A Message from Ken Krouse, Chief of University of Maryland Department of Public Safety To the Campus Community

Located in the midst of a major metropolitan area, the University of Maryland is a bustling community of more than 35,000 students and 12,000 employees. As many as 60,000 individuals may be on campus during athletic and other events. While we work hard to foster a safe and secure environment, several serious incidents on and near campus serve as a reminder that our campus is not totally immune from the types of incidents that occur in any community of similar size. Becoming educated about the risks inherent in this environment and the resources available to reduce those risks is an integral component of increasing personal safety.

The University of Maryland places the highest priority on safety. This institution is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. To this end, the university has provided substantial institutional resources to maintain this safe and secure environment.

Regrettably, no area has the capability of providing a completely crime free environment. Institutions of higher education such as the University of Maryland are impacted by the crime trends of surrounding areas even though efforts to preclude criminal encroachment are conducted in a vigorous manner. The recent shooting on campus is a source of great concern for the campus community, the University Administration as well as the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In response to this incident, the Department of Public Safety has instituted steps to provide heightened security in the area, to identify and arrest the perpetrators, and to allay fears of the students, faculty, and staff on campus. Our investigators are working tirelessly, interviewing witnesses, processing evidence, and collaborating with our colleagues from law enforcement agencies in the area in an attempt to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this crime. All of the resources of the Department of Public Safety have been reallocated to assist in solving this case and to enhance the security of the University of Maryland campus. The following are some of the initiatives that have been instituted to provide support and security to the residents of the campus community, as well as what each of us in the community can do as individuals to prevent crime, report criminal and suspicious activity, and assist those who may be victimized by crimes.

PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES:

Increased patrols on campus during peak activity periods between 9:30 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.;

Assigned a squad of officers to a dedicated patrol in the southern portion of campus during the evening hours;

Safety Escort Service available by police personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 301-405-3555;

Mobilized the Local Area Criminal Investigators Network in an effort to develop information on the suspects;

Reviewing tapes from all of our CCTV assets for any evidence that may have been captured by that system;

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Immediately report suspicious activity to Public Safety;

Utilize campus resources such as the Escort Service, NITE Ride, and Blue Light Emergency Phones to reduce the threat of victimization;

Utilize well lit, well traveled areas during evening hours;

Avoid traveling alone, particularly in the evening hours;

Lock the door to the room/vehicle you are in at all times;

Limit your alcohol intake and avoid people who don't;

Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts regarding behavior that puts you at risk;

Become informed regarding campus incidents by visiting the Public Safety website at www.umpd.umd.edu

IF YOU ARE VICTIMIZED:

Contact the police immediately, Dial 911 from a campus phone or 301-405-3333 from a cell or pay phone;

Provide all details about the crime to police;

Provide additional information to police as you learn of it;

Stay on the phone with the police until told it is okay to hang up;

Warn others of problem areas;

Familiarize yourself with other resources available to victims as contained in the Safety and Security Brochure that was recently mailed, and also available at www.umpd.umd.edu.