May 2024

Campus Community,

Like many of you, DPS is looking forward to the warmer spring weather and mild temperatures. It’s an exciting time to be on campus. DPS has already started our spring safety programming. 

As you may have heard, DPS is working on an Off-Campus Safety Center plan. We are hoping to have a site secured by this summer so we can set a fall opening date. This location will support safety classes, services, engagement and many types of safety personnel working on and off campus. 

DPS also has numerous camera and light trailers already working in key locations in the Dinkytown area. 

Finally, UMPD officers are continuing to work with MPD in Dinkytown to increase visibility patrols in Dinkytown's high traffic areas. 

Our team is committed to ensuring you have a great campus experience, and we continue to focus on being responsive and engaging to your safety needs.

See you on campus!

Chief Matt Clark

Department of Public Safety

2024 President’s Student Leadership & Service Awards

On April 9th, Captain Lange and student employee Tierra Prescott celebrated Tierra's achievements and leadership at the 2024 President’s Student Leadership & Service Awards. It’s truly an honor to have you on our team- your passion for self defense and personal safety is inspiring and incredibly critical to campus community safety. DPS is incredibly proud of you, Tierra!

DPS Video Series: Theft Prevention on Campus

The Department of Public Safety launched an educational video series in 2023. The latest video shares tips and resources to help prevent theft on and off campus.

Dinkytown Area Expansion Pilot Project

As part of the ongoing partnership between agencies, UMPD is taking all 911 calls for MPD in the following area: University Ave SE to 4th St. SE, and 35W to Oak St. SE.

This area is a primary location for many university related organizations and students. This increase in mutual aid assistance to MPD is part of an ongoing commitment by the University of Minnesota and both agencies to further support public safety and provide safety services to the Marcy-Holmes East and Dinkytown area. This assistance includes the criminal investigations that result from responding to the 911 calls. The pilot program will last for a year and will be reassessed at that time.

Here's what you missed...

Extra UMPD Patrols in Dinkytown

You may have seen an increased UMPD presence in the Dinkytown area.

Our officers are out with a visible presence in Dinkytown at night in addition to increased daily patrols throughout the area.

If you see suspicious or criminal activity please call 911 or report it to the nearest police officer.

Spring Jam 2024

Our team enjoyed providing a safe and successful spring jam this year.

Thanks to all those who stopped at our booth to ask questions or get safety resources.

Coffee with a Cop events

UMPD hosted various Coffee with a Cop events in various locations providing coffee, donuts, and pastries.

Our team had great conversations around campus safety, resources, and training opportunities available.

Check out our social media on all platforms @UMNPUBLICSAFETY to learn about upcoming events.

Student Summit

DPS hosted a student safety feedback summit event on April 16th. The student summit event is open to all students to come and eat a free lunch and share feedback with the DPS team.

In addition to lunch and sharing feedback, DPS members provided safety resources and information on upcoming safety educational trainings.

Bike Theft Prevention & U-locks

Each year on campus bikes are stolen that are improperly secured. So we asked UMPD Bike Unit Officer Pelano to demonstrate the proper way to secure your bike to a bike rack on campus to help prevent the theft of your bicycle.

Additionally, UMPD will be doing a monthly drawing for free U-locks, if you are interested in signing up for the drawing, you can sign up here.

Recruiting & Mentorship

with Christina Mignone

It's been a busy spring so far! We had the chance to speak at Anoka and Andover High School. We also participated in public safety career panels at Osseo and Blaine High School and spoke with students about law enforcement and job opportunities at DPS.

We attended several career fairs, some of them included: Alexandria Tech Career Fair, Campus Diversity Job and Internship Fair at St. Cloud State the Law Enforcement & Fire Fighter Career Fair at the American Indian OIC, Mankato Criminal Justice Career - Internship Fair, Hmong American Partnership Career Fair/HAP Building, and more.

Our focus has been visibility and sharing the different career opportunities the DPS has to offer and the pathway to education as a full time employee. We are looking forward to the spring and nice weather. As we continue to talk with students about mentorship, encouraging personal growth and walking in the confidence of their abilities, we are also helping polish their interviewing skills and resume review.

Have a great summer and we will see you next year!!

Learn more about Community Liaison Dillon Gherna here

Community Connections

with Dillon Gherna

Wow, where has time gone? We are almost done with Spring semester! It has been a pleasure meeting and engaging with so many of you at our spring events!

I am personally looking forward to a great summer here on campus with events, new student orientation, and some exciting projects for the fall semester. As always we are continually open to hearing feedback and ideas from our campus community.

Our team shares important resources and information on our social media channels, I would encourage you all to follow us @UMNPUBLICSAFETY

Additionally, I am here as a resource for the entire University of Minnesota community, building relationships, providing resources, and supporting our collective goals to keep U safe.

Don't hesitate to reach out anytime.

Go Gophers!

-Burglary incidents have increased 184% from this time last year (2023). Half of these incidents involve individuals breaking into the steam tunnels. The second most targeted location is construction sites. There have been no (0) residential burglaries. 

-Auto thefts continue to decrease as the campus community is educated on the theft vulnerabilities of certain Hyundai and Kia models and how to protect their vehicles from being targeted. 

Welcome our new U-Security team members

Pictured above: Security Advisors Destiny, Noe, Schariff and Student Security Monitor Sam

Not Pictured: Security Operations Manager Patrick, Student Security Monitor Cole

Campus Safety Resources

SAFETY GUIDES

Safety Guides from Block by Block are actively patrolling in Dinkytown Thursday through Saturday nights

BLUE EMERGENCY KIOSKS

If you see the blue emergency kiosks and need help, press the help button.

The blue kiosks directly connect you with a DPS 911 dispatcher and provides the exact location of the kiosk, as well as the ability to view the camera on the kiosk.

There are over 60 blue emergency kiosks on campus located outdoors, tunnels and in Dinkytown.

624-WALK (Safety Escort Service)

Request a safe walk from a trained University Security employee, please call 612-624-WALK (9255), or 4-WALK from any campus phone. You can also visit this link to request online. Available 24/7/365.

RAVE Guardian App

Rave Guardian is a free phone app that provides University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff with access to virtual safety walking escorts and other helpful safety and security resources on campus. 

Campus Safety Resource Video

The Department of Public Safety launched a campus safety resource video for the campus community to learn about safety resources available to you on campus.

You can view it by clicking the video or visiting:

https://z.umn.edu/safetyvideo

SMART 911 APP

Smart911 is a free service that allows you to provide additional details that 9-1-1 dispatchers may need in order to assist you during an emergency. Anytime you make an emergency call from a phone registered with your Safety Profile, the 9-1-1 systems recognizes your phone number and automatically displays your profile on the screen of the dispatcher.

Active Threat Presentations & Online Training Course

The Department of Public Safety offers an online Active Threat training course through canvas. To take this training, please click the button below.

*Note: You must have a UM email address to enroll in the training*

The police department also offers trainings and information on what to do if there is an active threat on campus. 

To set up an in-person active threat training, please fill out a Community Outreach Officer form and indicate you would like an active threat presentation.

Officer Linda Graetz conducts the trainings at your location.

Scan the QR code or click the button to the take the online active threat training

Department of Public Safety - Community Engagement Team

Nick Juarez (DPS Director of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Christina Mignone (Recruiting, Engagement, Mentorship) Officer Linda Graetz (Community Engagement) Dillon Gherna (Community Engagement Liaison) Nithya Murikinati (International Student Intern)