As you know, the Michigan State University family is reeling from the devastating mass shooting last night in East Lansing. The Titan community expresses our sincerest condolences and ask that everyone send thoughts and prayers to those impacted by this tragedy.
It is important to note that the Detroit Mercy Leadership Team, Public Safety Department, and law enforcement agencies in southeast Michigan recently participated in a training to address active shooter situations. The leadership team is committed to these trainings throughout each academic year and will continue to play a role in helping to ensure the safety of our community. For more about Public Safety information and protocols, view the Public Safety website. To review the institution’s Emergency Response Plan, click here.
Department of Public Safety
University of Detroit Mercy has its own Department of Public Safety, staffed by Licensed Private Security Police Officers. All Private Security Police Officers are former or current sworn law enforcement officers from local municipality Police Departments. Officers come from a variety of different backgrounds and contribute to the department with their individual knowledge, training and experience. Officers are on our campuses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They patrol on foot, on bikes and in marked and unmarked vehicles.
In addition to nonstop campus coverage, UDM’s Public Safety Department offers many services including:
- Safety escorts to anywhere on campus so students never have to walk alone to their car or residence hall after a late night at the library or Student Union. Escorts are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
- RAVE Emergency Alert System: Students and parents can register for Detroit Mercy emergency communications and be among the first to receive alerts on campus-wide class cancellations or other emergency notices via text message and email through the Rave Mobile Safety System. Text UDMERCY to 67283 to opt-in.
- Educational programs such as what students should do to stay safe, sexual assault prevention, cyberstalking, and dating violence.
- Emergency medical assistance is available at all times from officers certified in first aid and CPR.
- Be on the Lookout notifications (BOLOS), 24-hour alerts by email, text and phone regarding police incidents on or near campus
- Motor vehicle assistance to jumpstart batteries and unlock vehicles.
A low rate of crime, and getting lower
We work hard at keeping our community safe, and our crime statistics show that work is paying off. Under the federal Jeanne Clery Act, on- and off-campus incidents in the immediate area must be reported and made publicly accessible. But even if reporting was not required, we would be happy to make our stats public. They show a low rate of criminal incident, especially for a university of UDM’s size. Even those incidents are declining. You can view the latest statistics available from 2019 through 2022. You can also compare UDM’s stats to those of other universities in Michigan by going to the U.S. Department of Education’s Campus Safety and Security page.
What if an incident happens on our campus?
Even the greatest police force in the world can’t prevent difficult events from happening. However, we are ready in case they do.
We have a three-step emergency preparedness plan in place. The strategies include identifying the emergency condition, activating the Emergency Management Team, sharing first responder and emergency procedures, building containment procedures, deciding on campus closures and other important components to keep your student safe.
A proactive community is the best defense
The prevention of criminal acts depends not just on safety professionals but on the active cooperation of everyone in the community. To help educate and equip students, we offer numerous programs and courses, including:
- Alcohol and drug abuse prevention
- Auto theft seminars
- Campus crime watch programs
- Self-protection seminars
- Sexual assault seminars
Help your student stay safe and protect their personal property. Students should:
- Pre-program the public safety number, 313-993-1234, into their phones
- Familiarize themselves with routes between residence halls or car and class activities
- Always tell someone where they are going and when they will return
- Stick to well-lit and busy areas
- Get money from an ATM inside a building not outside
- Always lock cars and rooms, even if they leave for only a minute
- Never prop open exit doors on residence halls
- Never loan their ID card to anyone