Crime Prevention

The Department of Police and Public Safety maintains an active, viable and comprehensive Crime Prevention program which is comprised of sworn and certified police officers. Crime prevention officers are successful attendees of a variety of national and local crime prevention programs and activities.

The department publishes news bulletin articles and newsletters, and provides oral presentations to the campus community on a frequent basis to educate community members on police policies and procedures an public safety issues. Students and employees are alerted to recurring or significant crime problems being experienced on the campus, and are provided with useful information that may reduce their vulnerability to criminal acts.

The department publishes pamphlets on various topics of Crime Prevention which are available to all students, faculty, and staff members. Topics include: Police Protection and Security Services, General Crime Prevention Techniques, Campus Watch, Operation I.D., Rape and Sexual Assault, Date Rape, and Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The department conducts sessions each semester on the above topics. Information on safety and security is provided to students, faculty, and staff members regularly through seminars, films, bulletins, crime alerts, posters, brochures, and University staff and students newspapers.

The Physical Plant Department maintains the University buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. It inspects campus facilities regularly, promptly makes repairs affecting safety and security, and responds to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken windows and locks. The Department of Police and Public Safety assists Physical Plant personnel by reporting potential safety and security hazards. Students as well as faculty and staff may also call Physical Plant (x3320) to report any safety or security hazard.

Except for residence halls, most University facilities are open to the public during the day and evening hours when classes are in session. During the times that the University is officially closed, University buildings are generally locked and only faculty, staff, and some students with proper ID are admitted.

Crime Prevention is the proactive component of this department because it educates the campus community in crime prevention techniques and allows more personal contact between the police officers and the community.

Crime Prevention Objectives At Morgan State University

Heightens crime and drug abuse prevention awareness
Generate support and participation in campus anti-crime efforts
Strengthen campus spirit and police/ community relations
Send a message to criminals that our campus community is organized to fight back

Foot Patrol

Morgan State University Police and Public Safety has two foot patrol assignments. The purpose of the foot patrol is to provide visible police presence the areas on the campus where it is essential to deter criminal activity and have campus community feel safe knowing that they are under a watchful eye.

Bicycle Patrol Unit

The Bicycle Patrol is the newest proactive crime prevention patrol program that has been implemented in this department since November 1999. It was established as part of the department's commitment to community based policing. The Bicycle Patrol Unit provides a visible public safety presence to Morgan State University. It is becoming a valuable tool in patrolling the center campus and university housing because of its swift response to incidents and its ability to deter crime. As a result of the implementation of this unit, there has become more personal contact between the public safety officers and the community.

Community Oriented Policing

Morgan State University Police and Public Safety Department defines Community Oriented Policing as the police and law abiding citizens working together to:

Prevent crime and eliminate crime conducive conditions
Solve ongoing problems, concerns and conditions
Identify suspects and arrest offenders
improve the quality of life in our campus community.

Presently the department is adopting the Community Oriented Policing philosophy which is building a collaboration between the police and community that identifies and solves community problems and becoming active allies in the effort to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods and campus communities such as Morgan State University.

In the transitional phase, the department has designed Officer Kevin Bacon as the COP's Officer; Officer Bacon has a satellite police service in Blount Towers, 1st floor. His primary focus is on assisting the campus community in identifying and solving community based problems.

Criminal Investigation Division

Criminal and Internal investigations are the responsibility of the Investigation Unit. The unit conducts follow-ups investigations of cases initiated by POD personnel, major criminal cases and those assigned by Chief of Police. In addition, this element is responsible for protecting visiting dignitaries, controlling evidence and conducting internal investigations of departmental personnel.