July 2023

July 14, 2023
 
Dear UMB Community:
One of the things that makes University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Police and Public Safety so unique is our innovative partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work. This award-winning collaboration — the first of its kind in the nation — provides valuable resources to vulnerable communities.
 
This partnership, in addition to our robust training program and data-driven policing strategies, is why UMB is one of the safest areas in downtown Baltimore. 
 
You can help our community by letting our Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) know when you see someone who might need help. Complete the Social Worker Referral Form so our social workers and COAST staff can provide case management and resource support to those in need.
Sincerely,
 
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Safety Tip of the Month: Building Security
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 the 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 Night Out on Aug. 1
Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. for National Night Out, an annual community-building event promoting positive relationships between police and the communities we serve. We’re partnering with the UMB Community Engagement Center for an evening of fun, so come on out to the corner of South Poppleton Street and West Baltimore Street for free food, games, giveaways, music, a video game truck, and much more. We’ll see you there!
 
Take a Campus Tour with Public Safety and Parking and Transportation Services
UMB Public Safety is teaming up with Parking and Transportation Services and community partners to provide an expanded campus tour for new students! Students will walk the campus while learning campus, parking, and safety information. The tour ends at Lexington Market, where community partners from Everyman Theatre, Hippodrome Theatre, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and Baltimore Public Markets will provide snacks and information about their programs. Contact Jahmoy Colquhoun to learn more about campus tours or to arrange for a tour as part of your school's new student orientation program: jcolquhoun@police.umaryland.edu
 
Register Now for Fall R.A.D. Training
Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) for Women Basic Physical Self-Defense training is returning this fall. This free 10-hour, hands-on course is designed to emphasize confidence and self-discipline while developing and enhancing self-defense options. The course will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from Aug. 29 to Sept. 28 from either noon to 1:30 p.m. or 5 to 6:30 p.m. Space is limited, so register now! 
  
Public Safety Personnel Updates
  • Retirements: Cpl. Thomas Darnell retired after 30-plus years of service; office manager Mae Hill retired after 16-plus years of service.
  • Milestone Anniversaries: Security officer Daniel Foster celebrated 30 years of service with UMB.
  • Notable Accomplishments: Police communication operator supervisor Shawnta Privette was elected vice president of the UMB Staff Senate.
  • New Hires: Anney Smith joined UMB Public Safety as a fire inspector. We continue to hire quality candidates to deliver quality service to our community. Apply now.
 
Public Safety Training Update
Training ensures that our UMB Police and Public Safety employees are continuously learning and growing. Four members of UMB Police attended the FBI-LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute in June. The department’s Peer Support Team attended Critical Incident Stress Management Training. Mental Health First Aid training is scheduled in July and August. 
 
UMB Public Safety by the Numbers: June
Each month, UMB Public Safety 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 employees.
  • Safe Rides given: 1,797
  • Average time from Safe Ride request to pickup: 13 minutes
  • Number of building checks: 2,513
  • Number of local business checks: 164 
  • Number of garage checks: 867
  • Number of visitors logged: 12,015
The UMB Office of the Fire Marshal is a part of UMB Public Safety.
Electrical Safety Around Water
The summer is a great time to enjoy water activities and cool off, but it’s important to be aware of electrical hazards while enjoying the water. Know how to be safe around swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
 
Code Corner: Highlighting Common Fire Code Violations
One common code violation at UMB is leaving compressed gas cylinders unsecured. 
Wall brackets, a bench-top clamp, or a cart should be used to prevent these cylinders from tipping over. Unsecured cylinders can become a projectile if tipped over and could even cause an explosion depending on the contents of the cylinder. Ensure that all compressed gas cylinders are always kept properly secured.
 
Learn about additional common code violations from the Office of the Fire Marshal. If you have questions about whether the doors near you are fire doors, please reach out to the Office of the Fire Marshal directly at FireMarshal@umaryland.edu.  
Emergency Management Fellows
On July 31, OEM will welcome a new Emergency Management Fellow — Senorajoy (Joy) Weddington. The EM Fellowship Program began in 2022 in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. The program provides one fellow with a paid 12-month term to gain experience, training, networking, and professional development. 
 
OEM’s first fellow, Jacqueline (Jackie) Ferreira, completed her fellowship June 30. During her tenure, Ferreira spearheaded the Occupant Emergency Plan program, obtained Associate Business Continuity Professional certification, and led planning efforts for the UMB Police Department’s Relocation drill. 
 
Become a Preparedness Pro
The Preparedness Pro digital credential is composed of five preparedness trainings offered by OEM, the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal, Environmental Health and Safety, and the UMB Police Department. Learn more about scheduling a training with your department today!
No Shorts, Skirts, Sandals, or Open-Toed Footwear in Labs
It’s getting hot out there! While many of us opt to wear warm-weather clothes such as shorts, skirts, sandals, or flip-flops outside to beat the heat, it’s important to stay safe in the lab with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Even if you’re not working with hazardous materials in the lab, others in the lab may be and you need to protect yourself from accidental spills or incidents. Keep an appropriate change of clothes and shoes in the lab if you choose to arrive to work in summer clothing. For more information on appropriate PPE, see our EHS website.
Please visit umaryland.edu/police for more information
about UMB Police and Public Safety. 
 
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