Dear campus community,
Theft is the most reported crime on our campus. However, we have seen have seen a rapid increase of theft, specifically, theft of e-scooters. Since September 1, 2024, we have received over 70 reports of e-scooter thefts, across different parts of campus.
E-scooters are portable, lightweight, and easy to use, making them very popular among our community. E-scooters are also appealing to others who are looking to take advantage of an opportunity.
If you own an e-scooter, please make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to safe guard your property. This includes:
• Always lock your e-scooter.
• Use a U-type of lock instead of a cable or chain. Cable or chain locks can be easily cut and if not secured with enough tension, cable or chain locks can be easily manipulated to which the e-scooter could be removed with ease from the lock.
• Find the most secure point on your e-scooter to run your lock through. This could be through the folding mechanism on your e-scooter. Avoid using the handlebars or through the wheels or around weak points on your e-scooter.
• Lock your e-scooter to a bike rack and not to a handrail, a pole, a parking post, etc.
Our department has implemented solutions that include, but not limited to, data gathering and sharing to members of the department, utilizing our Security Operations Center’s (SOC) cameras to focus in on the areas of campus in which we are seeing an increase of incidents, officers conducting more visual checks of areas that are used for e-scooter parking and parking lots, and sharing information with our neighboring police departments.
Our Criminal Investigations Unit has also identified numerous offenders and charged them. One suspect is connected to nine cases. We have created a page that shows e-scooter suspects we are looking for and people who have been charged in connection with e-scooter thefts. This page will be updated.
Crime prevention is a team effort and we need the help of our community. If you see suspicious activity, such as someone manipulating a lock with tools, like bolt cutters, call us immediately at 911 or 301-405-3333 or you can text us through the UMD Guardian app. The sooner we are aware about something, the sooner we can respond.
Safety Tips:
The University of Maryland Police Department provides a walking escort service for anyone who feels unsafe when walking on or near campus. If you would like a walking escort, please call to request one at 301-405-3555. You may also use a blue light emergency phone to call for an escort.
Stay alert and attuned to people and circumstances around you.
Trust your instincts. They are a natural gift that tells you when something is wrong.
If you observe suspicious activity or behavior, contact the police immediately by calling 911 or 301-405-3333.
See Something, Say Something!
Be Smart, Be Safe!
Safety Resources:
University of Maryland Police Department
Emergency Number - 301-405-3333 / #3333 from a mobile phone (AT&T and Verizon Wireless) / 911
Non-Emergency Number - 301-405-3555
Prince George's County Police Department
Emergency Number - 911
Non-Emergency Number - 301-352-1200
Office of Emergency Management and Business Continuity
https://prepare.umd.edu/ for quick access to phone numbers and emergency guide
UMD Guardian (Mobile Campus Safety App)
https://umpdnews.umd.edu/download-umd-guardian-app-today
UMD Police Walking Escort
301-405-3555
NITE Ride
301-314-3687
https://transportation.umd.edu/shuttle-um/nite-ride
ADA/504 Coordinator
301-405-2841
https://accessibility.umd.edu/
Bias Incident Support Services
301-405-0980
https://biassupport.umd.edu/
BiasSupport@umd.edu
Help Center (Peer Counseling & Crisis Intervention)
301-314-4357
https://helpcenterumd.org/
Counseling Center
301-314-7651
https://counseling.umd.edu/
CARE Office (Free & Confidential resource for those impacted by Sexual & Relationship Violence)
301-741-3442
https://health.umd.edu/CARE
Health Center
301-314-8180
https://health.umd.edu/
Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM)
301-405-1142
TitleIXcoordinator@umd.edu
https://ocrsm.umd.edu/
UMD Alerts
https://alert.umd.edu
Theft is the most reported crime on our campus. However, we have seen have seen a rapid increase of theft, specifically, theft of e-scooters. Since September 1, 2024, we have received over 70 reports of e-scooter thefts, across different parts of campus.
E-scooters are portable, lightweight, and easy to use, making them very popular among our community. E-scooters are also appealing to others who are looking to take advantage of an opportunity.
If you own an e-scooter, please make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to safe guard your property. This includes:
• Always lock your e-scooter.
• Use a U-type of lock instead of a cable or chain. Cable or chain locks can be easily cut and if not secured with enough tension, cable or chain locks can be easily manipulated to which the e-scooter could be removed with ease from the lock.
• Find the most secure point on your e-scooter to run your lock through. This could be through the folding mechanism on your e-scooter. Avoid using the handlebars or through the wheels or around weak points on your e-scooter.
• Lock your e-scooter to a bike rack and not to a handrail, a pole, a parking post, etc.
Our department has implemented solutions that include, but not limited to, data gathering and sharing to members of the department, utilizing our Security Operations Center’s (SOC) cameras to focus in on the areas of campus in which we are seeing an increase of incidents, officers conducting more visual checks of areas that are used for e-scooter parking and parking lots, and sharing information with our neighboring police departments.
Our Criminal Investigations Unit has also identified numerous offenders and charged them. One suspect is connected to nine cases. We have created a page that shows e-scooter suspects we are looking for and people who have been charged in connection with e-scooter thefts. This page will be updated.
Crime prevention is a team effort and we need the help of our community. If you see suspicious activity, such as someone manipulating a lock with tools, like bolt cutters, call us immediately at 911 or 301-405-3333 or you can text us through the UMD Guardian app. The sooner we are aware about something, the sooner we can respond.
Safety Tips:
The University of Maryland Police Department provides a walking escort service for anyone who feels unsafe when walking on or near campus. If you would like a walking escort, please call to request one at 301-405-3555. You may also use a blue light emergency phone to call for an escort.
Stay alert and attuned to people and circumstances around you.
Trust your instincts. They are a natural gift that tells you when something is wrong.
If you observe suspicious activity or behavior, contact the police immediately by calling 911 or 301-405-3333.
See Something, Say Something!
Be Smart, Be Safe!
Safety Resources:
University of Maryland Police Department
Emergency Number - 301-405-3333 / #3333 from a mobile phone (AT&T and Verizon Wireless) / 911
Non-Emergency Number - 301-405-3555
Prince George's County Police Department
Emergency Number - 911
Non-Emergency Number - 301-352-1200
Office of Emergency Management and Business Continuity
https://prepare.umd.edu/ for quick access to phone numbers and emergency guide
UMD Guardian (Mobile Campus Safety App)
https://umpdnews.umd.edu/download-umd-guardian-app-today
UMD Police Walking Escort
301-405-3555
NITE Ride
301-314-3687
https://transportation.umd.edu/shuttle-um/nite-ride
ADA/504 Coordinator
301-405-2841
https://accessibility.umd.edu/
Bias Incident Support Services
301-405-0980
https://biassupport.umd.edu/
BiasSupport@umd.edu
Help Center (Peer Counseling & Crisis Intervention)
301-314-4357
https://helpcenterumd.org/
Counseling Center
301-314-7651
https://counseling.umd.edu/
CARE Office (Free & Confidential resource for those impacted by Sexual & Relationship Violence)
301-741-3442
https://health.umd.edu/CARE
Health Center
301-314-8180
https://health.umd.edu/
Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM)
301-405-1142
TitleIXcoordinator@umd.edu
https://ocrsm.umd.edu/
UMD Alerts
https://alert.umd.edu