Safety Advisory Bulletins
Pedestrian Safety
ROADWAYS ARE DANGEROUS PLACES FOR PEDESTRIANS
UMass Amherst has recently been beset by motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents that have resulted in serious bodily injury to the pedestrians. The UMPD is committed to preventing future similar occurrences and we are asking our community members to help by following personal safety guidelines set forth herein.
Massachusetts General Law states that a civil citation may be issued to a motor vehicle operator who fails to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk unless a traffic light indicates the motor vehicle should proceed, or the pedestrian is not within five feet of the motor vehicle’s side of the road. However, pedestrians should never presume that the crosswalk is a sanctuary because the law provides the right of way.
Be Alert:
1. Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic, so you can see any car that might be out of control or might have a driver who does not see you.
2. Dress to be seen. Brightly colored clothing makes it easier for drivers to see you during the daytime. At night, wear special reflective material on your shoes, cap, or jacket to reflect the headlights of cars coming towards you.
3. Tips for crossing the street:
• Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
• Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
• Stop and look left, then right, then left again, before you step into the street.
• If you see a car, wait until it goes by or stops. Then look left, right and left again until no cars are coming.
These guidelines are suggested by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. They are intended to remind us that we have responsibility for our personal safety and we cannot always rely on other people to keep us safe.
This notice is intended for informational purposes only and is not the result of any investigation or specific knowledge about the existence of inadequate personal safety measures by individuals.
Weapons Advisory
The UMass Amherst Police Department would like members of the campus community to be informed about the state laws that apply on campus that may differ from what was acceptable at your previous residence. One such area of concern involves firearms and dangerous weapons. The presence of firearms in a college setting can be disruptive and frightening to the members of the community. While most people immediately recognize the hazards, some may be unaware or naïve about the laws of the Commonwealth regarding firearms and other weapons.
It is a violation of Massachusetts General Law to possess a firearm on school grounds (this includes your residence hall room). It does not matter if you are properly licensed to carry a firearm in the State of Massachusetts; it is still a crime to bring it to UMass Amherst. (Unlicensed possession is an additional and more serious crime.) The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has recently ruled that even a “BB gun” is a firearm for purpose of this statute. The more obvious firearms include pistols, rifles, and shotguns. If it is determined that you have a firearm or other dangerous weapon at this university, you are subject to criminal prosecution in State Court and/or suspension or expulsion from UMass Amherst.
MGL Chapter 269 s 10(j)
“Whoever, not being a law enforcement officer…carries on his person a firearm…loaded or unloaded or other dangerous weapon in any building or on any grounds of any elementary or secondary school, college or university… shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.”
MGL Chapter 269 s10 (felony) also prohibits possession of “dangerous weapons” and lists many types of weapons that are considered inherently dangerous, including but not limited to: several types of knives, metallic knuckles, nunchaku (two sticks attached to each other by a rope, chain…), shuriken or similar pointed star like throwing object, any armband, made with leather which has metallic spikes, points or pointed studs, or other dangerous weapon.
If you unwittingly brought any dangerous weapon to UMass Amherst it is in your best interest to remove it from the premises immediately. If you are found to have a dangerous weapon in your possession, the consequences may affect your future ability to obtain or maintain a firearms license, in addition to the penalties listed above.
If you have knowledge of someone in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon, or if you have other concerns about this issue please contact the UMPD at 413-545-2121 (5-2121 from campus phones), the UMPD Detective Unit at 413-545-0893, or through the anonymous tip line (413-577-8477, 7-8477 from campus phones).
This notice is intended for informational purposes only and is not the result of any investigation or specific knowledge about the existence of illegal items.
