University of Michigan - Flint

The Department of Public Safety maintains a communications office, open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.  The department patrols campus buildings, parking lots, ramps, and all other campus grounds. Patrols are conducted by officers on foot, in motor vehicles, or by electric carts. The patrols are supplemented by closed circuit television cameras strategically located throughout campus. Patrols of the campus are conducted 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

There are 124 emergency phones and 26 courtesy phones strategically placed for use around campus.  These phones immediately connect you to safety personnel when picked up. 

The security employees assist with the many service functions of the department and the prevention of crime through patrols and preventive techniques. The police employees are deputized as sworn, certified police officers who enforce laws and make arrests when a situation calls for such action.


Escorts

Escort service is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week for all members of the University of Michigan-Flint community. If you need an escort, call the department and give your name, location, and destination. A safety employee will be glad to meet you and walk you to your car or other campus destination.


The Department of Public Safety offers the following safety tips:

• If possible, avoid studying alone. Always let someone know where you are and an approximate time when you will be finished.
• Keep your purse in a locked cabinet or locker. Never place your valuables in a highly visible area.
• Keep your personal belongings in view at all times. Never leave them, even for a moment, to use the restroom or get a drink.
• Never prop open doors, especially fire doors.
• If you observe an individual in the improperly designated restroom, leave immediately.
• If you observe a suspicious person, report it to the Department of Public Safety.
• Always walk with another person. Never walk alone to your car at night. If a classmate is not available, call the Department of Public Safety and request an escort.
• Learn the locations of the blue light emergency telephones on campus.
• Walk on designated walkways that are well lit. Report poor lighting to the Department of Public Safety. Avoid shortcuts through the park, vacant lots, and other deserted places.
• Know the location of the Department of Public Safety and other safe areas.
  If you suspect that you are being followed, turn or cross the street. If you are being followed, use a blue light emergency phone or campus phone to call the Department of Public Safety. Find a safe area to proceed to, such as an office, highly visible area, or a place where there are people who can see you.
• Do not leave valuables, like your wallet, purse, or radar detector, in open view. Conceal or leave the items in a safe place, such as in a locker or trunk of your car.
• Do not give your keys away. Keys can be duplicated. Always keep your keys in your possession.
• Engrave valuables with your name and/or driver's license number. University property should have serial numbers recorded and possess a university inventory tag.
• Require photo identification from maintenance and utility workers prior to allowing them access to your house or office. Verify that the workers have authorization to remove items from the office or your home.
• Report all thefts immediately.
• Keep police and fire emergency numbers near your phone.
• Do not let a stranger into your house, even if the stranger states that it is an emergency. Instead, offer to make a call for help.
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings when walking outdoors.
• Purses should be carried close to the body and secured under one arm, not swung from the strap.
• Do not walk, jog, or run alone, especially after dark.
  Do not hitchhike.
• Leave a light on at home when you are away. An inexpensive timer on several lights could discourage a break-in.
• Make arrangements with your neighbors or other neighboring office staff when you will be away from your home or office. Ask them to keep an eye on the place. Arrange for someone to retrieve your mail and discontinue newspaper delivery until you return.
• Transfer telephone calls to a neighbor or friend.
• Walk with confidence. Show that you are aware and in control. Body language works!

For more information on safety services, visit the Department of Public Safety website