Campus Safety Message
Message from Thomas G. Robbins, Executive Director of Public Safety
Students, Faculty and Staff of Boston University: September 4, 2015
Welcome back!
I hope that you take full advantage of the exciting events happening across campus and in our local community this fall. I encourage you to experience all the culture and diversity that our community has to offer and, while at the same time, I urge you to make informed choices when it comes to your personal safety and security.
This weekend and throughout the fall semester, the Boston University Police and the Boston Police will have additional patrols dedicated to our campus and adjacent neighborhoods. These patrols will be focused on identifying potential threats, enforce laws regarding public peace and possession of alcohol and drugs, and to ensure that individuals who present a danger to others are dealt with, swiftly and appropriately. The Boston Police, Brookline Police and Boston University Police departments will share information and collaborate to assess, investigate, and address any public safety issues.
Additional police presence is certainly helpful in crime prevention and increased safety for the community, but each of us shares responsibility in this effort. Student safety also depends on being self-aware and safety conscious as individuals. We urge you to consider a few often-repeated important messages:
- Travel with others (especially at night);
- Remain alert to your surroundings;
- Walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas; avoid alleyways and deserted areas (such as parking lots);
- Avoid using cellular telephones and other electronic devices which could divert your attention from your surroundings;
- Be cautious of strangers who approach you;
- Never leave your personal property unattended in public places such as libraries, dining halls and student centers;
- Never leave beverages unattended in public places or parties and only accept beverages in unopened cans and bottles
We also urge you to review the safety advice provided on the University’s campus safety website www.bu.edu/safety
Please make sure you have an immediate way to contact the Boston University Police by programming our emergency number (617-353-2121) into your smartphone, and take the time to review the news section on the homepage of the Boston University Police website each week. You can also download the free “BU Mobile” app to your smartphone with a “Call BUPD” and “Text BUPD” buttons that provide direct access to the BUPD in an emergency
Additional police patrols, combined with your diligence, are vital to the collective safety for our entire community. I ask that you make your personal safety, and the security of your property, a high priority as we begin this new academic year.
Some of you will traverse our community by bicycle. Please remember to follow the rules of the road such as stopping at red lights and signaling for turns. Your safety is paramount and wearing a helmet is very important. If you travel at night wear reflective clothing and lights. Make sure you purchase a good lock such as a u lock to help prevent against theft. For more information download the BU Bike Kit APP on your phone and go to our BU Bike Safety page: www.bu.edu/bikesafety/
Contact the Boston University Police Department (bupolice@bu.edu; 617-353-2110, text a tip: 847411 Keyword BU) with any questions or concerns.
Remember…if you see something, say something!