Responsibility for a crime lies with the person committing it; however, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing crime. Read these prevention tips to learn more.
- Call 911 immediately if you ever feel you are in an emergency situation.
View Safety Guide for Students & Parents
-
The University Police Department (UUPD) cares about our students, and we seek opportunities to get to know you better. We hope you also will find opportunities to become familiar with who we are and what we can do for you.
The UUPD, a division of University DPS, is committed to constant growth and development. Our progress includes expanded resources, more highly specialized personnel, and extensive training. Some of our resources include:
• Patrol Unit (40+ POST-Certified Police Officers)
• Crime Victim Advocate Program
• K9 Unit
• Community Outreach Program
• Investigations Unit
• On-Campus Dispatch Center
-
The University of Utah has many resources available to meet the needs of our students.
The Feed U Pantry inside the Union Building is open to all University of Utah students, faculty, and staff with a current University of Utah ID Card.
The UUPD and Campus Security are always resources to students and families.
-
The Safe Ride program provides rides to and from any location on campus. This service is available Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 12:30am. Users can schedule a trip using the TransLoc App. From Research Park call (801) 231-9058.
The Campus Security Escort program provides a ride or walking escort from anywhere on campus to anywhere on campus. Available 24 / 7 / 365. Campus Security is also available for motorist assistance.
-
• For first dates, meet in a public location; consider bringing along a friend.
• Group dates, especially for a first date, are fun – and safer!
• Going out with someone you don’t know well – let a friend know where you are going, whom you will be with, and check in when you return home. Share your location through your maps app on your phone with a trusted friend or family member.
• If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe on a date – leave. If you need to, text a friend. You may also text 911 for help.
• Do not share your location on social media except with close friends or family; this
• could enable harassment or stalking.
• Be careful of engaging in any sexual relationships online. Scammers will often record these and demand money.
-
Be cautious with all emails, text messages, and online transactions. Do not assume that the sender is legitimate or honest.
Very common scams include:
• Job Offer Scam – Victims receive an unsolicited email from a scammer posing as a “professor” offering a work opportunity or needing a student assistant. The scammer may use a real professor’s information to make the scam seem legitimate. Responding to these emails often lead to identity theft or loss of your money.
• Imposter Scam – Victims receive an email or telephone call from a someone posing as a police officer, FBI or IRS agent, immigration official, university official, etc. The scammer will use the threat of arrest, deportation, fines, etc. if money is not paid. These are almost always a scam. Legitimate government agencies or universities will never ask for money this way.
• Deposit Scam – Victims will be tricked into depositing a check into their own personal bank account and then wiring money back to the scammer. These checks
are usually fraudulent and worthless. Victim is now responsible for paying back any money lost by the bank.
• Gift Card Scam – Victims will be tricked into purchase gift cards (Amazon, Apple, Visa, Green Dot, etc.) and giving the scammer the gift card code number via telephone, text, or email. The victim’s money is now gone.
• Sexual Extortion Scam – Victims will be encouraged by a scammer (pretending to be interested in a relationship) into engaging in sexual acts over webcam or cell phone. Victim later receives an email demanding money to keep the acts, which scammer has recorded, private.
-
• Always lock the door to your dormitory, apartment, or house.
• Do not prop dormitory doors open.
• Do not leave the windows to your residence unlocked or open at night. If you do, use a window security bar or lock.
• Do not allow people that you do not know into your residence.
• Let a trusted friend or family member know if you will be away for a period of time.
-
• It is your right to decide who you have physical relations with. Your consent is YOURS to give.
• Consent is unambiguous and voluntary, and can be withdrawn at any time. If there is no consent, or consent is refused – it is sexual assault.
• If you feel you have experienced any sexual misconduct, the UUPD can be a resource to you. If you do not wish to make a report with police, help is available from other campus and community resources.
• Be careful of engaging in any sexual relationships online. Scammers will often record these and demand money.
-
• Be kind to everyone – it is very easy to do.
• Be open to new friends, new ideas, and new activities – just do them safely!
• Leave the drama behind. Surround yourself with good people who uplift you and honor your values.
• Get involved! There are many exciting events and organizations at the University of Utah.
• Find a good support system with people you can lean on – especially when you may be feeling stressed, upset, or depressed.
• The University of Utah has many support organizations with friends who are eager to help.
• Enjoy all the wonderful things that Salt Lake City and Utah have to offer.
-
• Sharing too much personal information on social media is dangerous.
• Do not send photos, videos, or posts that may embarrass or hurt you later. Once they’re on the web, they’re on the web forever.
• Location sharing on social media could enable harassment or stalking. Only allow trusted friends or family to follow where you are.
-
• Many students are away from home for the first time, and some lack life experience. As college students, you are now adults and must understand that your behaviors can have adult repercussions.
• UUPD may not, unless for exigent health and safety exceptions, share a student’s protected information – even with parents or families. Learn more about FERPA here.
• UUPD are always available to discuss or address safety concerns with parents or family members regarding their student.
-
• The first 6 weeks of college are a very high-risk time for first-year students.
• Peer pressure is still a thing – even in college.
• Drink responsibly; alcohol and drugs can substantially impair decision making.
• Before drinking, make a plan with friends to keep an eye on each other.
• Have a plan to get out of a situation where you may be cornered or pressured into doing something you do not want to do.
• If you are of legal age and plan on drinking…
BEFORE GOING TO A PARTY
• Leave any excess valuables that you won’t need at home.
• Designate a sober friend.
• Set a drinking limit, tell your friends, and stick to it.
AT THE PARTY
• Look around, not everyone drinks – it’s okay not to drink.
• If you’re the designated friend, watch out for your buddies; do not let them leave alone or with a stranger.
• Do not assume an unconscious or passed out person will “sleep it off” – call 911.
• Switch between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Watch your drink. If you set a drink down and leave the area, throw the cup away – you don’t know if something was put in it while you were away. Likewise, don’t
trust a drink that you did not pour or did not watch someone else make in front of you.
• Leave with a sober friend (or two), especially if you’ve been drinking in the last hour. Your blood alcohol level will continue to rise for 20 to 40 minutes after your last drink.
LEAVING THE PARTY
• Leave with the friends you attended the party with.
• Know who is around you, and stay in well-lit areas.
• Trust your instincts, and call for a ride if you feel uneasy about walking home at night.
• Know the name of the street you’re walking on and your direction of travel. If you need an emergency response, you will need to know your location.
• Let your friends know where you are going and when you expect to get there. If something does happen, someone will know the path you took and they can inform emergency responders.
-
• Utah state traffic laws are observed and enforced on campus.
• Vehicles must be registered and insured or they are subject to traffic fines and/or impounds.
• Honor the posted traffic signs and speed limits on campus. There are many pedestrians, trains, buses, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and other vehicles on campus at all times of the day and night.
• You are responsible for safely operating your wheeled device on campus bicycle paths.
• The speed limit for all wheeled devices on the campus bike paths and lanes is 10 mph.
• An electric (e-bike) bicycle is classified under Utah law as a bicycle. E-bikes are subject to the same operating rules as a non-motorized bicycle.
• Bicycles and other property can be registered with UUPD. This will make it easier to recover your property if it is stolen.
-
• The University of Utah enforces state law regulating firearms on campus.
• Utah state law prohibits dangerous weapons on school premises; individuals who have been issued a permit to carry a concealed firearm are exempt.
Crime Prevention
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions, especially when walking alone. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is safety in numbers.
- Let a family member or friend know when you’re going somewhere and your estimated time of arrival or return. This allows them to notify police as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
- Remember, most crimes are committed in response to the opportunity, so the best prevention is to eliminate opportunities.
- Use the U’s SafeRide program or a courtesy escort (Main campus: 801-585-2677; University Hospital: 801-581-2294) to get around campus.
- Lock your door.
