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Campus Safety

Welcome

Welcome to the University Of Washington Tacoma campus!

We have many outstanding resources for safety and security at the University of Washington Tacoma, and they will be most effective if everyone is well informed. As with any urban setting, the community surrounding the campus offers opportunities and challenges typical of all cities.

Maintaining safety on campus is everyone's business...

The Campus Safety and Security Office is located in the Dougan Building, Suite 180. We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year to provide a safe and secure educational environment for the UW Tacoma community.

Our Mission

The mission of the UW Tacoma Campus Safety and Security department is to assist the academic mission of UW Tacoma by ensuring the safety of students, faculty, staff and campus visitors while also encouraging individuals to be responsible for their own safety, as well as the safety and security of UW Tacoma property.

Our Values

  • Respect: We safeguard the dignity and rights of all individuals.
  • Trust: We maintain an environment of trust with each other and the people we serve.
  • Partnerships: We work with all segments of our community through effective communication and collaboration.
  • Professionalism: We strive to maintain the highest standards of conduct and training.
  • Accountability: We accept individual responsibility for our actions

Campus Safety News

SNAP --> GO --> KNOW!

UW Tacoma's Campus Safety and Security is taking advantage of new technology as a means of providing our UW Tacoma campus community with constantly improving service.

Now available around campus are QR codes that can be scanned with a smart phone QR reader app. This is a NEW wave in communication and marketing!

Using the QR reader app on a smart phone, when you scan the above QR code you will be directed to the UW Tacoma Campus Safety website where information is right at your finger tips!

QR codes are great because they save time when people need to access something quickly.... just SNAP --> GO --> KNOW!

 

May is BIKE SAFETY MONTH!  - PLAN AHEAD!  RIDE SAFE!  RIDE SMART!

Before You Ride checklist:

  • Helmet- fits securely and not cracked
  • Bicycle- is in good working condition-when in doubt have it checked out by a bike shop for a safety inspection
  • Safety Glasses- to protect your eyes while you ride during day and night
  • Wear cycling gloves-to protect your hands from the weather and in case you fall
  • Use Headlight and Taillight –to allow drivers and pedestrians to clearly identify you on the road
  • Use Reflectors-to allow drivers to see you better and make you more visible
  • Dress for the weather- to be prepared for sudden weather changes that could impact riding safety
  • Have a bottle of water and energy packed food to keep you going
  • Know the local laws and regulations for the jurisdiction where you plan on cycling
  • Use a Bike Lock- get a good quality u-lock to secure your bicycle
  • Parking your Bike –in well lit, visible area with a firmly secured bike rack
  • Plan Ahead! Ride Safe! Ride Smart!

If you have any questions about bike safety checklist contact UW Tacoma Campus Safety & Security Office at uwtsafe@uw.edu

Police Authority

The UW Tacoma's Campus Safety officers are not commissioned law enforcement of the state of Washington and as such have no arrest authority. Campus Safety officers are obligated as representatives of UW Tacoma to enforce university rules and regulations. Campus Safety and Security officers are permitted to detain individuals suspected of criminal activity and to request their name and destination. However, since the UW Tacoma campus security officers do not have arrest authority they work closely with the Tacoma Police Department, which responds when their presence is required and can determine if an arrest is to be made. Officers must be mindful of their safety while performing their duties. For this reason, and based on articulable suspicion of a potential threat, the law permits Campus Safety Officers to search a person who has been detained to ensure he or she does not possess a weapon.

Prompt Reporting

It is important to promptly report suspicious activity or incidents to Campus Safety and Security, even if you are not sure criminal activity has taken place.

Tacoma Police Department will quickly respond to violent crimes and other incidents beyond the capabilities of the Campus Safety staff. This kind of partnership is very common on college and university campuses across the nation. UW Tacoma enjoys a very quick response time from Tacoma police, and their officers spend a significant amount of time here getting to know our people and our campus.

Access to Campus

If you need to be in a campus building after regular working hours you should notify your unit supervisor as well as the Campus Safety officer on duty so they can consider your safety during their patrols. Several campus rooms are protected by intrusion alarms. Before entering such areas, Campus Safety and Security should be called.