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
October is Fire Safety Month!
Did you know the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has its own Office of the Fire Marshal? This team, which is responsible for fire safety and many other life-safety services, is an important part of UMB Police and Public Safety.
This year, the theme for Fire Safety Month is battery and charging safety. In particular, lithium-ion batteries — which are in phones, laptops, electronic bikes and scooters, and more — can pose a fire hazard if not charged properly.
We hope you’ll join our Office of the Fire Marshal at its fire extinguisher training and tabling events during Fire Safety Month and all year long!
Sincerely,
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Public Safety Tips and Resources
TIME CHANGE: NOV. 2
Our clocks will “fall back” by one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2. As the days get shorter, many UMB students and employees may commute to and from campus in the dark.
UMB Police and Public Safety offers Safe Rides from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. You can request a Safe Ride through the Mobile UMB app. Practice patience and plan ahead: Wait times increase during inclement weather and after dark. Safe Walks are available 24/7 on campus. Call 410-706-6882 to request a Safe Walk. Learn more about Safe Walk/Safe Ride.
Keep an eye out from Chief Leone in early November with tips for autumn safety.
WHEN IN DOUBT: CALL
Take a moment to program our number in your phone: 410-706-6882.
Our police communications operators (PCOs) — sometimes known as dispatchers — are available 24/7 to help keep you safe. You are never “bothering” us. If you’re questioning whether to call, call. Our team can get you the public safety information, resources, and support you need. In an emergency, always call 911.
Serving Our Community
2025 ANNUAL SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT (ASFR)
When we published our annual Clery report on Oct. 1, one thing remained clear: UMB remains one of the safest areas in downtown Baltimore. Many people from across UMB and beyond spent months working together to put together this transparent and informative report. Read Chief Leone's letter and the 2025 ASFR.
PINE STREET OPEN HOUSE (FEATURING GHOST STORIES!)
Have you ever wanted to peek inside the historic Pine Street Police Station? Now’s your chance! Stop by on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to hear about the building’s nearly-150-year history and how some of those occupants still linger around the department today.
Not interested in the spooky stuff? Come look inside our police cars, learn about public safety training opportunities, try your hand at the fire extinguisher and stop the bleed simulators, learn about the department’s 50-year history, and much more! We can’t wait to see you there.
SAFETY AWARENESS MEETING: OCT. 22
Free food alert! The next Safety Awareness meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the SMC Campus Center, Room 349 (note location change!). This meeting will focus on the Comfort K9 program at UMB and beyond — including visiting Comfort K9s from other Universities and departments. Please RSVP to Sgt. Kelli Blackwell at KEBlackwell@police.umaryland.edu.
DRUG SAFETY AT UMB AND BEYOND
Cpl. Roosevelt Hammett provided his expertise to develop a course to help first responders nationwide from being exposed to fentanyl. The pilot course was offered in September through the Center for Domestic Preparedness and provided hands-on training, including detection, evidence collection, and operations.
You can help keep yourself, our first responders, and our community safe by disposing of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs safely. UMB Police and Public Safety is partnering with the School of Pharmacy for Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SMC Campus Center. Help keep unused prescription drugs from finding their way into the wrong hands.
UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS: SEPTEMBER
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 20 seconds
- Safe Rides given: 2,083
- Building checks: 2,502
- Local business checks: 203
- Garage checks: 675
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal
FIRE SAFETY MONTH
October is Fire Safety Month! We’re having tabling events, giveaways, trainings, and MUCH more! Learn how to keep our community safe from fire, try your hand at our fire extinguisher simulator, and pick up some fun and free swag!
FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING
We're offering TWO fire extinguisher trainings this month for Fire Safety Month! These fun, hands-on courses teach the science of fire, different types of fires and extinguishers, and how to properly use the extinguisher. Then, you can try your skills with our hands-on fire extinguisher simulator! Learn more and register now for these and other classes:
- Oct. 16, 1:30-2:30 p.m., SMC Campus Center, Room 223
- Oct. 23, 1-2 p.m., 100 N. Greene St., Room LL01
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)
OCTOBER IS BIOSAFETY MONTH
Each October, UMB joins institutions worldwide in celebrating Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, an initiative led by ABSA International. This annual observance raises awareness about safe laboratory practices and underscores the critical role biosafety and biosecurity play in protecting people, advancing research, and safeguarding the environment.
Throughout October, keep an eye out for EHS events across campus as we highlight best practices, share safety tips, and foster a culture of safe science. Join us in supporting a safe research community at UMB!
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.