BYU has made available several campus safety protocols and resources for students looking to stay safe and comfortable during Fall Semester 2024.
Each year BYU is required by the Clery Act, a consumer protection law, to disclose campus security policies and crime statistics to the public.
“The Clery Act is intended to provide students and their families, as higher education consumers, with accurate, complete and timely information about safety on campus so that they can make informed decisions about where to attend school,” according to BYU's 2023 Clery Report.
The report said that from 2020-2022, there were 15 accounts of rape, 39 cases of fondling, one robbery, one aggravated assault, 14 burglaries, 13 motor vehicle thefts, five cases of arson, three domestic violence offenses, 26 dating violence offenses, 35 accounts of stalking, two weapon possession law violation arrests, nine drug law violations arrests and one liquor law violation arrest on the BYU campus.
Within the first two weeks of Fall Semester 2024, Provo tenants reported fraud, harassment, suspicious behavior, hit-and-runs, vehicle burglary, extortion, traffic accidents, robbery, assault and theft, among other things according to the day-by-day BYU Police Beat from Sept. 4-20.
Karen Ellingson, BYU Police public information officer, said students should be mindful of their personal safety and beware of theft while around campus grounds.
“We recommend students take steps to protect themselves and their personal belongings by locking doors to apartments and vehicles, using a strong bike lock and increasing awareness of their surroundings,” she said.
Ellingson urged students to practice safe dating, engage in healthy relationships and speak up when they feel threatened.
"Get to know new people in public settings and groups. Be aware of others who may be in an unsafe relationship, suffering from a mental health problem or just in need of a friend,” Ellingson added.
Resources available to ensure student safety on campus include Y-Alert, SafeWalk, online training and emergency phones.
“Knowledge is the key to being prepared to act when something happens, and when something does happen, no one needs to feel alone or without options," Ellingson said. "No matter what situation a student encounters or what they are concerned about, we want everyone to know they can come to us at any time for help or any time they feel unsafe.”
Y-Alert
Y-Alert is the campus alert system used by BYU Police, Emergency Management and other offices alert students when there is a safety concern or potential safety concern on campus.
All students are required to enroll in Y-Alert and provide contact information such as a cell phone number and email address for alert messages. Messages come straight from authorized university officials only. More information about Y-Alert is on the Emergency Management website at Y-Alert.
SafeWalk
Students can add the SafeWalk feature to their BYU app.
“No matter who or where you are, it is sometimes dangerous walking to and from campus when there aren’t many students around," according to the app's description. "This feature works similarly to a virtual dispatch service, where the campus police will be able to track your location through your whole route.”
SafeWalk gives BYU Police temporary access to track a phone digitally using a GPS signal, according to BYU's Office of Information Technology website. When the app is opened the user can choose one of three options: “I Understand” to proceed with the virtual SafeWalk, “Request a physical SafeWalk" or “Immediate emergency.” When the virtual SafeWalk is chosen by clicking “I Understand,” the user confirms their phone number and then chooses their destination on a map.
The app will then text them to let them know their SafeWalk has begun. A security dispatcher will monitor the user walking from the start point to the destination. When the user safely reaches their destination, the user taps “I’ve Arrived” to end their SafeWalk.
If the user stops, deviates from the predetermined route, or does not end their SafeWalk, the security dispatcher will call and text the user. If there is no answer, the security dispatcher will notify a police dispatcher and a police officer will be dispatched to the last known location. In an emergency, users can hit the red button on the screen to call Dispatch.
Online training
BYU Police and Emergency Management both provide online resources for personal safety through their websites, including what to do in an evacuation, a crime and fire log that lists crimes and fires reported on campus, a personal safety guide and information about how to sign up for crime prevention lectures and Rape Aggression Defense classes.
BYU Police online resources can be found on the BYU Police website. The website list information about SafeWalk, domestic and dating violence, Title IX, police victim advocate services, the crime log, watch training videos and more.
Emergency phones
Emergency phones are located in various locations around campus such as the south campus trail by the Botany Pond and the Cannon Center. These phones can be used at any time to talk directly to dispatch, who will send help to the phone location.
Students can also contact BYU Police using the numbers listed below:
Emergency: 911
BYU Police, Fire, Medical: 801-422-0911
BYU Fingerprinting: 801-422-8754, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed Tue 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. for devotional)
BYU Parking Services: 801-422-8754
BYU Victim Advocate: 801-422-5218
For time-sensitive requests for service or assistance after hours, please call the Police Dispatch Center at 801-422-0911 or come to the Police Department at 2120 JKB.