The monthly newsletter includes a message from Chief of Police Thomas Leone plus safety tips, service statistics, public safety partner updates, and more.
To see previous editions of The Public Safety Newsletter, go to the Police and Public Safety website.
Letter from the Chief
Fifty years ago, on July 1, 1975, police officers were sworn in at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) for the first time.
Now, we are celebrating our department's proud history of protecting and serving our students, employees, visitors, and neighbors. As you come to campus, we hope you notice the many ways we're celebrating, including 50-year magnets on our patrol vehicles, historical social media posts, and in-depth articles in The Elm celebrating the milestones that shaped us, and the work we continue today. You'll also see our UMB Police and Public Safety employees wearing baseball hats commemorating the anniversary.
We hope you'll join us in "Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting What Matters: You!"
Sincerely,
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Public Safety Tips and Resources
UNLATCHED DOORS COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES
Leaving through a back or side door? Check to make sure it's closed! If a door doesn't close fully behind you, push it closed and let us know by calling 410-706-6882. Our public safety team will monitor the door until it is fixed.
Thanks for doing your part to help keep our UMB community safe!
BIKE AND SCOOTER SAFETY
The weather is warm (OK, it's down right hot!) and that means more people are taking bikes and scooters to work and class. We love seeing eco-friendly transportation, but make sure to lock it up to keep your belongings safe!
Image source: Bike Auckland
Serving Our Community
FREE FOOD ALERT: SAFETY AWARENESS MEETING
Come for the free lunch, stay for the important safety information! Our next Safety Awareness Meeting is July 30 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 100 N. Greene St. (entrance on West Fayette Street). This month, learn about the department's Use of Force policy and try our hands-on police training simulator. All students, employees, and community members are invited. RSVP to Sgt. Kelli Blackwell at keblackwell@police.umaryland.edu.
FREE FOOD ALERT: JOIN US AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT!
Our annual community-building event is less than a month away! Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the UM BioPark lot at the corner of West Baltimore and Poppleton streets for free food, a video game truck, giveaways, and much more! Everyone is welcome — no RSVP required.
HELP THANK OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM
Have you noticed boxes popping up on security desks across campus? We've placed thank-you cards and pens in many buildings for our 50-year celebration. Please take a moment to thank our team — police, security, police communication operators, and administrative staff — who help keep UMB safe. Learn more.
THEN AND NOW: PUBLIC SAFETY WINNERS OF UMB EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
At least 14 UMB Public Safety employees have been named UMB Employee of the Month since the program was established in 1985. Learn about some of our incredible winners, including one officer who received his award while sporting a fat lip from a scuffle with a purse-snatcher.
THEN AND NOW: THE EVOLUTION OF UMB POLICE DISPATCH
Our police communications operators have been busy learning new systems during critical updates to our dispatch center. The new technology — including cameras, card reader software, and radios — helps make UMB "one of the most advanced collegiate communications centers." Read the story.
UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS: JUNE
Each month, UMB Police and Public Safety provides thousands of valuable services and resources to the communities we serve. In this segment, we highlight the previous month’s data to showcase the work of our employees.
- Average time from Safe Ride request to pickup: 8 minutes, 15 seconds
- Safe Rides given: 1,707
- Building checks: 2,621
- Local business checks: 65
- Garage checks: 661
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal
OUTDOOR COOKING
As summer heats up, so can fire risks!
Warmer weather creates a great atmosphere for grilling and other outdoor cooking. Did you know that the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal has guidelines for outdoor cooking? This guideline outlines where outdoor cooking can take place at UMB and how to extinguish and clean up outdoor cooking appliances.
The Office of the Fire Marshal is an important part of UMB Public Safety. Contact UMB’s fire marshal directly at firemarshal@umaryland.edu.
Image source: U.S. Fire Administration
Public Safety Partner: Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
PREPARING FOR STORMS
Summer heat, thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging wind gusts. Severe weather could be a recipe for disaster.
Take the time to prepare before severe weather strikes. Learn about severe weather, sign up for weather alerts in your area, and make sure your information is up-to-date in UMB Alerts.
Image Source: Ready.gov
PREPAREDNESS PRO TRAINING
OEM offers free emergency preparedness training all year-round without the wait! Plus, complete four additional trainings to earn a "Preparedness Pro" microcredential. Trainings include:
- Emergency Preparedness
- Active Assailant Preparedness
- CPR/AED or Naloxone
- Stop the Bleed
- Fire Extinguisher
Learn more and sign up for training today!
Public Safety Partner: Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT UMB
Intellectual property (IP) created at UMB includes, but is not limited to, research, data, and materials that may be of value to outside institutions or individuals. While research collaboration should be encouraged, our faculty, staff, students, and collaborators have an obligation to manage, store, and protect research data and materials.
- Be mindful of where your data is stored and who has access to or is authorized to use, copy, or remove data. Only share data with appropriate parties.
- Be familiar with UMB’s IP policies and procedures, rules governing Export Controls, and ensure that a properly executed Material Transfer Agreement is in place if necessary before transferring any intellectual or physical materials to outside institutions.
Report any suspicious activity or violations through the UMB Hotline. If you feel that your IP has been stolen or shared inappropriately, contact the Office of Research and Development.
Social Media and More Information
Follow UMB Police and Public Safety on the following social media sites: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. You also can visit umaryland.edu/police to learn more about our department, services, officers, history, and much more.
Video Recap
See a video recap of this month’s newsletter in two minutes or less.