Extra Security on Campus and an Earlier Start for Safe Rides Going Off Campus

News
Safe Rides van
Safe Rides from campus into the city are now available from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week. (Anjie Cook/UC Davis)

Updated 7 p.m. May 1: Police Lt. Doug Voska said extra security is being provided on campus tonight by personnel from Sacramento-based Members in Black Private Security, whose regular, black uniforms include “MIB” lettering on front and back, and who will be wearing high-visibility vests and carrying flashlights. The campus calls in MIB often for various events, including athletics. Starting this quarter, MIB personnel have been on crossing guard duty along Hutchison Drive between the Silo and the bus terminal across the street, to help provide safe passage for the high volume of pedestrians, bicyclists and buses, especially during passing periods between classes.

NEWS CONFERENCE

Chancellor Gary S. May, Police Chief Joe Farrow and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Pablo Reguerín gave updates on campus safety at a news conference today (May 2).


The campus Police Department has added personnel and vans to maximize Safe Ride and escort availability this week, and also moved up by two hours the start time for rides from campus to off-campus locations in the city of Davis.

Rides from campus into the city will now be available from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week, starting tonight (May 1).

Other Safe Ride services are unchanged: transportation from one campus location to another starts at 5 p.m. and VIP wheelchair transportation is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Police Department has pulled in Aggie Hosts and Community Safety and Protective Service specialists to bolster Safe Ride and escort services, according to Capt. Mark Brunet. “We will work diligently to provide rides for any who make the request, but as demand increases so will wait times,” he said.

For Safe Rides: Call 530-754-COPS (2677) or use the TransLoc App (you can download it for free). Police recommend using the app and have posted instructions on how to use it.

Unitrans buses begin their last runs anywhere from 8:10 to 10:35 p.m. Monday through Thursday (and does not have night service on Fridays, except during finals week), and due to a lingering shortage of drivers, is unable to extend those hours. However, Yolobus provides late-night options on Route 42A/B, departing the Memorial Union Terminal at the following times weekdays:

The Police Department moved up the start time for off-campus service in the wake of a pair of fatal stabbings in city parks over the last week.

Campus police are working with the city of Davis Police Department to provide all available resources to assist in the search for the suspect or suspects, and to provide extra patrols in the city and on campus. Anyone with information about these attacks is asked to share it with police:

  • Davis Police Department — 530-747-5400 or email, or crime tip line, 530-747-5460, where you can remain anonymous
  • UC Davis Police Department — 530-754-COPS (2677)

Be vigilant

In separate email messages Sunday, Chancellor Gary S. May and Vice Chancellor Pablo Reguerín of Student Affairs shared safety tips provided by the Police Department, and we are publishing them again here, starting with Safe Rides:

  • Use UC Davis Police Safe Rides by calling 530-754-COPS (2677) or using the TransLoc App.
  • Try not to travel alone.
  • Always try to vary your routes to and from work or school.
  • Be aware of location and situation that will make you vulnerable to crime, especially in darkness. Indeed, these two crimes occurred in darkness in parks.
  • Avoid people and situations that make you nervous — Trust Your Instincts!
  • Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
  • Walk confidently and at a steady pace, making eye contact with people when walking.
  • If you ever feel you or others are in danger, call 911.

Also take note of the campus's network of 21 “blue light” emergency call boxes throughout the campus, including the Arboretum.

Other resources

WARNME AND AGGIE ALERT

UC Davis is keeping the campus community abreast of the current safety situation via Aggie Alert and WarnMe messages, which go automatically to staff, faculty and student @ucdavis.edu email addresses, and to smartphones and other devices belonging to the same people, provided they insert their numbers into the system.

People without @ucdavis.edu email accounts are welcome to opt in to receive these messages via text. To sign up for Davis campus WarnMe and Aggie Alert messages, text “UCDAlerts” to 888777. Additional information about this service is available online.

Primary Category

Secondary Categories

Dateline Student Life

Tags