Marquette University makes safety a top priority

Marquette University is committed to providing the safest environment possible in which to learn, live and work. Through Marquette University Police Department’s expansive patrol operations, on- and off-campus outreach and nationally recognized Department of Campus Safety, Marquette continues to set the standard in excellence in comprehensive campus safety efforts.

The university continuously addresses campus and community safety with innovative programming, educational efforts, technological advances and the best-trained campus law enforcement staff in the area. In addition to these ongoing efforts, last year President Michael R. Lovell announced safety and security actions, saying that “a safe campus community is paramount for our entire Marquette community.” The President’s Task Force on Community Safety was established to address safety and security on campus and in the community through actionable and lasting solutions for individual and institutional safety measures, communications, resources and partnerships. Members included students, parents and community partners who worked alongside Marquette University faculty and staff to develop 30-day, 60-day and longer-term recommendations.

Lt. Jim Hensley speaks to freshmen students during orientation.

Fast facts by the numbers:

These efforts resulted in quick changes and recommendations to implement lasting solutions. Here are some of the ways the university made safety a top priority in 2022.

  • 68 – Public safety professionals, including 48 law enforcement officers in the Marquette University Police Department, a commissioned police force
  • 15,000+ — Marquette students, faculty, staff and parents served by MUPD’s dedicated safety alert notification system
  • 1,219 — Security cameras that are installed throughout the Marquette University campus
  • 450 – Blue Light phones connect immediately to MUPD and have cameras that are always recording the area
  • 90,353 — Evening safe rides on campus shuttles provided in 2022

Putting safety first

Announced in November 2022 and launched in January 2023, the LIMO transportation program became EagleExpress as the service leveraged technology and released a new app. The new EagleExpress service is active for the spring 2023 semester with all rides requested, dispatched and managed through the app.

Marquette launched a new comprehensive university safety website in November that has additional safety resources and makes it easier for students, families, faculty and staff to navigate useful safety information online.

As part of the President’s Task Force on Community Safety, Marquette and its neighborhood stakeholders identified safety and security priorities and proposed solutions for individual and institutional safety measures, communications, resources and partnerships and more which included:

  • A new behavioral health unit of MUPD to proactively work with those in need of services who have, or could have, repeated contact with police.
  • Activated direct patrol missions to reduce the possibility of crime in specific areas.
  • Installed new lighting at the Dental School parking and improved landscaping to reduce potential of crime.
  • Highlighted safety messaging at SPARK, new student orientation and signage throughout campus.
  • Partnered with the Near West Side neighborhood to provide tours to students.

Parents and guardians can now enroll in safety alert text messages, allowing them to receive the same accurate, timely texts their students do.

More safety infrastructures were updated in 2022, including secured access with MUIDs for residence halls and evening access to the Alumni Memorial Union.

Marquette University hosted the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, and the Community Collaborative Commission for a “Reimagining Public Safety” community gathering session at Marquette Law School. This was the first of 15 sessions — one in each aldermanic district in Milwaukee.

Marquette encouraged everyone to conduct a cybersecurity check-up on their devices, online accounts and passwords.

MUSG hosted a Campus Safety Student Forum in March.

During National Police Week, the Marquette community celebrated the Marquette University Police Department for its dedication to maintaining a safe environment to learn, live and work.

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