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National Safety Month
June is recognized as National Safety Month, a time designated to pay extra attention to the importance of safety in all aspects of our lives. At the University of Houston, many resources and services are offered to the campus community to keep them safe both on and off campus. These include Community Emergency Response Training, CPR/AED Training, Fire Safety Training, and Active Shooter Training, to name a few. Read more about National Safety Month and all the available resources to the campus community.
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Month
More than half of University of Houston students, staff, and faculty drive to campus daily, parking their vehicles in one of the campus parking zones and garages. With the large number of single-passenger cars on campus, the parking zones and garages can become thieves' targets. July is recognized as Motor Theft Prevention Month, and UHPD has compiled five important reminders all UH drivers should heed. Learn more about Motor Theft Prevention Month and how you can keep your car safe on campus.
2023 Safety Service Metrics
In 2023, the University of Houston provided 6,443 after-hour rides delivered by the Cougar Ride Service, while the University of Houston Police Department provided 6,432 security escorts with a response time of under 16 minutes. These are only a tiny fraction of the safety service metrics from 2023 that showcase how the university keeps the campus community safe. Discover 2023's Safety Service Metrics, including how many campus buildings were inspected by Fire & Life Safety, how many campus community members attended safety training, and much more.
Meet University of Houston's First Responders
First Responders play a crucial role in everyday life as they are often the first to arrive and provide aid, whether responding to safety, fire, medical, hazardous materials, or other similar emergencies. At the University of Houston, the departments designated as first responders are ready to assist the campus community at the drop of a hat. Meet the first responders on campus and learn about their important role in keeping the UH campus community safe.
Students Learn about Disaster Preparedness in Largest CERT Class
The Office of Emergency Management and Fire Life & Safety held its largest spring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training with 29 students, faculty, and staff, making it the largest CERT training at the University of Houston. While faculty and staff members have been heavily represented in past CERT trainings, this spring edition proved to be popular with students. They made up almost half of the spring class, with 13 students participating. Read more about the largest-ever CERT class.

UHPD Introduces new Assistant Police Chief
The University of Houston Police Department has a new assistant chief, and the new hire is excited that his return to law enforcement is at the University of Houston. Ryan Erwin, a law enforcement veteran, returns to university police work after spending the past three years working in corporate security. Before then, he spent 17 years with the University of Texas Medical Branch, ultimately serving as the assistant chief at this institution. Learn more about the new UHPD Assistant Police Chief.
OEM’s Hurrican Preparedness and Response Guide
Hurricane season is upon us, and the Office of Emergency Management has developed a Hurricane Response Guide to assist the campus community with tips for pre-storm preparation, post-storm recovery, and the management of campus during a storm. The guide also provides tropical weather terms and breaks down what steps the campus will take in a hurricane. Learn more about hurricane preparedness and what to have in your hurricane readiness kit.
UHPD Receives Reaccreditation by IACLEA
The University of Houston Police Department was awarded Reaccreditation by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. The accreditation constitutes the recognition that a department conforms to the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services. The accreditation process consists of five steps: Candidacy, Self-Assessment, On-site assessment, Commission Review and Award, and Maintain Compliance.
Campus Safety Launches New Website
Campus Safety launched a brand new website that houses information about the four units that make up the department. Site visitors can find information about Environmental Health & Safety, Fire & Life Safety, Occupational Health Services, and the Office of Emergency Management. The website offers visitors an opportunity to learn about each Campus Safety department and their roles on campus. Learn more about these units by visiting the Campus Safety website.

