By: Taylor Sheffield
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The University of Arkansas strives to provide a safe environment on campus. There are many services designed on campus that allow students access to resources on safe rides home, escorts, and training courses that prevent situations from happening.
The University of Arkansas Police Department strongly encourages you to use these campus resources in the event that you feel unsafe, or want to be escorted to a designated location because it is dark.
Public Information Officer, Capt. of Support Service at UAPD, Gary Crain, said that “Safety is important for everyone to think about so you don’t hang out or be in the company of people that are criminals or engaging in criminal activity.”
UAPD also provides training courses in:
- General Campus Safety
- General Self Defense
- Women’s Self Defense
- Razorback Patrol
- Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
- Rape Aggression Defense Course
- Alcohol Education-for students
- Drug Education
You can make a request for any of these courses by visiting this website:
Crain said students walking on campus at night should go to well-lit areas and surround themselves with other people. Crain said, “Safety and security of the campus community is our top priority.” UAPD is responsible for checking campus lighting twice a year, and the Facilities Management is notified immediately when lights have gone out and respond quickly to replace them.
The UAPD operates 24 hours a day and advises everyone to stay alert to their surroundings. Contact UAPD, at any time at (479) 575-2222 if you feel you are in danger or just want to be escorted for extra precautions.
Students can also send anonymous messages to UAPD by using the SafeZone app. The SafeZone app is available to all students and faculty here at the university and encouraged by the UAPD for everyone to have.
The SafeZone app allows you to share your location with a UAPD officer using a check-in check-out timer method, for your personal safety, if you are walking on campus late. This app connects you directly to the UAPD when there is an emergency. SafeZone allows you to turn on your location, so officers can get to the precise area you are at.
How it works:
After pressing any of the three alert buttons; First-Aid (medical assistance), Help (non-emergency), or Emergency (If you feel threatened or need immediate assistance) three icons will display:
- Obtaining location (checked when successful)
- Sending your request (checked when successful)
- Awaiting Acknowledgement from UAPD
UAPD works hard to make students feel safe on campus every day, and this app is a fast and efficient way to request help.
Download the Safezone App today:
- Apple devices: itunes.apple.com/au/app/safezone
- Android devices: play.google.com/store/apps
Safe Ride is also a great form of transportation here on campus. Safe Ride can be used when:
- Uncomfortable situation
- Car trouble
- Need a sober ride home
- Need a ride to a long distant parking garage
- Left from your ride home
- Do not want to walk alone in the dark
Safe Ride offers two different services, depending on the day. Mondays and Tuesdays, from 10:30 pm-1:00 am, operating for free rides back to your house. Wednesday-Saturdays, Safe Ride is available for any needs at a late night service from 10:30 pm-3:00 am. Safe Ride should not be used as a primary form of transportation, but rather just a last resort if plans fall through.
A senior here at the University, Emily King, said she’s used Safe Ride since her freshman year and feels like it’s safer than any other transportation service, like Uber or Lyft.
“It is a wonderful aspect of the university, and they are able to track you on where you’re at. The university is able to track where you are at, and they know who is driving you and everything about the ride.”
King said that “It’s a very simple process, all you do is call the Safe Ride number on the back of your student ID.”
If you need a ride, simply call 479-575-SAFE(7233). A dispatcher will ask for your name, student ID, location, and destination prior to pick-up. Each person is allowed to have three guests on the ride.
There are 125 ‘blue light’ emergency phones located across campus, and UAPD strongly encourages students to use these if they feel they are in danger. The button can be pushed for immediate access to a UAPD officer.
All of this information can be found on the back of your student ID and is readily available online as well.
Over 75 percent of crime committed at the University of Arkansas, is disciplinary actions, while 16.9 percent of arrests are from possessions, 6.4 percent were from violent crimes, and 2 percent was violence towards women.
The University reported over 90 percent of crimes occurred on campus, 4.5 percent in the Fayetteville campus neighborhood, and 4 percent off campus.
A daily crime log is available to everyone by visiting: