Between keeping up with academics and your social life, it can be tempting to put concerns about your personal safety on the back burner. While UMBC is generally a safe campus, we are not a sanctuary from crime or accidents. Residential Life staff works with the UMBC Police and other campus offices to reduce risks to your personal safety and security. Like anywhere else in the world, personal safety is largely dependent on your preventive and precautionary efforts.
The UMBC Police Department publishes material in the form of lectures, films, bulletins, crime alert posters, brochures, and university staff and student newspapers about various topics which include police services, general crime operations, rape awareness, and sexual assault. UMBC Police Officers are available to give presentations on these topics. For more information, please check out their website at http://police.umbc.edu/.
Contacting UMBC Police
- In Case of Emergency: For immediate responses dial x55555
- Emergency Phones: There are emergency phones installed around the campus along sidewalks and buildings. Look for a telephone with a blue light above it. These phones connect directly to our department. Click here to see the location of these phones.
UMBC Safety Resources
- Sign up for UMBC Emergency Text Alerts
- View Personal Safety Information
- View Emergency Responses at UMBC Information
Security Advice for Students
The University takes steps that contribute toward maintaining a safer and more secure environment. However, a truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of all its community members. Use the tips below to help you stay and be safe on campus.
Do Not Let Others into Your Building
Do not let others into your building or onto residential floors, stairwells, elevators, etc. unless you know them as residents of your building. Anyone you can’t identify as a resident of your building should be asked to use an outside telephone to call the resident they are coming to visit. Close and latch any door you may find propped. Immediately confront and/or report anyone you see letting strangers into your building or propping a door. Keep your room doors and windows closed and locked when you leave the space.
Do Not Put Yourself at Risk or in Potentially Dangerous Situation
Plan so that you run your errands and end your outings at an early hour, when more people are out and about. Plan and use the safest route, not necessarily the shortest one. Make sure roommates or friends know your plans, including how and when you’ll get back home.
If you are Victimized
If you are victimized contact police immediately by calling (410) 455-5555 from any phone. Tell the dispatcher where you are located and what happened to you. Stay on the phone until you are told it is okay to hang up. Stay in your same location, if it is safe to do so, until Police arrive. Provide additional information to Police as you learn it or recall it.
If you Feel Unsafe
Feelings of safety are important in the place where you live. Should you encounter a situation where you don’t feel safe please remember that you are not alone. You are encouraged to notify your Resident Assistant, Community Director, or the on-call staff who can be reached through the community desk.
If you See Something, Say Something
If you see something, say something. Immediately report suspicious persons or activity to Police. Don’t make judgments about what may or may not be a serious situation and don’t assume that someone else has called the police. Calls to Police (410-455-5555) are taken by a dispatcher whose first job is to have uniformed Police respond to the scene to assess the situation. The dispatcher will ask your name and address, and investigating officers may request to talk with you later. Information can also be given anonymously.
Program your Cellular Phone
From a cellular phone, UMBC Police can be reached at (410) 455-5555. Take time now to pre-program this number into your cellular phone. If you call 911 from a cellular phone, you will reach Baltimore County Police and you should ask to be transferred to UMBC Police.
Know What to Do if approached
It is not necessary, and may not be advisable, to confront someone who has a weapon or is angry enough to inflict harm on another person. If you should come upon a situation like this, as naturally as possible, move away to your room, a friend’s room, a group of people, a well-lighted area, etc. Then, call Police at (410) 455-5555 or 911.