With the start of the new school year and many students moving to the Marquette campus for the first time, MUPD offers tips to increase safety and security on campus and in our surrounding community.
For a comprehensive list of safety tips, visit the MUPD Safety Tips website.
Stay connected:
- Please remember that safety alerts are sent to Marquette students, faculty and staff when there is an active threat to campus. A text notification is sent first, followed by an email with additional information about the incident. Should a serious emergency unfold on campus, text messages are the fastest way to mass-communicate essential information and to direct people to safety. Make sure you are signed up to receive text alerts. If you are unsure how, visit this reminder of the safety alert process. Parents and guardians are additionally able to sign up for safety text alerts.
- Download MUPD’s free safety app, EagleEye. The app features a mobile BlueLight feature that connects you directly to MUPD and sends the device’s location in real-time. The EagleEye app is free and available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android; it can also be found by searching “Marquette EagleEye” in either app store.
- If you observe any suspicious behavior or fear for your safety at any time, contact MUPD at (414) 288-1911 or through one of the more than 450 blue light phones on and near campus. Enter MUPD’s number in your phone so you have it handy at all times.
Stay aware to reduce your vulnerability:
- Always travel in pairs or groups, being aware of your surroundings at all times. Make sure someone knows when you leave and when to expect you back.
- Take note of suspicious vehicles, especially those that appear to be circling the block or driving unusually slow. If you observe a suspicious vehicle, relay its description and location to MUPD using one of the more than 450 blue light phones on and near campus.
- Travel on well-lit, busy streets and avoid walking through alleys and parking lots.
- If you think someone is following you, cross the street, head for a well-populated, well-lit area and contact MUPD using one of the more than 450 blue light phones on and near campus.
- Remain observant of your surroundings and cognizant of vehicles. Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. When crossing the street, don’t assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with drivers, don’t just look at the vehicle.
- When using a ride-sharing service or taxi for transportation, please take steps to ensure your safety:
- Make sure to match your driver’s name, car and license plate with the information provided through the app on your phone.
- Avoid anyone who offers a ride when it is not clear that they are directly affiliated with an established taxi or ride-sharing service.
- More ride-sharing safety tips are available here.
- Do not become distracted by talking on your cell phone or listening to music through headphones at a high volume.
- Be aware of places along your path of travel that could conceal a criminal (shrubbery, building recesses, etc.). Avoid or keep a distance from these areas whenever possible.
Be proactive with training and resources:
- Vacant house watch during academic breaks: During academic breaks, MUPD offers the Vacant House Watch program to students residing in the near-off-campus neighborhood. Students can use this form to register their residences with MUPD before leaving campus for winter break. During break, officers monitor vacant residences during their routine patrols of the neighborhood.
- Ride EagleExpress: The EagleExpress rideshare service provides free shared rides as an alternative to walking alone. With the app, it’s easy to request a ride for yourself and up to three friends, view the approximate wait time and track your ride. EagleExpress vans run 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily and provide door-to-door service from locations starting and ending on campus. There are eight vans in the fleet, each holding up to 12 passengers, as well as a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, which holds four passengers. As a reminder, the MUPD patrol zone has changed, with the EagleExpress service area adjusting in tandem.
- MUPD offers several free self-defense classes: The free self-defense program uniquely combines a hands-on approach to learning effective techniques with information about the latest national and local crime trends. Designed for female and male audiences, the self-defense program’s classes incorporate simple strategies for escaping potentially dangerous situations. Schedules and a sign-up form are available on the MUPD website.
- Conduct in-person transactions for online buying/selling at MUPD: The lobby of MUPD is available as a safe place for completing transactions of items bought and sold online. For your safety, all transactions that originate in online marketplaces such as Craigslist or Facebook should be conducted at your local police stations. MUPD is located at 749 N. 16th St., between Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street.
Learn more on the university safety website, where you can review frequently asked questions.
