The University of Washington is one of the nation's outstanding universities. For a community of approximately 36,000 students and 22,000 faculty and staff, it is a relatively safe place to be; however, it is subject to many of the same problems that occur in the greater urban community in which it is located. The following information has been prepared to increase your awareness of programs that exist to protect your safety and well-being. Portions are also provided in compliance with laws of the State of Washington (RCW 28B.10.569), the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (20 USC '1145g), and the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (20 USC '1092).
The primary responsibility for law enforcement on the campus rests with the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD). The UWPD is a fully state-accredited state police force and works closely with the Seattle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Located in the southwest portion of the campus at 1117 N.E. Boat Street, the police station is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The department employs 52 commissioned police officers who have the same authority as other law enforcement officers. All officers are graduates of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.
Commissioned officers patrol the campus on a 24-hour basis and staff a crime prevention unit, a detective unit, a traffic unit, and the Residence Hall Patrol, a unit specifically assigned to the residence halls. In addition to the commissioned officers, the police department also houses Parking Enforcement, the Parking Violations Division, the Parking Citations Hearing Offices, and the Lock Shop.
The University of Washington Police Department is committed to the accurate gathering and timely dissemination of crime statistics and related information. The UWPD attempts to disseminate timely warning reports about crimes through postings on the Department's Web page and through the use of email. Victims and witnesses are encouraged to report crimes to the UWPD and may do so on a confidential basis. The UWPD monitors and records, on an annual basis, information provided by the Seattle Police Department about criminal activity in geographical areas of Seattle that include off-campus locations of student organizations.
Watch out for yourself, a brochure published by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, contains important information on crime prevention and campus safety, including tips for students on protecting themselves and their property, and a map of major walkways and emergency telephones. Copies are available at the University Police station, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in Schmitz Hall, the Student Union Building (HUB), South Campus Center, and the front desks of McMahon, McCarty, Haggett and Terry residence halls.
Other campus crime prevention programs offered by the UWPD include: personal protection seminars, robbery prevention seminars, hostile client/workplace violence seminars, loss prevention seminars, engraving and bicycle registration.
These programs and other techniques are available in Administrative Policy Statement 13.6.
Access to University facilities is governed by Administrative Policy Statement 13.3, "Building Security Regulations," and Chapter 478-136 WAC, "Use of University of Washington Facilities.