Community Outreach
Outreach is the backbone of the UMPD community policing initiative, and we offer several programs designed to foster community involvement, cooperation, and communication. Coordinating these programs is Community Outreach Officer, Mark Whelihan.
Outreach Programs
Our community outreach officer has completed hundreds of residence hall talks, conducted security surveys, and initiated crime prevention efforts such as Like It, Lock It, Keep It! and the Office Watch Program. The campus community has embraced these programs, which have helped members of the community become more aware of their personal security as well as that of their property.
Like It, Lock It, Keep It! and the Office Watch Program. are the first two phases of a three-phase effort to prevent thefts on campus. Like It, Lock It, Keep It! focuses on residence halls, Office Watch Program., focuses on offices, and the third phase will focus on parking lots. The Like It, Lock It, Keep It! program has reduced thefts in residence hall by more than 30 percent over the past year.
Additionally, our community efforts have included a robust Safe Celebrations campaign that reached out to the students through one-on-one discussions, residence hall talks, dining common visits, posters and informational handouts, and table tents. The program helped students understand laws around public gatherings and encouraged responsible celebration following major sporting events. These efforts have made a significant impact with the students as incidents of crime and damage have decreased significantly.
UMPD outreach has also pursued more interaction with our neighboring communities. This has included better communication with the Town of Amherst and local police departments as well as involvement with entities such as the Hadley Elementary School, Marks Meadow School, and the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
Crime Prevention and Safety Awareness Programs
Our officers will arrange any of the following crime prevention programs and presentations for your group or organization. Contact the UMPD Community Outreach Officer at 413-545-9461 or pspmail@admin.umass.edu for details.
Operation Identification
Crime Reporting
Bicycle Safety
Harassing Phone Calls
Help Phones
Residence Hall Security Escort Services
TIPS Line
Campus Watch Program - Like It, Lock It, Keep It
Fire Safety
Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)
Sexual Assault Prevention
Alcohol Abuse Prevention
In addition, we can tailor a program to meet your organization’s needs.
All new students and staff members participate in crime prevention and safety awareness programs as they enter the university community. During New Student Orientation, students and parents learn about crime on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods, as well as about the resources that the UMPD offers. New employees learn similar information during their orientation as well. We also offer crime prevention programs and sexual assault prevention programs on a continual basis, as well as sessions on Rohypnol abuse, theft, vandalism, personal safety, and residence hall security. In addition to seminars, the UMPD disseminates information to students and employees through crime prevention awareness packets, security alert posters, displays, videos, and articles in student newspapers.
