Dear UMB Community:

This weekend, we will all set our clocks back one hour. I like to take this opportunity each year to remind our University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community about small steps you can take to stay safe as the days get shorter. I know this email contains a lot of information, but I hope you will take a few minutes to review these important tips and resources:

Be aware of your surroundings. Put away headphones and cellphones when walking outside.

• Walk in groups along well-lit pathways. Avoid dark alleys.
• Lock your vehicle while you’re inside the car and after you leave.
• Leave valuables at home, if possible. If you don’t need it, don’t bring it.
• Swipe your UMID and show it to our security officers when entering buildings. If possible, don’t allow others to “tailgate” in behind you. If someone does come in without swiping, alert our security officers, who are trained to handle these situations.
• If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity to the UMB Police Department (UMBPD) at 410-706-6882. In an emergency, always call 911.

UMBPD also offers a number of resources to our community: 

• Safe Walk is available 24/7 on campus. Call 410-706-6882 and one of our uniformed security officers will be happy to walk with you to your destination. Please note that security officers must be able to access their radios at all times, so they are not able to assist with carrying bags, pushing strollers, or performing other physical activities during a Safe Walk.
• Safe Ride is available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on campus and in neighboring communities. Request a ride through the Mobile UMB app and our dedicated Safe Ride drivers will be there in a jiffy! Please be patient and respectful with our drivers, as Safe Ride times may vary during inclement weather and high-traffic times.
• Vulnerable persons can receive resources and support through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Please fill out the form so we can continue to help our communities in need.
• UMB Alerts are emergency notifications sent to your cellphone, email, Mobile UMB app, and more. Make sure your information is up to date to also receive information about weather-related closings as temperatures drop.
• Active Assailant Preparedness includes important training resources, a 2-minute video with lifesaving information, and more.
• Follow us on social media and subscribe to our monthly public safety newsletter for the latest information about upcoming events, trainings, and goings-on with UMBPD.

For our community members to reach their full potential, they must live, work, and learn in a safe environment. Every UMBPD employee is committed to providing that safe environment for our faculty, staff, and students. By following these safety tips, visiting these websites, and using these resources, you, too, are helping to create a safer UMB.

Sincerely,

Thomas Leone, MSL
UMB Chief of Police