UC Davis safety tips and safety resources

Students and employees on the Davis and Sacramento campuses are important partners in making our community safer. These tips can help increase your awareness to protect yourself and your belongings.

Your safety and personal property

• Always be alert to your surroundings. Be aware of your location and situations that could make you vulnerable.
• Avoid people and situations that make you nervous. Trust your instincts!
• Never leave valuable items unattended, even for a short time.
• If leaving bags or valuables in a car, try to put them out of sight.
• If you are carrying a backpack or bag, carry it securely against you.
• If a thief tries to take an item from you, give it up rather than risk injury.

Safety after dark

• Don’t let yourself be distracted by devices while walking.
• Avoid wearing headphones while walking. If possible, remove one so you can hear what is going on around you.
• Walk with friends or colleagues when possible. Avoid areas or situations that make you uncomfortable.
• Park in well-lit and regularly travelled areas. Avoid remote or isolated areas when possible.

Campus housing and buildings

• Don’t let someone you don’t know “tailgate” or follow you through locked doors into campus buildings or residence halls.
• Always lock your doors and windows when you go out or before going to sleep. Burglars often enter through doors or windows that are left open or unlocked.
• Place valuable items, such as laptops, out of sight and away from windows when possible.
• Make an effort to get to know your neighbors, as they can be a resource for reporting suspicious activity.

Bicycle security

• Bicycling under the influence is illegal and unsafe.
• Get a good quality U-lock, and use it to keep your bike secure.
• Always lock your bicycle to an installed bike rack or pod in a visible, well-lit area.
• Use a chain or cable to secure quick-release wheels and seats.
• Consider a lower-value bicycle for daily use.
• Having a California Bicycle License makes it easier for authorities to return a stolen bike to its owner.

Scams and frauds

• A request for money or gift cards from someone you do not know by phone, email, text or other messaging is very likely a fraud. Legitimate entities are not likely to contact you for payment via the phone.
• Do not send money or gift cards in response to these calls or messages.
• If you think you have been/are a victim of fraud, contact the police.

Safety resources for Davis and Sacramento campuses

• Call 911 to report emergencies or suspicious activities
• If you see something, say something. More information on how to report a crime or submit a crime tip.
• Get a safety escort or safe ride on the Davis campus
• UC Davis Police Safe Rides is a free service that provides transportation after-hours on and off campus. Call 530-752-2677 or use our free smart phone application (Transloc) to request a ride.
• Get a safety escort on the Sacramento campus
• Use the safety escort ride program when the UC Davis Health shuttle is not running. The escort service can be reached through UC Davis police dispatch at 916-734-2555.
• Make sure you get emergency alerts via WarnMe

• Be aware of critical situations and information on or near campus by registering for WarnMe alerts. More information on the program can be found at the UC Davis WarnMe website.

• Request a customized safety training

• The UC Davis Police Department offers training in situational awareness, general self defense, and active shooter incident survival. The training sessions can be tailored to meet the needs or time constraints of the requesting group both on the Davis and Sacramento campuses. See our Education and Training webpage for more options and details.

• If you have been the victim of a crime
• Know that you are not alone, and we have many programs that can offer assistance to victims of crime. The UC Davis Center for Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) provides victim assistance and is a confidential resource, which can be reached by calling (530) 752-3299. More information can be found on our victim assistance webpage.