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Campus Community,
It is exciting for all of us at DPS to welcome back our students and faculty. We are excited about another school year, and have been working through the summer to promote safety on and off campus.
Specifically off campus, we are opening the Off Campus Safety Center on Sept. 6th. This center will be a place to support safety education and engagement during the day, host a safe study space for students from 9am-11pm M-F, and house our Ambassador and Somali Youth Link workers. Please join us in participating in any of the many Safety Center events this year!
Overall, we’ve seen crime on and off campus steadily decrease over the summer. I’m hopeful this trend will continue through the school year. As always, please let us know how we can help you promote safe habits and safety programming.
Have a safe school year Gophers!
Chief Matt Clark
Department of Public Safety
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DPS Opens the Off Campus Safety Center | |
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On Friday September 6th, The Department of Public Safety officially opened the Off Campus Safety Center located in the former Kitty Cat Klub space in Dinkytown. The safety center offers a relaxing secure student study space, safety resources, a university department partnership space to host events, and will host various DPS trainings for students, staff and faculty.
The center is open to students, faculty, and staff Monday thru Friday from 9am - 11pm and is accessed by UCARD.
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National Black Police Officers Association Gala | |
On September 7th, Chief Clark along with UMPD officers and staff attended the National Black Police Officers Association 10th anniversary celebration. | |
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. | |
Here's what you missed... | |
New Cultural Liaison
Please join us in welcoming Abdirashid Ali as our newest member of our Community Engagement team.
Abdirashid Ali serves as the Cultural Liaison with the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety Community Engagement team, bringing nearly 8 years of experience as a civilian in law enforcement where he has specialized in similar roles. His extensive background in working with diverse communities positions him as a key figure in fostering inclusive and effective communication with the University community.
Abdirashid Ali has been spending time engaging on and off campus, focused on building relationships with University community members, faculty, staff and business owners in Dinkytown.
Abdirashid Ali is dedicated to making the University of Minnesota a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.
If you see Abdirashid, please help us welcome him to the University Community.
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Extra UMPD Patrols in Dinkytown
You may have seen an increased UMPD presence in the Dinkytown area throughout the summer and into the fall.
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.
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President Cunningham joined DPS on Dinkytown Safety Walk
President Cunningham joined members of the community, DPS, MPD, Campus Safety Coalition, and other University officials to tour the new Off Campus Safety Center in Dinkytown. After the tour President Cunningham spent 2+ hours walking through the Dinkytown and Marcy-Holmes East neighborhoods discussing student safety, neighborhood concerns, and impromptu greetings from students along the way.
Thank you President Cunningham for being a part of our safety walks through Dinkytown.
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Welcome Week Events
🌟 Thank you to everyone who engaged with us at Welcome Week events! 🌟
Thank you for all of the engaging questions about campus safety, resources available on and off campus, your willingness to learn, your energy, your pride and spirit! Go Gophers!
Also a huge thank you to all of the UMPD Police Officers who supported thousands of students, parents, and community members as they walked throughout campus from one event to the next.
We hope this week has helped you feel at home and excited for the journey ahead. Remember, this is just the beginning of a fantastic adventure, and we’re glad you are on campus!
GO GOPHERS!
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Night to Unite
DPS members visited Pillsbury Court, Como Student Community Cooperative, and Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative for Night to Unite activities.
Community members got rides in the Chief's motorcycle side car, colored with sidewalk chalk, pet our K-9's, had bubble blowing contests and even a few pickup games of basketball. Thanks for sharing your Night to Unite with us!
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Youth Bike Safety Camps
UMPD Bike Patrol Officers conducted two youth bike safety camps this summer. One was held at Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative and one held at Como Student Community Cooperative.
Kids attending learned how to safely operate a bike, were given a bike helmet, recognize safety signage on roadways and bike trails, and completed a safe bike operation course. Target donated two bikes and bike safety items that were raffled off to attendees.
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Youth Summer Camps
Each summer DPS is invited to the St. Paul campus to educate youth summer camp attendees on important safety information, the kids get to meet some of our K9 officers and get to tour/try on some of our equipment. This is a highlight of our summer and such a great group of kids!
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UMPD through (Intern)ational Eyes
with Nithya Murikinati
Nithya Murikinati joined our CET team as our ISSS Student Intern. Nithya is currently pursuing an MS in Data Science. Her role focuses on partnering with our international students regarding safety concerns and providing safety education and resources.
Please reach out to Nithya with any international student questions or concerns.
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Recruiting & Mentorship
with Christina Mignone
Welcome back Gophers!
We are excited about the school year and have so many engagement opportunities for you.
We have been busy planning several recruitment events and career fairs.
Stop by and visit DPS at the on campus career fairs to learn more about student jobs we will be hiring for: 9/5 UMN Twin Cities Undergrad Student Job Fair-RecWell Center, 9/26 UMN CLA Career & Internship Fair, 9/27 Carlson School of Business Career & Internship Fair, 10/21 We are hosting the Women in Public Safety Career Fair at CMU Great Hall, 10/25 UMN Twin Cities Campus Government & Non-Profit Career Fair.
Have a great year!
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Learn more about Community Liaison Dillon Gherna here | |
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Community Connections
with Dillon Gherna
Welcome back to campus, Gophers!
The fall semester kicked off a couple of weeks ago with a ton of welcome week activities and events, it was so great to meet so many of you! We just recently opened an Off Campus Safety Center and safe student study space, located in Dinkytown that we hope you will come visit! Psst... Free coffee and popcorn daily!
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!
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While burglaries have increased more than 60% over the past three years, the vast majority (nearly 90%) are burglaries of a business (vs. residential burglaries). These tend to be break-ins into the steam tunnels, or entering construction sites and offices. | Thefts continue to decrease and remain below pre-pandemic levels. | |
Welcome our new DPS team members
Pictured above (Left to right): Community Service Officers Sadaya Stowers, Jordan Murschel, Tiffany Sheid, Zahra Sheikh, Pyper Doo. Records Technician Marcie Killian and Security Supervisor Kayse Mohamed.
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Self Defense Workshops
with McKenna Kipp
Self Defense Workshops are offered throughout the academic year. They cover personal safety awareness and how to stay vigilant. Participants are shown simple self-defense moves and are given a chance to practice.
Students, faculty and staff can sign up for upcoming workshops.
We have upcoming workshops at the University Recreation and Wellness Center. To sign up to attend a workshop please follow this link HERE
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Active Threat Presentations & Online Training Course | | |
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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.
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Scan the QR code or click the button to the take the online active threat training | |
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The policing climate and community expectations continue to evolve and change. Our team wants to connect with you, we are in a time where positive collective efforts are needed.
To learn more about Community Engagement contact Director Nicholas Juarez at juar0008@umn.edu
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