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
The days are getting shorter. Many of us are commuting to and from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in the dark.
On Halloween, I shared some safety tips ahead of the time change. It can be easy to get comfortable and slip into unsafe habits. Please take a moment to brush up on these tips and reset your safety mindset as we head into the darker days of fall.
Need a buddy to walk with to the parking garage? Our Safe Walk is available 24/7 by calling 410-706-6882. Safe Ride is also a great option. Wait times increase during the afternoon/evening and when there’s inclement weather, so please plan ahead and practice patience and kindness with our hardworking security officers.
Sincerely,
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Public Safety Tips and Resources
LEAVE THE TAILGATING TO FOOTBALL
“Tailgating” is when unauthorized people follow you inside a secure UMB building. We’ve seen an increase in this activity lately, which can leave our community vulnerable to theft and other safety concerns.
We need your help!
- Everyone must swipe their UMID when entering a secure building, whether it’s at a card reader at a side or back entrance, or at the security desk when entering an open door.
- Do not hold the door open secure for others — even if they have a UMID. Building access varies between students and employees. It may seem rude, but it’s for the safety of our community.
- Never prop open an external door. Make sure doors securely close and latch behind you.
Keep our community safe while practicing our core values.
Letting the door close, rather than holding it open for others, may feel rude. If you’re in this situation, here are some helpful tips for how to practice respect for others while keeping our community safe:
- Remind them of the rule: “Sorry, we're asked not to let anyone in without swiping their UMID,” or “We’re trained to make sure everyone swipes in. Thanks for understanding!”
- Keep it friendly: “You’ll need to swipe your card, too!” or “I'm not sure if you have access. Would you swipe in real quick?”
- Just keep walking: Step through the door and let it close behind you, rather than holding the door open.
Only engage with the person if it feels safe and if you want to. Trust your gut. If someone follows you into a secure building anyway, or if you notice an unauthorized person in the building, alert a security officer or call 410-706-6882 right away. Thank you for helping to keep our UMB community safe!
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY
UMB Police and Public Safety partners with the University of Maryland School of Social Work so they can provide case management to vulnerable populations. Our police officers receive crisis intervention training and work with our Community Outreach and Support Team to connect those in need with critical resources.
If you see someone who needs resources or assistance, our team can provide immediate support 24/7 by calling 410-706-6882. You can also fill out a social worker referral form online.
Serving Our Community
NEEDS NOVEMBER: PRIORITIZING OFFICER WELLNESS
In 1977, UMB police officers attended their first stress management seminar. Today, “Needs November” continues that legacy — bringing yoga, peer support, and a focus on holistic well-being to the people who help keep our community safe. Read more about the department's commitment to officer well-being.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
Our Awards Ceremony and 50-Year Celebration showcased how far we've come and recognized the exceptional contributions of our team. Please join us in celebrating our 2025 employees of the year: PFC Richard Allen; security officer Evelyn Greenhill; security supervisor Tamika Hudson; and office manager Chelsea Jarrard.
Watch the ceremony highlights and our 50 Years of UMB Police and Public Safety video.
THEN AND NOW: WOMEN IN POLICING
In 1978, Barbara Scott became the UMB Police Department’s first female police officer. Forty-seven years later, the department hired its first female deputy chief of police. Read about the challenges the department’s first female officers faced and how today’s female leaders are paving the way.
THEN AND NOW: HITTIN’ THE ROAD
From the department’s first “unofficial” car to a robust fleet of patrol cars and electric vehicles, UMB Police and Public Safety's journey on the road mirrors its 50-year history. Hop in the front seat and join us on a humorous trip down memory lane.
THEN AND NOW: ODDS, ENDS, AND ODDITIES OF 50 YEARS
This year, we uncovered some interesting and unusual stories in our archives. In this collection of tales, we take a peek behind the badge at some of the department's stories that have been lost to time.
PROVIDING FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY
UMB Police and Public Safety is partnering with the UMB Office of Community and Civic Engagement and the Maryland Food Bank to deliver meals to the Center for Restorative Change, a community outreach initiative housed at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. The center’s family support center, located at 940 Madison Ave., provides resources including early childhood development, food, and common areas to grow community.
WHAT IS ‘UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS’?
Each month, we publish a look at the type and frequency of services our police and security officers provide. What does it mean?
- Building Checks: Our officers provide thousands of proactive visits each month to UMB buildings. Police officers are assigned to patrol an area of campus, called a “post.” During their shift, each officer visits the buildings in their post multiple times. Depending on the time of day, how many calls for service they’ve received, and other factors, the police officer may walk around the building or stop by the front desk to talk with the security officer. These security officers are our “eyes and ears.” They will report any safety concerns or needs to the police officer during their building check.
- Local Business Checks: Local businesses are critical to supporting our community’s vibrancy. While on patrol, our officers will stop by local businesses on or near campus. These checks build positive relationships with our partners and proactively address challenges faced by local shops, which are often frequented by UMB faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
- Garage Checks: Our police officers and security officers drive and/or walk through every floor of every UMB parking garage throughout the day. We work with UMB Parking and Transportation Services to identify and immediately address safety concerns in our garages. Help keep our community safe by slowing down in parking garages, locking your vehicle, and securing valuables out of sight.
UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS: OCTOBER
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: 9 minutes, 5 seconds
- Safe Rides given: 2,312
- Building checks: 2,663
- Local business checks: 185
- Garage checks: 703
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal
KITCHEN SAFETY
As the holiday season approaches, it is important to remember to be safe in the kitchen! Never cook when you’re tired or have consumed alcohol. Always stay in the kitchen when any cooking equipment is turned on. Keep anything that can catch fire, like oven mitts and wooden utensils, away from your stove. Follow these tips to be safe this year!
FREE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 20, for FREE fire extinguisher training from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Try your hand at our fire extinguisher simulator and win a prize for the fastest time! Learn more and register now.
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)
EVENT SAFETY AT UMB
Planning a large event at UMB? Before you reserve your space, consider your event’s safety plan! An event safety plan can identify potential hazards and safety protocols, minimizing risk to your event. Check out OEM’s Event Planning Safety Considerations, plus Occupant Emergency Plans for buildings, outdoor spaces, and large indoor spaces across UMB.
PREPAREDNESS PRO TRAINING
OEM offers free emergency preparedness training 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)
KEEP OFFICE AND LAB DOORS CLOSED WHEN UNOCCUPIED
Closing (and locking) your office and lab doors is important for the security of your research materials and personal belongings. Closed doors also act as a barrier to slow the spread of fire and protect room contents. Keep lab doors closed, even when occupied, to maintain negative directional airflow from the corridor to the lab (so lab air does not move into the public corridors). This also prevents others from walking in when you are working with potential hazards such as radioactive hazards, lasers, lentiviruses, certain chemicals, and live animals.
If your doors do not close properly or you are propping your doors open due to ventilation concerns, submit a work order with Operations and Maintenance. Report any theft or suspicious activity to UMB Police and Public Safety at 410-706-6882.
Social Media and More Information
Follow UMB Police and Public Safety on these 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.