October 2023

October 2023
Oct. 16, 2023
 
Dear UMB Community:
We are devastated by the rise in violence impacting communities around the world and here at home. We are heartbroken along with the families, friends, and communities surrounding these precious lives lost. We have heard your anguish, and we stand together with those impacted by these tragedies. 
 
As we sort through our feelings about loss and suffering, please also remember our core values of Respect and Integrity. Choose kindness and empathy in your words and actions — whether in person or on social media — and consider how they may make others feel. Every one of us plays an important role in making the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) a supportive, welcoming community. 
 
UMB remains one of the safest places in Baltimore City to live, work, learn, and visit. However, crime in our community — even when it does not occur here at UMB — impacts us all. No one should ever be a victim of crime, and no one should live in fear. We will continue to do everything in our control to keep crime low at UMB. To those who feel overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or sad — you are not alone. Help is available through the Student Counseling Center and the Employee Assistance Program. We encourage you to make use of these valuable resources. 
 
Your safety is our top priority. UMB Police and Public Safety uses data-driven policing strategies to put police and security officers in areas where they are needed most. This visibility helps to deter crime. Our police are available 24/7 by calling 410-706-6882 (6-6882 from an on-campus phone). Our Safe Walk is available 24/7 and Safe Ride is available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Learn more about these services.
 
There also are small steps you can take to help keep yourself safe:
  • Be aware of your surroundings. This is our top tip for a reason! Put away cellphones and headphones, which can be distracting. 
  • If you notice suspicious activity, step inside a UMB building and talk to a security officer, hit the red button on a blue light phone, or call 410-706-6882.
  • Walk safely. Stick to well-lit, well-traveled areas. Walk in groups when possible or call for a Safe Walk/Safe Ride. Remember: Avoid distractions and be aware of your surroundings. 
  • In an emergency, always call 911. Text to 911 also id available for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability; someone who is experiencing a medical emergency and cannot speak; or those who are in a situation where it is unsafe to call 911.  
Sincerely,
 
Thomas Leone, MSL
Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Safety Bulletin: Protect Your Property
UMB Police and Public Safety has seen a small increase in the number of thefts from vehicles. For the safety of yourself and your property, please make sure all valuables inside your vehicle are out of sight. Do not leave electronics, charging cords, coins, shopping bags, or any other items inside your vehicle. If the items have to remain in your vehicle, place them in the trunk or glove compartment. 
 
We also have seen an increase in scooter thefts, even when they are secured to a bicycle rack. We are working with building managers to find additional ways to keep these scooters secure, and we have increased police and security patrols around bike racks to deter crime.  
Sign Up Now for the Community Engagement Academy 
UMB students, employees, and members of the community are invited to the UMB Police and Public Safety Community Engagement Academy. This three-part series will give citizens a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to be a UMB police officer. Sessions will be held Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided and space is limited. To register, email matthew.johnson@police.umaryland.edu.
 
Fall Safety Campaign Highlights Employees, Safety Tips
Our fall safety campaign is in full swing. This year, we’re highlighting the many kinds of public safety employees who keep our community safe, including education and training, security, fire marshal, police communications operators, and more! Get to know our team and learn some helpful safety tips. Learn more. 
 
Fire Safety Month Building Visits
UMB Office of the Fire Marshal is visiting buildings across campus starting today. Ask questions, receive a give-away, take fire extinguisher training, and more. Find the schedule of events and learn more about Fire Safety Month.
 
UMB Public Safety by the Numbers: September
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.
  • Average time from Safe Ride request to pickup: 9 minutes, 31 seconds
  • Safe Rides given: 1,811
  • Building checks: 2,647
  • Local business checks: 186
  • Garage checks: 866
  • Visitors logged: 11,681
The UMB Office of the Fire Marshal is a part of UMB Public Safety.
Fire Safety Month
The UMB Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is teaming with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.” The campaign provides simple but important cooking actions you can take to keep yourself and those around you safe.
 
But we're not stopping with just one week! OFM is promoting fire safety tips, training, resources, and more all month. Check this page frequently as new updates are added! 
 
Halloween Safety
Be safe this Halloween. Halloween is a fun and spooky time of the year for kids and adults. Make trick-or-treating safe for your little monsters with a few easy safety tips!
 
Code Corner: Highlighting Common Fire Code Violations
When not in use, flammable chemicals are required to be kept in flammable storage cabinets. Flammable storage cabinets are designed to prevent fires located outside the cabinet from igniting chemicals within the cabinet. If improperly stored, a more dangerous fire will occur with the presence of flammable chemicals. Ensure flammables are always stored in flammable storage cabinets with closed and latched cabinet doors.
 
Learn about additional common code violations from the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal. If you have questions, please reach out to the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal directly at FireMarshal@umaryland.edu.  
How Does an Emergency Impact My Work? 
COVID-19 taught us a lot about how to continue performing the most important and time-sensitive work, even when we couldn’t be on campus. This continuity of operations (COOP) planning extends beyond COVID-19 to any time we experience a disruption in our work or learning environment. Learn more about COOP.
 
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!
October Is the 10th anniversary of Biosafety and Biosecurity Month!
This is a great opportunity to review your research program to make sure all proper precautions are in place to keep workers safe and agents secure. All research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, infectious agents, and human materials should be submitted to the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
 
If you have any biosafety or biosecurity questions, EHS biosafety professionals are here to help! Please contact us at 410-706-7055.
Please visit umaryland.edu/police for more information
about UMB Police and Public Safety. 
 
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