Safety and Security Report
A Report from Chief Richardson and the Public Safety Committee
This is the first of a series of reports from the Public Safety Committee that will discuss security issues and provide guidance to enhance the personal safety of those who work, study, and visit within the campus and its surrounding community. The committee, which I chair, consists of representatives from Academic Affairs, the Academic Computing and Communications Center, Auxiliary Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Management, the Medical Center, the Police Department, Public Affairs and the University Health Service. To put this report into context, it is prudent, as a means of introduction, to comment on the size of UIC as an institution, the resources dedicated to its protection, and the philosophy of security used to guide these resources.
UIC is home to 25,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff who populate 110 buildings on the east, west, and south campuses. The mission of UIC is founded on an open environment that fosters the free exchange of ideas among those who study, teach, and administer the daily activities of the campus. The university has charged the UIC Police Department, the largest and best-trained university department in Illinois, with the responsibility of protecting all those individuals who work, study, and visit our campus. To this end UICPD deploys sworn police officers throughout the campus on a 24/7 basis augmented by security guards and student patrols. UICPD also works closely with other state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies and with community groups to enhance safety and security within the university.
Due to the support of UIC’s administration and the efforts of UICPD, reported campus crime has decreased over the years. This university is safer now than it has ever been. However, as recent history has taught, it is mandatory that we maintain our vigilance in all aspects of life. The public is the first line of defense against the criminal element. With this thought in mind the committee offers the following general guidance:
- Immediately report dangerous, criminal, or suspicious activity to the UICPD emergency number 5-5555 or via the more than 1,000 strategically placed campus Startels (emergency call boxes).
- Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid compromising situations - trust your instincts.
- If you are working or are out late at night, stick to well lighted paths whenever possible and if you feel unsafe please call the police 5-5555 for an escort.
- Always remember that most crimes are crimes of opportunity. Avoid leaving personal items unattended, and regardless of how long you will be gone, always secure your desk and office.
For specific safety guidance, UICPD personnel are available to conduct security audits of work areas or departments and to provide safety seminars to groups of employees and students. These services may be arranged by calling UICPD's general telephone number (6-2830).
We encourage feedback and suggestions from the campus community on how to make UIC safer. While we may not always agree with these suggestions, I pledge to you that they will be thoroughly considered, and implemented whenever possible. Please write to me at University Police, M/C 268, 943 W. Maxwell St., or e-mail me at chiefjwr@uic.edu. Thank you and we look forward to continuing to serve the UIC community better.
Sincerely,
John W. Richardson
Chief of UIC Police