One of the main goals of the University of Houston-Downtown is to provide an excellent education for all its students in a safe and inviting environment. To this end, UHD’s Police Department encourages community members to aid in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all UHD students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Here are some safety tips while on campus:

General Awareness and Campus Resources

  • Campus Police/Security: Save the on-campus emergency phone number in your phone: 713.221.8911. For on-campus non-emergencies, call 713.221.8065.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: If you see something that seems out of place or makes you uncomfortable, report it to UHD Police immediately. You are not overreacting, and your report could prevent a crime.
  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay alert and aware of the people and environment around you. Avoid being distracted by your phone or headphones, especially when walking alone. Walk with confidence and purpose.
  • Know Your Campus: Take the time to learn the layout of the campus and the surrounding area. Identify well-lit, populated routes and avoid shortcuts through dark or secluded areas.
  • Utilize Campus Safety Services: UHD offers a variety of services to keep the campus community safe. Familiarize yourself with them.
    • SafeZone Application: The app is free to all UHD students and employees, and it operates across the entirety of both the Downtown and Northwest campuses. To download, simply go to the app store on your phone, then search for SafeZone by CriticalArc. Users must sign up with their UHD email address to access all of the SafeZone app features.
    • Police Call Boxes: Yellow police call boxes are located near all entrances/exits to all buildings on campus and at the entrance and exit to the parking garage and satellite parking areas. Police call boxes are also located in all elevators.
    • Campus Escort Service: To ensure the safety of all faculty, staff, students and visitors, the UHD Police Department provides police escort assistance. To request an escort to your vehicle, visit the Police Department in Suite N118 or notify the police dispatcher via any police call box. This service is available 24 hours a day.
    • Motorist Assistance: To request assistance, contact the Police Department at 713-221-8065 or notify the police dispatcher via any police call box. Vehicles parked in covered parking garages will be accommodated.

Personal Safety

  • Practice the "Buddy System": There is safety in numbers. Always try to walk with at least one other person, especially after dark.
  • Have an Emergency Plan: Always let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a plan for how you will get home safely.
  • Consider Self-Defense: Learning basic techniques can provide confidence and valuable skills. Carrying a personal safety device such as a whistle, personal alarm, or pepper spray can also be a deterrent.
  • Be Mindful of Social Media: Avoid sharing your location, personal information, or travel plans publicly on social media, as it can make you a target.

Securing Your Belongings

  • Lock Up Everything: This is a simple but crucial habit. Always lock the door to your apartment or house, even if you are just stepping out for a minute. The same goes for your car and bicycle.
  • Secure Your Valuables: Never leave valuable items like laptops, phones, wallets, or backpacks unattended in public places like libraries or the dining hall. If you must step away, take your belongings with you or ask a trusted friend to watch them.
  • Mark Your Property: Engrave your electronics and other valuables with a unique identifier like your driver's license number. This precaution makes them less appealing to thieves and easier for police to return if they are recovered. For more information, visit the crime prevention webpage on uhd.edu.

This list of safety tips was created, in part, with the aid of artificial intelligence.