SMU Campus Security Update

During the last week, two robberies and an attempted robbery on the main SMU campus have been reported to police. We would like to update you on the status of the cases and remind you of security measures and resources on campus.

In the first case, which occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on April 17 on SMU Boulevard, a suspect was arrested April 22 in East Dallas by Dallas Police and was booked into the University Park jail, with more arrest warrants pending. Detectives from Dallas, SMU Police and the Richardson Police Department assisted in the University Park Police investigation. We thank our neighboring police departments for their work on this investigation.

The attempted robbery of a student at 3 a.m. April 21 near Hillcrest Avenue on the west edge of campus remains under investigation by SMU Police.

In regard to the crime alert that was sent to the campus community Saturday, University Park Police are investigating a 2 a.m. April 23 robbery at a CVS Pharmacy on the east edge of campus near Mockingbird Lane and Central Expressway. No students were involved in this case.

The safety of the SMU community always is the University’s first concern. These cases are unusual for our community, with three robberies previously reported on campus in the last six years. Earlier this week SMU Police, who patrol campus 24/7, added extra car and bike patrols at night throughout the campus to provide additional security for the University community in the wake of these incidents.

Campus community members are urged to be aware of their surroundings and call police immediately if they see or hear anything suspicious. Because the SMU campus sits at the intersection of several police jurisdictions, 911 calls made from a cell phone can reach any one of them, depending on the caller’s location. For this reason, we ask all campus community members to program the SMU Police Department’s direct line, 214-768-3333, into their cell phones.

Blue-light emergency phones that connect directly to SMU Police are located throughout campus, including in parking garages and parking lots. Security cameras are located across campus and in buildings, and are equipped to digitally record activity.

Campus community members are urged to call for a security escort at night:

• Giddy-Up, 214-768-1111, offers free rides on campus from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• SMU Police, 214-768-3333, can provide campus rides when Giddy-Up is not available.
• SMU Rides, 214-768-7433, provides service 24 hours a day with an SMU ID; the full cost of the ride is charged to the rider’s SMU account.

SMU Police provide crime prevention education and self-defense training to student groups, and are available upon request. Call 214-768-3333.

In addition to SMU Police, resources available to support students who may have concerns or questions include:

• SMU Counseling Services for confidential counseling, 214-768-2277 (an emergency contact is available 24/7)
• SMU Chaplain’s Office for confidential counseling, 214-768-4502
• Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564
• Residence Life and Student Housing, 214-768-2407

Students, faculty and staff may submit confidential concerns about any student’s well-being to the Caring Community Connections program, through which students will be connected with campus resources. Information about that program is posted here: http://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/StudentLife/CCC

We ask that SMU students remember that information may be reported anonymously through the SMU Police Department’s Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP or online at www.smu.edu/2tip.