The beginning of a new academic year is upon us. And this represents a new beginning, as well, for many students and employees at the University of Delaware.

Educating new students, faculty and staff about the available safety and wellness resources and services is a responsibility embraced by the University of Delaware Police Department.

“We maintain a firm commitment to preserving safety at the University of Delaware,” said Patrick Ogden, associate vice president and chief of UD Police. “Our UDPD officers and support personnel work on campus and in our community to promote the services and programs we provide, so they know how and when to reach us in a moment of need.”

September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month. In recognition, here’s what you need to know about UD Police and the University’s commitment to ensuring your safety:

What to do in an emergency

Dial 911 for all emergencies, whether on- or off-campus, or 302-831-UDPD for non-emergency situations. You also can visit UD Police at 413 Academy Street. Recently, UD installed an additional 10 safety blue lights across campus that connect directly with UD Police. (There are dozens on the Newark campus, as noted with the blue dots on this map.)

UD Police’s Communication Center

When contacting the UD Police, UDPD’s 911 Communication Center is there to help. Staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 365 days each year, the UD Police call center maintains a standard of dispatching in less than two minutes for all emergency calls received. UD Police is one of only 12 agencies in the state of Delaware with a 911 call center.

UD Alert

An important element in UD Police’s safety-communication system, UD Alert offers a succinct description of an incident, including the type of crime and the location, date, and time it occurred, among other key details. These messages are sent when there is an imminent danger to the safety and welfare of the UD community. The UD Alert system supports the University’s adherence to the Clery Act — federal legislation that requires institutions to share timely warnings in an expedited manner. Learn more about UD Alert and confirm your contact information to ensure you can receive UD Alerts.

LiveSafe app

This free smartphone app is a supplement to the UD Alert system. “The LiveSafe app is like having a blue light phone right in your pocket,” Ogden said. LiveSafe helps users prevent crime and assists users in responding to incidents, like road closures and other non-emergency situations. LiveSafe also provides a Safe Walk, with students asking friends or family to virtually escort them to their destination and providing real-time location alerts. Anyone can download and use the LiveSafe app, including parents, community members and visitors to UD’s campus.

Gold-standard accreditation

UD Police is among several university law enforcement agencies in the country to be accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), widely considered the gold standard in public safety on college and university campuses. UDPD holds a second CALEA accreditation for its 911 call center, too.

Safe-ride service

This free service is available to all students, faculty, and staff from UD property or contiguous street, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Arrange a pick-up by calling 302-831-RIDE; using one of the campus blue light phones; or by downloading and using the LiveSafe app.

Cameras on campus

UD has more than 1,100 public safety cameras on campus. An ongoing, multi-phased project will introduce several dozen more to the entrances and exits of campus residence halls, bringing UD’s total to nearly 300 in those spaces.

Advancing equity in policing

UD Police is one of 80 police departments at American colleges and universities — and one of only two Delaware police departments — to partner with the 30x30 Initiative and commit to improved inclusivity and gender diversity of its officers, staff members and administrative leaders. In Delaware, UDPD is one of only two departments to join the policing-diversity initiative.

Access control hardware

A multi-phased project to install access control hardware and surveillance cameras at additional campus locations is currently underway. These measures, including new card readers and electronic door locks, will provide for a safer campus.

Stay vigilant

If you see something, say something by contacting UD Police. Protect yourself and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking alone at night. Follow common sense safety precautions at all times. Keep the doors to your vehicle and residence locked. Be cognizant of who is entering the buildings; do not allow people you don’t know to “tailgate” into your residence hall. Register your bike with UD Parking Services. Report maintenance issues like broken locks or windows.

Continuous education and training

In 2023, UD Police and UD’s Office of Emergency Management partnered to coordinate three days of active-assailant exercises, educational sessions and preparedness training. These seminars and exercises brought together more than 200 participants — from UD employees in various functional areas and dozens of first responders and University partners from the Newark Police Department, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company — to assure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a major incident on campus. 

Learn more

UD Police offers educational programs and services annually to better serve the University community. These include an active shooter preparedness program, a rape aggression self-defense program and more.

Other campus resources

A wealth of resources and services is available to you through UD if you believe you are a victim of a crime. There are countless other resources available at UD to support you on your path to success — from student counseling and diversity and inclusion, to overall student wellbeing.