety will be watching for drivers with obscured windows on January 17th and 18th and issuing tickets to motorists who's vision is impeded. Please ensure you always clear your windows of snow and ice, and do not drive your vehicle until interior fogging has disappeared.

Keeping Safe This Holiday

hes124 — 2012-12-17T16:07:38-06:00

While celebrating this holiday season, U of S Campus Safety would like to remind everyone to take heed of themselves, and those around, when consuming alcohol:

Don't leave your drink unattended.
Know your limits. Don't over drink just to keep up with the crowd.
Don't Drink and Drive. Bring a designated driver, or take a cab!
Bring friends with you who also know their limits, or ones who do not drink at all.
Never get into a car with a stranger!
Stay hydrated: Drink one non-alcoholic drink for every alcoholic drink you have.
Drink slowly, and don't drink on an empty stomach.
Stop drinking if you start to feel drunk!

Remember: The Saskatoon Police Service will be running check stops throughout the month and Campus Safety will be patrolling campus 24/7 over the holidays looking for drunk drivers. Drive safely, party safely, and we will see you in the new year!

Results from Traffic Blitz

hes124 — 2012-11-23T14:09:57-06:00

Campus Safety surveyed over 900 vehicles on November 14th and 15th during the traffic blitz where drivers were assessed for their seatbelt and mobile device while on campus roadways. Officers issued six tickets for use of an electronic communication device while driving, one ticket for obstructed view, and one for disobey stop sign.

That is good news for the campus community as the vast majority of motorists were found to be driving safely and wearing their seatbelt.

Nov 14th and 15th Traffic Blitz

hes124 — 2012-11-08T07:46:12-06:00

Campus Safety will be participating in "Operation Hang Up... Buckle Up" next week as part of a province-wide traffic safety blitz. Fines will be given to motorists who are found driving without their seatbelt and/or while using a cellphone.

According to SGI: "Lack of seatbelt use and cellphone use while driving. On average, distracted driving, which includes cellphone use, contributes to more than 9,400 collisions each year, resulting in about 2,400 injuries and 50 deaths. Seven per cent of all injuries and 35 per cent of all fatalities in collisions involve improper seatbelt use, resulting in 448 injuries and 55 fatalities."