July 2021

July 15, 2021
 
Dear UMB Community:
 
I am extremely proud to announce that the University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department (UMBPD) has won the 2021 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)/Walmart Leadership in Community Policing Award. 
 
This prestigious award is a testament to not just the work of our department, but also to each of you reading this newsletter. Thank you for being a part of our community, for engaging with our department, and for teaching us so we can learn and grow. We would not be the progressive, community-oriented department we are without each of you. 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Thomas Leone
UMB Interim Chief of Police
 
Building Access
For your safety, most buildings at UMB remain locked 24/7. Use your UMB ID/One Card to swipe into your building. Forgot your ID? A security officer will be happy to sign you in! Learn more about the building access system.  
 
Safety Tip of the Month: Tailgating 
UMB ID/One Cards ensure that only approved persons have access to UMB buildings. Don’t let a stranger “tailgate” in behind you! Holding the door for someone you don’t know could lead to thefts or other security concerns.
 
It may feel rude, but for the safety of our UMB community, don’t hold the door for others coming in behind you. Each building has a sign reminding community members to swipe their ID to enter. Do your part to keep our community safe!
 
Save the Date for National Night Out
National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 5-8 p.m. in the BioPark Lawn (800 block of West Baltimore Street). This national community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships.  This national community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships. This year, join us for face painting, a video game truck, McGruff the Crime Dog, mobile vaccine clinic, free food, and much more. The Community Engagement Center will be giving away Chromebook laptops to two lucky National Night Out attendees!
 
The Resilience Project: Collaborative Learning on Trauma and Resilience
UMBPD is teaming up with experts from across the University to focus on resilience strategies for police officers who experience trauma and stress. Learn more about the Resilience Project. 
 
Join Us for Quarterly Safety Awareness and UMBPD Updates
Our Safety Awareness meeting is an opportunity to review safety tips, hear crime updates, learn about upcoming UMBPD training and resources, and ask questions. Join us for our next meeting Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. Send questions to Lt. Matthew Johnson at matthew.johnson@police.umaryland.edu.
 
UMBPD Training Updates
Starting this month, police officers and police communication operators will begin receiving mental health first aid training in collaboration with the School of Nursing. We also are working with the School of Social Work to schedule classes on the History of Policing. 
 
In June, we welcomed the FBI Public Corruption and Civil Rights squads to teach Hate Crimes and Color of Law training. UMBPD leadership also attended three-day Prosci change management training to learn how to make organizational improvement through individual change.
 
Earthquake Preparedness
Last month, Maryland experienced two minor earthquakes. While rare, earthquakes in Maryland are not unprecedented. Take the time to prepare: Ensure your information is up to date in UMB Alerts and review this earthquake fact sheet. 
 
Follow us on Social Media!
The UMB Office of Emergency Management is on Twitter! Follow us for preparedness information and updates @UMBOEM.  
 
Need to Dispose of Unwanted Furniture/Equipment? Don’t Move It Yourself!
Moving furniture and equipment has resulted in personal injuries, property damage from hitting building components (lights, sprinklers, walls, etc.), and can obstruct emergency exits if left in the corridor, stairwell, or on the loading dock. Submit a work request to have Environmental Health and Safety/Operations and Maintenance remove the items. To dispose of items with an asset tag, you must first complete the asset removal form.
 
Keep Office and Lab Doors Closed When Unoccupied 
Closing (and locking) your office and lab doors is important for the security of your research materials and personal belongings. Closed doors also act as a barrier to slow the spread of fire and protect room contents. Keep lab doors closed, even when occupied, to maintain negative directional airflow from the corridor to the lab (so lab air does not move into the public corridors). This also prevents others from walking in when you are working with potential hazards such as radioactive hazards, lasers, lentiviruses, certain chemicals, and live animals. 
 
If your doors do not close properly or you are propping your doors open due to ventilation concerns, submit a work order with Operations and Maintenance. Report any theft or suspicious activity to UMBPD at 410-706-6882.
 
Please visit umaryland.edu/police for more information
about the UMB Police Department. 
 
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Office of Communications and Public Affairs

620 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201