- No tailgating—don’t hold the door to let others in the building if you’re unsure if they live in the community.
- Always escort your guests in and out of the building.
- Don't loan your keys or UCard to others.
- Use the U’s SafeRide program or a courtesy escort (Main campus: 801-585-2677; University Hospital: 801-581-2294) to get around campus.
- Lock doors and windows.
- Keep your valuables out of sight. Lock up wallets, purses, jewelry, and other valuables.
- Develop a relationship with neighbors and coworkers and check in on one another often.
- Never leave your backpack, purse, or belongings unattended.
- Record the serial numbers for laptops, cameras, and other devices as this can aid in recovering stolen property.
- If you need to leave belongings in the car, put them in the trunk so they are out of sight.
- Lock the doors and make sure that the vehicle and the windows are closed.
- Do not leave money or any visible item in your vehicle.
- Use a U-lock to secure your bike.
- Do not use inexpensive locks, they can easily be cut.
- Register your bike with U Police.
- Keep pictures of your bicycle and document your bicycle serial number as this can aid in recovering stolen property.
- Wait for your ride in a safe place. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas.
- Make sure you are getting into the right car by matching the license plate, car make, and model, and the driver to information provided by the ride-sharing app.
- Ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car.
- Sit in the back seat, especially if you’re riding alone.
- Wear your seat belt.
- Share your trip details with a family member or friend. This allows them to notify police as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
- Do not share personal information with the driver.
- If you feel unsafe, end the ride at any time. Trust your gut if anything feels off.
SAFETY AND WELLNESS
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas. Hike in groups whenever you can—there is safety in numbers.
- Pay attention to the trail and where you step.
- Do not venture off designated trails.
- Use GPS or physical maps to help you know where you’re going and how to leave.
- Get to know the trails and do not underestimate them.
- Use a helmet.
- Avoid excessive speed, which is often associated with crashes.
- Make sure you learn proper riding techniques and make sure you have good tires that are properly inflated in order to decrease the chance of “washing out” on curves.
ONLINE SAFETY
- Lock your screen when stepping away from your computer.
- When posting photographs and information on the Web, consider the information you might unwittingly be giving a predator, such as your name, appearance, addresses, school names, etc.
- Do not give personal information (Account numbers, Social Security number, PIN, etc.) to anyone unless you know they are legitimately entitled to have such information.
- Back up computer data. If a computer is stolen, the loss of the data on the computer is very often more interruptive to you and potentially more valuable than the loss of the computer. Set up a routine for backing the data and be faithful in keeping to it. Store the back-up away from the computer, preferably off-site. Consider password-protecting documents containing personal information.
- Protect files, email, financial accounts, and other accounts with strong passwords. Strong passwords are not found in a dictionary; they contain a mixture of characters and are not easily identified. You might consider a sentence that is easy for you to remember and use a combination of characters from that sentence. For example, the sentence might be: As a student, I lived @ 756 Main St. Using the first letter of each word and the numbers, the password becomes aasIl@756MS. Be careful not to reveal the password or the sentence to anyone.
- If possible, use only your university-issued device for work. These devices are managed and have additional security controls in place to better protect you and your data. Do not let friends or family use university-owned devices.
- Stay on a private, secure Wi-Fi network. Do not use public computers for work, and avoid using public Wi-Fi. If public Wi-Fi is your only option, use a virtual private network (VPN) to create a private encrypted connection between your computer and the university's network.
- Stay vigilant for phishing attacks. Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, visits, or email messages from people asking about employees or other internal information. If an unknown individual claim seems to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify that person's identity directly with the company.
- Do not reveal personal or financial information in email and do not respond to email solicitations for information. If you are suspicious of an email, don't hesitate to forward it to phish@utah.edu
- Scams can lead to identity theft, regular theft, access to your accounts and personal information, and compromised computers. Learn about how to spot them here.
EMERGENCIES
- The University of Utah has an Emergency Response Guide to increase the U’s capabilities to respond to hazards that threaten the campus and to prevent or reduce the impact of hazards on the community. Check the complete guide here.
