The body of Yale University graduate student Annie Le was found Sunday in the wall of a Yale university research building, showing case-in-point why students must take safety seriously on campus.

The Yale building she was found in had strict accessibility and contained 75 surveillance cameras.

Bruce Burt, executive director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at UD, said that just because UD students go to school here and have a sense of community, it should not exempt them from being cautious and aware of safety issues.

"If you compare us to the rest of Dayton, I feel we're a very safe community here," Burt said. "But I don't want to give a false sense of safety and not practice basic crime prevention."

To avoid serious crimes on campus like the Annie Le story, Burt recommends keeping an eye out for "tailgaters;" those who wait for someone to enter a building so they can gain access to that building by following them in.

Residents do not always question the person's motives for trying to go inside, and instead allow them access to the building without question. If residents ask the visitor how they can help them instead of immediately granting them access they can help make the buildings much safer.

Burt also addressed the mistake of letting uninvited guests into student neighborhood houses.

"I'm seeing more and more situations where students are allowing people into their house assuming they are a friend of someone who is actually there, but really they are not," he said.

There are many measures students can take for crime prevention on campus. The first thing Burt recommends is that every student programs the Public Safety number, 937-229-2121, into his or her cell phone.

"If they are on their cell phone and dial 911 they'll get the city of Dayton or Montgomery County. Public Safety is in a position where we can respond a lot quicker," Burt said.

Along with that important piece of advice, Burt also gave other ways to put safety measures into practice, including reporting any suspicious activity, always locking the door, not leaving valuables unattended (especially in places like the library and the RecPlex,) and not leaving valuables in plain view in the car.

To ensure campus safety and avoid dangerous crimes committed against students, it is important not to walk alone at night and when walking in groups stay in lighted, well visible areas. If solo-walking is the only option, Mom's Limo is available, which will drive students around campus at night to ensure safety. Its number is 937-229-2124. Students are also encouraged to take notice of the blue light security phones and security cameras around campus.

"Our goal is to provide a safe learning and living environment for all of our campus," Burt said. "Students may think we are here to ruin their social life, but that isn't the case at all. We're here to keep our campus and community safe."