UIT Charters Campus Safety Upgrades and Initiatives
Since 2020, University Information Technology (UIT) has chartered 36 large-scale projects that aim to improve campus safety and security. The projects include implementing security cameras and additional code blue phones across all parking lots, garages, and buildings, upgrading security cameras, upgrading the video management system, and implementing an emergency call button on the UH Go app, to name a few. Read more about the upgrades and initiatives that UIT has chartered and see what zones the cameras are being installed in by looking at the UH map.
OEM attends Fort Bend County Ready Expo
Fort Bend County hosted its Ready Expo, showcasing diverse organizations dedicated to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery within the community. The UH Office of Emergency Management, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the US Army, and Texas Search and Rescue are just some of the representatives who attended. Maia Solomon, a UH Office of Emergency Management Specialist, represented the department and shared information with residents on emergency-related training
UHPD Hosts The Clery Center for Three-Day Training
UHPD hosted The Clery Center at the UH Hilton for a three-day training with 40 attendees from across the Unites States. The Clery Center is a national non-profit dedicated to helping college students and university officials meet the standard of the Jeanne Clery Act, which requires universities to record campus crime statistics. Attendees better understood Clergy Geography, which details where a crime occurred (on campus, off campus, public property), and received a refresher on information needed to file a report.
Fire & Life Safety provides Fire Safety Training to Sigma Nu Fraternity Members
The UH Deputy Fire Marshal, Philip Rey, spent the afternoon with the Sigma Nu fraternity at their new off-campus fraternity house located on Polk St. Rey conducted a fire and life safety inspection of their house, taught general fire safety, and let the fraternity members practice putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher. These activities help fraternity members build a stronger foundation of fire safety. Learn more about how to schedule a fire safety training course for your department.
Department of Campus Safety Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan
On July 27, the Department of Campus Safety launched its new strategic plan for the next five years. Assistant Vice Chancellor/Assistant Vice President of Campus Safety, Kelly Boysen, presented the new strategic plan to the staff members of Campus Safety during their Campus Safety Reimagined breakfast in order to share the roadmap for the next five years. Read more about the five-year strategic plan.
Permitless Carry Update
The Texas Legislature enacted the Firearm Carry Act, HB 1927, which provides for Permitless Carry (sometimes referred to as “Constitutional Carry”) in certain places and under certain circumstances. HB 1927 excludes universities from the places where permitless carry is allowed. More information can be found at MAPP 07.01.05 – Campus Carry Policy and on the UH Police Department campus carry website.
UH Police Department
The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) strives to enable students, faculty and staff, and visitors to be safe while pursuing their on campus endeavors.

Resources

Emergency Call Boxes Across Campus
Emergency call boxes are placed at various locations across the University of Houston campus. The call boxes can place a call directly to the UHPD dispatch center to request police assistance, security escorts, and any other police service. The call boxes are on free-standing towers or mounted on light poles and are labeled 'Emergency.' See the locations of the emergency call boxes on this interactive map.
UH Bike Registration
Students, faculty and staff who have a bicycle on campus are required to register it. Registration takes only minutes to complete and is free. A registration sticker will be provided and should be placed on the bicycle. Log in to your myParking account through AccessUH to register.
Cougar Ride - After-Hours Shuttle
The Cougar Ride After-Hours Shuttle Service is a new program from Parking and Transportation Services that provides rides to and from all on-campus shuttle stops, as well as MD Anderson Library and Cougar Village/Moody Towers. The service is part of the multi-faceted approach of the Transportation & Security Work Group.
UH Police Help Only One Click Away
UHPD offers a variety of crime prevention programs to our community members: Personal Safety Awareness, Operation ID, Residential and Office Security, Sexual Assault Awareness, Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention, New Student and Employee Police Service Orientation, Community Dialogue Failure to Safeguard Program, Bike Registration, Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), Alcohol Awareness, Drug Awareness. Contact Sergeant Dina Padovan at 713.743.0596 or preventcrime@uh.edu.

Videos

Tips to Prevent Scooter Theft
The University of Houston Police Department shares tips to help prevent scooter thefts on campus. These include using a high-quality U-lock and registering your scooter and serial number through your MyParking account. Watch the video to learn more.
UH Hurricane Preparedness Training Video
The University of Houston Office of Emergency Management would like to make sure you're prepared for the next Hurricane Season with this brief training video.
UHPD Tips to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
Residents are urged to follow some prevention tips to help lessen chances of becoming the next in a long line of property crime victims. Check out the tips to prevent catalytic converter theft.
Active Shooter Training
The UHPD Crime Prevention Unit is available for presentations on Active Shooter situations and other topics. We conduct regular Civilian Response to Active Shooter (CRASE) training, and are available for training for campus groups upon request. You may contact UHPD Crime Prevention at 713.743.0596 or preventcrime@uh.edu.