RUN: The second you think you hear gunshots, run. Look for the nearest exit and run away from the gun sounds. Help others and get out. When you’re clear of the building and in a safe place, call 911 and provide as much detail as possible.
HIDE: If you can’t run, hide. First, do anything you can to block the door. Just slowing down the shooter could save your life. Don’t all bunch together. If someone’s been shot, stop the bleeding. Turn off the lights and silence your cellphones. You can text the police at 911.
FIGHT: When you have no options left, fight. Fight dirty—throw stuff as hard as you can. Tackle the shooter high and low. Subdue the gun. Gouge the eyes. Make a plan and work together.
Find more information here.
It is possible that during your time at the University of Utah, you could receive a Campus Alert instructing you to either secure-in-place or shelter-in-place. You should know the difference between the two warnings.
You should secure-in-place during violence, threat of violence, when an active assailant has been reported or is nearby, or otherwise when instructed to do so by Campus Alerts and emergency personnel. When it is necessary to secure-in-place, you will be the safest by placing a locked door or other barricade between you and the associated threat. To minimize vulnerability, turn off lights, silence phones, draw blinds, and move away from windows. Await further instructions from Campus Alerts and emergency personnel. Do Not leave until an "All Clear" is received.
Shelter-in-Place incidents are usually weather related emergencies, they can be utility related. Be prepared to shelter for a matter of hours. When it is necessary to shelter-in-place, you will be safest by moving inside to a building space, above ground, that protects you from the danger. Try to avoid spaces with windows. Do not lock doors behind you as others may also need to shelter-in-place. The specifics of shelter-in-place procedures such as which locations in a building are the safest-depend on the type of weather emergency or natural disaster that is occurring. Follow instructions from Campus Alerts and emergency personnel.
If evacuation is necessary:
- Alert people in area to evacuate.
- Shutdown critical equipment if time permits.
- Activate fire alarm pull station, when present.
- Proceed calmly to assembly point – check in with supervisor.
- Call 911 if life is threatened.
- Have a person knowledgeable about the incident meet emergency response personnel.
- Do not re-enter building unless instructed by emergency response personnel.
Emergency Evacuation Chairs
Stryker evacuation chairs are strategically placed in University buildings to aid evacuation of individuals with mobility impairment. Evacuation chairs are fold-up chairs, which allow for people with permanent or temporary mobility limitations to be evacuated quickly during an emergency. Contact OEHS to request an evacuation chair at 801-581-6590.
Resources
How to make a police report?
To make a police report, call the University of Utah Police at 801-585-2677 and ask to speak with an officer. This request will create a call log, which will show the date, time, and nature of your complaint. After speaking with an officer, you will receive instructions on next steps.
How can I register my bicycle or electronic devices?
We recommend using the U Police online property registration system to record the serial number of valuable property such as bikes and laptops. This will make it easier to recover your property if it is stolen. To register your bicycle, click here.
Do you have a fingerprinting service?
Yes. Campus Security offers this service by appointment only. More information here.
How can I get information about a police incident I was involved in?
University Police Records maintains and distributes information on any case the department creates. To use this service, call 801-585-2677 and ask for the records unit.
Some of my property was booked into evidence by your department. How do I get it back?
Evidence in cases can vary in time and is normally a case by case situation. Contact U Police at 801-585-2677 for information about your case.
Can I schedule a safety-related presentation?
Yes. University Police offers several safety-related presentations throughout the year. U Police Lieutenant Ryan Speers leads efforts to engage with students and campus partners in safety events and educational projects. Contact Ryan Speers at ryan.speers@utah.edu for initiatives focused on personal safety, mental health, and self-defense. Members of the U community can also schedule presentations online.
I have a question about parking regulations or a parking ticket I received. Who do I talk to?
Parking services is a separate entity from the department of Public Safety. You will need to call Commuter Services at 801-581-6415.