March 26, 2026
Dear Members of the University Community,
With the Spring Quarter underway, I want to share some important tips and resources to help keep you and the rest of our community safe.
- Crime Prevention Resources: Last year, we saw a 40 percent year-over-year reduction in robberies in the University of Chicago Police Department’s patrol area, with some areas reaching the lowest levels recorded in more than 50 years. These numbers are encouraging, but it is important to remember that crime occurs in every major city and taking steps to stay safe is essential. While crime in our area fell across most categories in 2025, theft, particularly retail theft, continued to be a concern, with incidents increasing by 16 percent in the Hyde Park–South Kenwood area. The following resources are available to help support your safety:
- The University’s safety resources webpage offers valuable tips for staying safe in the city, around campus, at home, and while using transportation.
- UCPD offers free residential safety assessments to anyone who lives within the patrol area.
- Other safety resources, such as tips for protecting your bike and laptop, are available on our website.
- Fraud Prevention: UCPD has received reports of pedestrians near campus being asked by people they do not know to tap their phones to make a donation to a purported charitable cause, only to have hundreds or even thousands of dollars withdrawn from their accounts. UCPD has made some arrests in these cases, but the scam appears to be part of a growing pattern in the city of Chicago and across the U.S. The International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators has put together a guide to help you avoid falling victim to fraud and scams.
- Emergency Preparedness: We are continuously working to strengthen our campus emergency preparedness. Because emergencies can happen quickly, taking swift and decisive action is critical. Here are some key actions you can take now to help you be prepared:
- Review these common cAlert instructions. In the event of a confirmed emergency on campus, cAlerts are sent to your preferred devices and provide safety guidance or instructions.
- Visit the cAlert website to make sure your contact information and preferred devices are up to date.
- Watch this 7-minute video to learn how to respond effectively in an emergency.
- Citymapper: Citymapper is an app that helps members of the UChicago community find the fastest and easiest ways to get around campus and the city of Chicago. It overlays University transit options, such as UGo Shuttles, with public transportation options from the CTA and Metra to show routes that work best for your trip. This app provides an expanded option for accessing real-time transportation information along with the PassioGo app. Download the Citymapper app to explore its features.
- Metra Day Pass 5 Pack: Metra will discontinue its Metra pass program for UChicago students on May 31. Students have until May 31, 2026, to claim a free Day Pass 5 Pack if they have not already done so this academic year. All enrolled students are eligible to receive one free Day Pass 5 Pack by signing up on myuchicago.edu. Passes expire 90 days after issue.
Many additional safety resources are available at the University of Chicago, including:
- Safety Escort Program: Members of the University community who are concerned about their safety for any reason as they walk within UCPD’s patrol area can call 773.702.8181 to request a safety escort.
- UGo Shuttles: UGo is the University’s free shuttle service available to all members of the University community. Shuttles run day and night on campus, around Hyde Park, and to/from downtown Chicago. For more information about routes and timing, please visit the shuttle service webpage.
- Communication Resources: DSS provides multiple ways to stay informed about crimes that happen on and off campus. This map provides information about the boundaries for the alerts and notifications that the University sends.
A comprehensive list of our recent safety initiatives can be found on the Department of Safety and Security’s website. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to download the UChicago Safe mobile app and also follow UChicago Safe on Instagram, Facebook, and X for helpful and timely safety-related information.
If you have any questions about campus safety, please contact our team. I wish you a safe and productive quarter.
Sincerely,
Eric
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Eric M. Heath
Senior Associate Vice President for Operations