The monthly newsletter includes a message from Chief of Police Thomas Leone, safety tips and resources, updates from the Office of the Fire Marshal and our public safety partners, and more.
To see previous editions of The Public Safety Newsletter, go to the Police and Public Safety website.
Letter from the Chief
Information is one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. While the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) invests in physical resources and our police and security officers provide a visible presence, it's the shared knowledge and awareness among our UMB students and employees that often makes the greatest difference.
Unlike security cameras or patrol vehicles, information is accessible to everyone. Information empowers individuals to make smart, safe choices in real time. We work hard to provide transparent, timely updates and safety guidance — but, ultimately, it’s up to each member of our community to take the initiative to read, understand, and act on this information.
This month, we’re transitioning our Public Safety Newsletter to The Elm. We hope this change will make it easier for our community to access information about safety on campus, training opportunities, resources, and more.
Subscribers to our newsletter will continue to receive a brief monthly email with my letter and a quick overview of the information you can expect to find in the newsletter. We’ll also continue to bring you our video newsletter, which highlights our online newsletter in just two minutes or less.
By meeting our community where they are, we hope to support a more informed and connected UMB. Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Public Safety Tips and Resources
KEEP UMB BUILDINGS SECURE
We use card readers, security officers, and keys to keep our buildings secure. You can help keep our community safe:
- Report malfunctioning doors or broken locks to a security officer or by calling 410-706-6882.
- Always close secure doors behind you. Do not prop doors, even for a brief time.
- Swipe your UMID at the red/green pedestal at the security desk when entering a UMB building through the front doors.
As we head into the summer months, vacations and student breaks can lead to lower occupancy in some UMB buildings. Do your part. Immediately report any suspicious activity to UMB Police and Public Safety at 410-706-6882.
Serving Our Community
THEN AND NOW: SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE
Did you know UMB Police and Public Safety was the city of Baltimore’s first (and only) accredited police department in 1996?
The department recently received Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators dual accreditation (again!). As we celebrate 50 years of UMB Police and Public Safety, we’re looking back on our history of accreditation and how our department is leading the way. Read the story here.
COMFORT K9 POE LATEST TO SERVE IN DEPARTMENT'S 50 YEARS
UMB Police led the way in university police department comfort K9s, but our first pup joined the department in 1975! In CATALYST magazine, we dive into the history of public safety K9s at UMB and how Poe is making officers more approachable.
SAVE THE DATE: NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Join us on Aug. 5 for National Night Out, an annual community-building event 
that promotes positive relationships between police and the communities we serve. The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature free food, games, giveaways, and more at the BioPark (873 W. Baltimore St.).
SAVE THE DATE: SAFETY AWARENESS MEETING
Free food alert! Join us July 30 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for our Safety Awareness Meeting. Attendees will learn about the department's “use of force” policy, discuss complex situations, and get hands-on experience using our training simulator. Lunch will be provided. The meeting will be held at our Training and Education Substation (100 N. Greene St., entrance on West Fayette Street). For questions or to RSVP, contact Sgt. Kelli Blackwell.
UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS: MAY
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: 7 minutes, 33 seconds
- Safe Rides given: 2,023
- Building checks: 2,706
- Local business checks: 67
- Garage checks: 719
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
Are you ready to enjoy summer activities? Follow these tips to ensure your safety. Leave the fireworks displays to the experts. Did you know that sparklers can reach 1,200 degrees? Outdoor fire pits should be kept at least 10 feet from anything that can burn. Here at UMB, the Office of the Fire Marshal ensures that the campus is safe by requiring fire pits to be 20 feet from any building or property line. Learn more about our summer safety tips!
The Office of the Fire Marshal is an important part of UMB Public Safety. Contact UMB’s fire marshal directly at firemarshal@umaryland.edu.
Public Safety Partner: Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
SIGN UP FOR THE UMB EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS NEWSLETTER
Get emergency preparedness tips, trainings, updates, and more right to your inbox! Sign up now.
HURRICANE READINESS
"Hurricane season" began June 1 — are you ready? While Baltimore is not a coastal city, our region is vulnerable to flooding, high winds, and extended utility outages brought by tropical storms and hurricanes. Learn more and prepare at ready.gov/hurricanes.
Public Safety Partner: Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
AVOID WORKING WHILE DISTRACTED
Like distracted driving, distracted work in the lab may lead to preventable accidents. Laboratories have the potential for risk due to hazards such as chemicals and biological material. Looking at your phone while walking leads to the risk of bumping into others, slips, falls, or hazard exposure. Working with your headphones too loud places yourself and others at risk of collision and prevents you from hearing emergency communications. For the safety of yourself and others, work the way you drive: Be observant of your surroundings, put the phone away, and remove your headphones.
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.