April 2023

April 2023
April 14, 2023
 
Dear UMB Community:
April is Core Values Month at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). We are committed to weaving these core values into the very fabric of our UMB Police Department (UMBPD).
 
  • Respect and Integrity are at the heart of all we do. We strive to provide service excellence from our police officers, security officers, police communications operators, and administrative staff to our community.
  • Well-Being and Sustainability are shown through our participation in Eutaw Street cleanup days, well-being fairs, and more. We work with our partners in the Office of Sustainability to create a green workplace. 
  • Equity and Justice are highlighted through the work of our Community Outreach and Support Team. We partner with the Community Engagement Center to provide the Police Athletic/Activities League to students in West Baltimore. We collaborate with the University of Maryland School of Social Work to provide case management to vulnerable populations. All UMBPD officers are trained to work with those experiencing hardships, to respond with compassion, and to provide critical resources. 
  • Innovation and Discovery are on full display by the local, state, national, and international awards we’ve received for our groundbreaking work with our communities. UMBPD is a progressive police department committed to education, engagement, and collaboration. We’re changing the way universities and municipal police departments engage with the communities they serve.
 
These are just a few of the ways UMBPD is committed to our core values. This month, I encourage you to think about how you engage with our University’s core values. By committing to these values, we can create a safer, happier UMB.
Sincerely,
 
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Safety Tip of the Month: Tailgating
Letting someone follow you into a secure building is called “tailgating” or “piggybacking.” While it may feel polite, this action can welcome people into our UMB buildings who should not be there. Here’s what you can do to protect the safety of our UMB community:
  • Don’t hold the door for someone you don’t recognize. We know it might feel rude, but it’s for the safety of our community.
  • If someone is walking immediately behind you and follows you inside, don’t confront them. Tell the UMB security officer – they’re trained to handle these situations.
  • Always scan your ID at the red and green card reader when entering a UMB building lobby. For the safety of our UMB community, a security officer will remind you to swipe if you forget. Please remember our core values set of Respect and Integrity; our security officers are doing their job.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
This week, we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of UMBPD: our police communications operators (PCOs). These dispatchers manage countless tasks simultaneously and serve as the knowledge hub for our department. Learn how UMBPD is leading the way in collegiate communications centers and how the University’s Aware Portal ensures coordination of emergency resources on campus.
 
UMB Police Save a Life
Seven UMBPD employees received Lifesaving Commendations for working together to save a person experiencing a medical emergency. Our PCOs were able to quickly dispatch officers to the scene. The officers performed CPR until medics arrived. Read the full story here.
 
UMB Public Safety Responds to Space Heater Fire
A security officer’s quick action prevented significant damage when a space heater caught fire in the Maryland Bar Center. UMB Fire Marshal Andrew Roberts explains what happened and why space heaters are dangerous. Learn more about Nautica Dove, the security officer who helped evacuate the building, and all of our spotlight officers.
 
Campus Security Authority (CSA) Training For Staff Available Now
A brief online training is available now for staff who are identified as CSAs. A training for faculty and staff CSAs will be available soon. The deadline to take this training is May 12. Learn more.
 
The Baltimore Banner Honors Lt. Matthew Johnson as an Emerging Leader
Lt. Matthew Johnson, commander of the UMBPD Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST), has been named one of 12 inaugural Emerging Leaders by The Baltimore Banner. Lt. Johnson’s work has built a foundation for lasting positive relationships with our West Baltimore neighbors. Learn more.
 
Becoming a Police Officer at UMB
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go through the police academy? In Part 1 of our real-time series, you’ll read about prospective UMB police officers Stephen Howard and Mikal Diggs’ experience as they go through the academy.
 
UMBPD by the Numbers: March
Each month, UMBPD provides thousands of valuable services and resources to the communities we serve. In this segment, we highlight the previous month’s data to showcase the work of our UMBPD employees.
  • Safe Rides given: 3,316
  • Average time from Safe Ride request to pickup: 11:35 minutes
  • Number of building checks: 2,943
  • Number of local business checks: 247
  • Number of garage checks: 878
  • Number of visitors logged: 13,466
The UMB Office of the Fire Marshal is a part of the UMB Department of Public Safety.
Microwave Oven Safety
With busy lives and busy days at work, people rely on microwave ovens as a quick way to heat up a meal or warm up a drink. While the convenience of the microwave oven is something we take for granted, safety should not be. By following a few simple safety tips, you can prevent painful burns and possible fires.
 
Code Corner: Highlighting Common Fire Code Violations
One frequent code violation at UMB is obstructed life safety equipment. Life safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, manual pull stations, safety showers, eye washes, and automated external defibrillators are required to be visible and accessible so that they can quickly be found and used in the event of an emergency. Ensure the floor space around life safety equipment is always kept free from equipment and storage.
 
Learn about additional common code violations from the Office of the Fire Marshal. If you have questions about whether doors near you are fire doors, please reach out to the Office of the Fire Marshal directly at FireMarshal@umaryland.edu.  
Occupant Emergency Plans (OEP)
Do you know what to do in an emergency? The OEP provides building-specific details and directions related to evacuation procedures, evacuation instructions for persons requiring assistance, seeking shelter, and “Run, Hide, Fight” during active assailant incidents. The OEP identifies locations of automated external defibrillators, Stop the Bleed kits, and evacuation assembly areas. Find your building’s OEP.
 
Become a Preparedness Pro
The Preparedness Pro digital credential is composed of five preparedness trainings offered by OEM, UMB Office of the Fire Marshal, Environmental Health and Safety, and UMBPD. Learn more about scheduling a training with your department today!
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

220 Arch Street, Baltimore, MD 21201