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
"If you see something, say something." It’s a phrase often used, but what exactly does it mean? Essentially: trust your gut.
If you notice unusual or concerning behavior, call the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Department of Police and Public Safety. What is “unusual or concerning behavior”?
- Someone trying to enter a secure UMB building without swiping their UMID or signing in at the visitor kiosk, or someone trying to “piggyback” behind you through a secure door
- An unattended bag or package
- Vehicles parked in an odd location or an unattended vehicle with the engine running
- Someone taking photos of security features or infrastructure, or someone asking questions about security procedures
In many cases, these activities may be benign. However, our team is trained to assess these activities and ensure the safety of our community. It’s never a bother — day or night, call us at 410-706-6882.
Sincerely,
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Public Safety Tips and Resources
CRIME REMAINED LOW AT UMB IN 2025
Last year, UMB Police and Public Safety began significant technological improvements. This — along with our ongoing commitment to community engagement — helps keep crime down on campus. UMB remains one of the safest areas in downtown Baltimore.
The data does show a small increase in assaults on campus in 2025. Nine of the assaults occurred between people who knew one another. Two others occurred when UMB police officers were assaulted. Other incidents included road rage, a payment dispute, and phone/headphone distractions. Read the story in The Elm. 
TRY SAFE WALK
As the weather warms up, our Safe Walk service is a great opportunity to get outside and practice well-being. While our campus remains one of the safest areas in downtown Baltimore, walking in pairs and groups is always the safest choice. If you don’t have anyone to join you, a security or police officer would be happy to join you day or night as you travel across campus. Just call 410-706-6882 and request a Safe Walk! (Please note, for the safety of our team, we cannot carry or transport items for you during a Safe Walk.)
Serving Our Community
POSITIVE RECOGNITION: OUTSTANDING RESPONSE
On Feb. 27, security officer Isidro Quinones was recognized for doing exactly what we teach: He saw something, so he said something. Quinones was working at an off-campus building when someone tried to deliver an unusual package. He demonstrated exceptional situational awareness, clear communication, and decisive action to safeguard the building and its occupants. Well done, security officer Quinones!
TRAINING FUTURE LEADERS
Cpl. Brandon Williams and PFC Ryan McGrath completed the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Supervisor Leadership Institute, hosted at UMB. Congratulations!
VALENTINE FLOWERS
Each February, members of UMB Police and Public Safety (including the Office of the Fire Marshal) pop into buildings across campus to ask, “Will you POLICE be our Valentine?” It's one of our favorite outreach activities each year. Check out these photos from our Valentine flower giveaway.
CELEBRATING MILESTONES
Congratulations to security officer Nicole Fleming, acting major Duane Harrington, and security supervisor Tamika Hudson on celebrating 10 years with UMB Police and Public Safety! Thank you for your service!
UMB PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS: FEBRUARY
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, 57 seconds
- Safe Rides given: 2,184
- Building checks: 2,420
- Local business checks: 181
- Garage checks: 683
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal
FREE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING
How fast can you put out a fire? Try your hand at our hands-on fire extinguisher simulator, learn about different types of fires and extinguishers, and more! Our next class is March 26 from 10-11 a.m. at 100 N. Greene St. Register for our fire extinguisher training today.
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Every day, millions of people wake up, go to work or school, and take part in social events. But every so often the unexpected happens: an earthquake, a fire, a chemical spill, an act of terrorism, or some other disaster. People entering any public assembly building need to be prepared in case of an emergency.
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)
CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS (COOP) eLEARNING
Are you ready before disaster strikes? In 2020, we learned how quickly our “normal” operations would have to shift. The UMB Office of Emergency Management COOP program can ensure that your team can continue to perform the most important and time-sensitive work, even during an emergency disruption. Take the online training today!
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)
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN THE LAB: STAY READY!
Laboratory environments present unique risks, so being prepared to respond to lab emergencies is essential. Take a few minutes to review your lab’s emergency plan and make sure you know the location of safety equipment such as eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and spill kits. Confirm evacuation routes and assembly points, and keep emergency contact numbers handy. If you’re unsure about any procedures, like chemical spill response or equipment shutdown, check your lab’s emergency resources or reach out to EHS for guidance. A quick review today will help ensure a safe and effective response tomorrow.
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.