Emergency Phone Numbers

• Emergencies (Police, Fire, or Medical): 911
  If you are using a cell phone, call 510-642-3333.
• University of California Police Department: 642-6760
• Berkeley Police Department: 981-3473
• Berkeley Fire Department: 981-5980

Crime

If you are the victim of a crime, observe a crime or suspicious behavior, call the U.C. Police department immediately at 642-6760; from a cellphone, call 642-3333. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.

After calling the police, please call the Resident Advisor. The RA keeps a log of crimes that take place on the grounds and issues ‘Crime Alerts’ when necessary.

Fire Safety

• All apartments are equipped with smoke detectors. It is important for the safety of your family that these remain in good working order.
• If your smoke detector is not working (it is a good idea to test it monthly), please contact the Office so that it can be repaired or replaced.
• If you live in buildings E, H, or J and your smoke detector goes off accidentally:
  • Immediately open the doors and windows to clear the smoke.
  • There is no shut-off switch and there are no batteries to disconnect, so the only way to stop it is to clear the smoke from the detector.
  • The fire department will be summoned automatically if the heat sensor is triggered in an apartment for more than two minutes.
• If you live in buildings F or G and your smoke detector goes off accidentally:
  • DO NOT open your door to clear the smoke from a false alarm. The fire department will be summoned automatically if the smoke detector in the hallway is set off.
  • The smoke detectors in the bedrooms are battery operated and not connected to the Fire Panel, so they do not summon the fire department.
• Please remember to call the Fire Department whenever you suspect a fire, DO NOT rely on the fire detection system to notify them. By law when the fire alarm is activated, everyone must evacuate the building even if you believe there is no real fire.

Earthquakes

A serious earthquake could occur during your stay here; the Hayward fault runs through the property, above the lower field area. After an earthquake, you should be prepared to live for several days without electricity, running water and with little or no outside help (Dwight Way may not be passable).

At a minimum, all residents should keep a supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day is recommended), one or more flashlights per adult with extra fresh batteries, and a first aid kit. Plastic jugs of water can be purchased at local supermarkets. Water that is stored should be replaced once or twice a year.

At least one flashlight should be kept near your bed; you will need it close at hand if an earthquake occurs while you are asleep, as the floor may be littered with broken glass. Also be sure that shoes for all family members are easily accessible. Again, the floor and ground outside are likely to be covered with broken glass and debris.

Do not run outside during an earthquake; you risk injury from falling objects. Rather, get yourself and family members under a desk or table. (It is a good idea for children to practice this ahead of time). Once the shaking has stopped, leave your apartment and gather outside your building. Please try to stay calm.

After you have made sure your family is all right, look around and see what kind of help is necessary. A preliminary assessment of injuries, damages and what kind of help is needed should rapidly be communicated to the Resident Advisor, Office Assistant or the Manager, who will be in touch with central campus authorities. In a major event, volunteers will be needed to direct traffic and carry messages and supplies. If you are able to help, please come forward.

After everyone in the buildings has been accounted for, residents should report to the lower field, where any further evacuation will be planned.

If you are interested in helping other residents after a disaster, and especially if you are certified in adult and/or infant CPR, please let the RA, Office Assistant & building reps know (see list of building reps on page 28). The more prepared each building is before a disaster, the better off each resident will be.

The site manager coordinates annual disaster preparedness meetings. All residents are welcome. During these meetings you can pick up brochures and tips that will help you be prepared in case of a major earthquake.

Crime Prevention

Generally, there has been very little crime at Smyth-Fernwald. Despite the pastoral natural setting of the complex, it is only a few blocks from a vibrant urban center. Residents should exercise the same caution about their personal security that they would in any large city.

It is vital that you get to know your neighbors as soon as possible and that you at least recognize the occupants of your building. The Residents Association can help fund building-wide social gatherings so that you can get to know your neighbors better.

If you observe suspicious persons, call the campus police immediately at 642-6760, or 642-3333 over a cell phone. Someone is suspicious not because of their race or style of dress, but because they are behaving in a suspicious manner; hanging around a building or parking lot without appearing to be visiting anyone or sitting in a parked car. In the past, prompt action by residents has resulted in several arrests.

Do not let people you are not sure of into your apartment; they may be there to case the apartment and obtain your phone number with the intention of coming back when you are not home to rip you off. All U.C. employees should be wearing a uniform or carrying an ID Card. Always insist on proper identification from anyone (phone company, cable company, maintenance, etc.) who wishes to enter your apartment.

Some outdoor bike racks are available for residents use as well as the storage room in G building. Since bicycle thefts have been common in the past, we recommend that residents use the bicycle storage room.

Make sure that cars are securely locked. Do not leave personal items in cars (ex: CD’s, briefcases, purses and wallets, etc.), as this might entice would-be vandals to break into your car. You might consider investing in a car alarm or a steering wheel lock device to deter car thefts.

If you enter or leave the complex especially late at night, never jeopardize your own safety by approaching individuals who are behaving suspiciously. If you observe such behavior, you have at least two options. If you feel safe doing so, park your car and quickly go to your apartment and call UC Police or 911. If you do not feel safe leaving the protection of your car, turn around, leave the complex and find a telephone from which you feel safe calling the UC Police or 911.

There are three emergency call boxes on the site: lower parking lot, outside G laundry room, at J parking lot. All are identified by a blue light. When a community comes together against such crimes, criminals sense that unity and generally move on to another, easier target.