Nov. 21, 2024

Dear UMB Community:

Until this past week, it seemed like our warm, beautiful weather would never end. It even took the edge off of the end of Daylight Saving Time. But just as they always do, the days are getting shorter and a bit chillier. It’s a good time to remember to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings wherever you go — on campus, at home, or out and about.

Here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), we offer services to help getting to or from the office a little more pleasant, including our Safe Walk/Safe Ride program. Safe Walk is available on campus 24/7; call 410-706-6882 to request one. And Safe Ride is available on campus and in neighboring areas from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., 365 days a year. You can request a ride through the Mobile UMB App. Learn more and see the Safe Ride boundary map. 

Wherever you are, you can keep in touch with UMB Police and Public Safety. Follow us on social media — Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) — for the return of Private Pine, holiday safety tips and, of course, the latest activities of UMB’s comfort K9, Poe. 

We’re committed to your safety, day and night. Remember — we’re just a phone call away at 410-706-6882. Stay safe as we enter the fun and family-oriented holiday season!

Sincerely,

Thomas Leone, MSL

Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police

Safety Tip: How to Prevent Tailgating 

When unauthorized individuals follow others into secure buildings without proper access — a practice known as tailgating or piggybacking — it can compromise security. Here are some tips to help prevent it: 

1. Avoid holding doors for strangers: While it might feel polite to hold the door for someone, it’s best to let them use their own credentials.  
2. Report suspicious behavior: If you notice someone attempting to enter without credentials or waiting near entry doors, report it to the security officer in the building. They will help ensure that everyone inside is authorized. 
3. Be mindful of your own entry: Make sure that the door fully closes and locks behind you before walking away. This helps prevent someone from coming in behind you unnoticed. 
4. Encourage a culture of security: Encourage others to be mindful of who they let in, and remind everyone of the importance of following access protocols. 

PAL Creativity  

On Oct. 16, students in the Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) embraced their creativity by making their own pillows. Guided through each step, they clipped fabric, outlined stitch lines, and practiced sewing straight seams to bring their unique pillows to life. PAL, a mentoring program for second- through eighth-grade students from West Baltimore, fosters meaningful relationships between police officers and local children through weekly meetings, field trips, and hands-on activities, building a bridge of trust and community connection. 

Halloween Fun 

During UMB’s trick-or-treat event hosted by the Office of Community and Civic Engagement, Police Chief Thomas Leone delighted attendees by dressing up as Waldo from “Where’s Waldo.” The Police and Public Safety team joined the festivities, offering a table full of treats for everyone to enjoy! 

UMB Public Safety by the Numbers: October

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, 15 seconds

   •   Safe Rides given: 2,566

Sizzle with Caution, Fire’s No Option 

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day of home fires involving cooking equipment? Keep you and your family safe by following these safety tips this holiday season. 

Code Corner: Unattended Food Warming 

Did you know that the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has a set of guidelines for the use and storage of chafing fuel (commonly called “Sterno”)? This guideline requires that chafing fuel, when lit, must be attended to at all times. Check out our guidelines for more information. 

Learn about additional common code violations from OFM. If you have questions, please reach out to the office directly at firemarshal@umaryland.edu.

Free Emergency Preparedness Training Available Online

Learn what to do during an emergency, where to find lifesaving equipment, and much more! You can start the training online now or request in-person training by contacting emergencymanagement@umaryland.edu. 

Emergency Preparedness Training is one part of the Preparedness Pro digital credential. Learn more about our series of preparedness trainings at UMB, including Active Assailant, Stop the Bleed, CPR/AED, and Fire Extinguisher training.

Keep Office and Lab Doors Closed When Unoccupied  

Closing (and locking) your office and lab doors is important to ensure 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 UMB Police and Public Safety at 410-706-6882. 

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination.