By UNIVERSITY POLICE
The State of Utah is reported to be one of the safest places in the nation. When compared to other metropolitan areas of its own size, Provo has a crime rate significantly below other regions of the country.
However, while the campus and surrounding community are great places to live, work and study, neither is immune to the social problems encountered in other parts of the country.
Although Brigham Young University strives to provide a safe environment for its students and university personnel, maintaining safety and security must be a shared responsibility.
No matter how effective BYU’s programs may be, the primary responsibility for safety and security lies with each of us individually.
The University maintains its own professional police force. BYU officers are trained at the Utah State Police Academy and have the same powers of law enforcement as a municipal police force.
University Police professionally handle all campus crime reports, investigations, traffic accidents, enforcement of laws regulating under-age drinking, the use of controlled substances, weapons and other incidents, such as medical and fire emergencies.
Any suspicious or emergency situation should be quickly reported to the University Police by dialing 911 on any campus phone. You should promptly report to the police any on-campus criminal activity. The non-emergency phone number for the police department is 378-2222.
There are 37 emergency telephones designated by blue lights that are located strategically throughout the campus. These phones should be used in the case of an emergency.
The University Police Department operates on a community policing foundation. The focus of campus oriented policing is to serve, educate and protect the students, personnel and visitors. Besides direct efforts in crime prevention and detection, BYU carries out a number of programs to foster safety and security. Several patrol methods are used to secure university Properties, including uniformed motor patrol, foot patrol and bicycle patrol, as well as plain clothes foot and motor patrol.
The best advice for minimizing the possibility of becoming a victim of sexual assaults, theft or other crime is simple: Remain alert and attentive to potential danger. Don’t put yourself at risk. Report any suspicious activity to the police.
Common theft is the most frequently committed crime on campus. This is because so many personnel and students carelessly leave doors unlocked and valuables unprotected. Here are a few suggestions to help protect you: Never leave belongings unattended for even a minute. Keep doors and windows locked. don’t keep large amounts of money in your room or on your person. Lock your bike with a quality U-style lock. Register your bike with the Traffic Office. don’t lend your keys, credit cards or BYU ID cards to anyone. Keep a record or your property including description and serial number. Always lock your car and do not leave valuables inside.
Sex offenses are not limited to rape and sexual assault. Other offensive and unacceptable sexual behavior may be in violation of university policy or be criminal. Exhibitionists, voyeurs (peeping tom) and persons who make obscene or harassing phone calls are in violation of the University’s’s Honor Code and the law. Although a physical attack may not have been carried out, don’t take chances. Promptly report all incidents to the police.
We hope that your educational experience here at BYU will be a rewarding one. The University Police will do everything it can to make your stay here as safe as possible. We hope that each of you will also take the initiative to help the University be a safe place by incorporating in your own life safety and security ideals that will protect your from becoming a victim of someone else’s criminal activity.
