University of Chicago Safety & Security: Key Strategies

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) is a full-service, accredited law enforcement agency that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

UCPD has primary responsibility for patrolling the University of Chicago campus and University property, and serves in a  supportive role in an extended patrol area.

UCPD patrol strategies are fundamentally based on data driven and problem oriented policing philosophies. The UCPD conducts weekly meetings to revise patrol and investigative strategies based on recent and emerging crime trends.  

In 2021, UCPD formalized its collaboration with the Chicago Police Department, including joint patrols to help prevent violent crime and more effectively serve the safety needs of our community. CPD permanently assigned more officers to the district that includes Hyde Park.

The UCPD operates strategic foot and vehicular patrols on and near campus, including patrols focused on robbery reduction and traffic enforcement missions focused on traffic safety. 

The UCPD has implemented a strategic operations center that allows the UCPD to make real-time and proactive adjustments to police and security deployments. 

Campus and Community Safety Ambassadors – contract security officers with Allied Universal Security – are stationed throughout campus and patrol in UCPD’s extended jurisdiction.

Safety Ambassadors wear high visibility uniforms to easily identify them as members of the campus safety team. 

If Safety Ambassadors witness a crime, they will immediately contact UCPD. 

“Green Light” safety ambassador cars patrol on and around campus seven days a week and provide a visible presence as well as additional eyes and ears around campus. 

UGo Shuttles operate day and night, providing a convenient transportation option to members of the University community in the Hyde Park neighborhood around campus.

Shuttles provide access to campus, Metra and CTA stations, and various off-campus locations. 

The University recently expanded shuttle access to downtown Chicago through its new Downtown Connector Shuttle. 

Through the Lyft Ride Smart program, students are eligible for seven free Lyft rides per month (up to $10 off per ride) from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m., seven days a week. 

Members of the University community who are concerned about their safety for any reason as they walk within the UCPD’s patrol area can call 773.702.8181 to request a safety escort.

There is free garage parking at two garages on campus between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m., seven days a week.

More information on transportation options for students is in this video. 

The Department of Safety & Security operates a network of cameras, emergency phones, and license-plate reader technology that helps discourage crime and has aided UCPD investigators in identifying suspects and making arrests. 

There are more than 100 emergency “blue light” phones around campus that have been outfitted with security technology including security cameras and call stations that connect directly to the UCPD dispatch center.  

Blue light stations serve as a visual deterrence to crime, and their cameras have been used to identify and apprehend suspects in a number of crimes.

The UChicago Safe Mobile App has numerous features including public safety contact information and the ability to send your location in real-time to a friend so they can keep track as you walk to your destination. The app is also a convenient way to request a safety escort, call UCPD, or access real-time shuttle information.

In the case of an emergency on campus, the University’s cAlert system provides rapid emergency notifications and instructions, via text message and email.

Security Alerts are automatically sent via email to all members of the University community, and anyone else who signs up to receive them, about significant crimes that have happened on or immediately adjacent to campus, in which a community threat is perceived. 

Security Alerts are archived on the DSS website and posted on UChicago Safe’s social media accounts. 

Crime Notices are an additional, opt-in way to receive timely emails about certain violent crimes that occur off-campus but within UCPD’s extended patrol area that are reported to UCPD. These notices are sent for three types of crime: Homicides, confirmed shootings of people, and patterns of robberies. Patterns of robberies are defined as three or more instance of a crime with characteristics that suggest they may be related. 

The Daily Crime Bulletin is an opt-in email delivered each weekday (Monday through Friday, excluding University holidays) that provides information about serious crimes within the UCPD’s extended patrol area and are reported to UCPD. 

To opt-in to any of these alerts and notices, visit the Department of Safety & Security website.

The University recently launched a Public Safety Advisory Council that engages campus and community members to provide input on the University’s safety and security efforts.

Members of UCPD’s Community Relations Unit work closely with local community groups, area schools, as well as local business leaders to solicit feedback and ideas on ways to enhance community resources. 

UCPD runs one of only two campus Police Athletics/Activities League (PAL) programs aimed at improving community relations between police and youth, specifically at-risk youth. 

UCPD works in close collaboration with Deans-on-Call to perform wellness checks on students, provide support after a crime, and help students in other emergency situations.

The Dean-on-Call can also connect students to after-hours health and counseling resources, such as the therapist-on-call, who is available 24 hours a day.

UCPD launched a dedicated Victims and Witness Services Unit to support victims of crime by connecting them with resources such as counseling and victims’ compensation services. The unit also provides guidance, such as helping individuals walk through the court system process.