Staying Safe and Aware at SDSU

A late-night on-demand ride program will be launched at San Diego State University next week, augmenting a variety of continuing resources to support safety for the campus community.

As SDSU begins its 2023-24 academic year, the University Police Department (UPD) remains committed to providing resources to support the safety, health and well-being of the campus community, including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors.

UPD operates 24 hours a day and seven days per week and offers several campus programs and resources.

“Safety education is critical to empowering our campus community,” said SDSU Police Chief Gregory Murphy. “While fostering a safe environment, we also strive to engage with our community, share in the safety education process, and empower community members so that they are informed and have all the tools in their toolbelt to respond to various situations on and off campus.”

Murphy added that students, faculty, and staff should anticipate the launch of several new safety programs within “SDSU Safe,” a free phone-based app to address and promote personal safety on- and off-campus.

• SDSU Safe Ride On Demand: Beginning August 28, SDSU students, faculty, and staff can use SDSU Safe to request an on-demand SDSU Safe Ride from a designated pick-up location to a pre-identified drop-off location. The service will be available from 10 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, excluding university holidays. The regular Safe Ride shuttle rotation will operate from 6-10 p.m. along a designated route. Additional information is on UPD's website.
• SDSU Work Safe: During the fall semester, an SDSU Work Safe feature will also be available through the SDSU Safe app. This feature, to be launched in a limited pilot mode later this fall, will promote the safety of individuals who may work alone during evenings or late nights on campus. UPD will announce additional information as the feature becomes more widely available.

In addition to new features within SDSU Safe, UPD also is working to implement a multi-tiered approach when receiving reports of behavioral health crises.

UPD's Social Work Unit, which includes a licensed clinical social worker and a postdoctoral clinician, works closely with UPD officers and SDSU Counseling & Psychological Services to help facilitate appropriate psychiatric responses and provide immediate interventions and resources to university community members.

UPD also is partnering with San Diego County behavioral health officials to integrate programs offering added mental health resources for campus community members.

“For several years, the department has explored partnerships and piloted behavioral health models to meet our community's needs,” Murphy said. “As we move into a new phase of our approach, we look forward to working collaboratively with our diverse community to improve engagement.”

As the department continues to roll out new initiatives, Murphy encourages campus community members to remain attentive to the following safety information:

Reporting Tools & Emergency Communication:

• During emergencies, dial 9-1-1 or use any emergency blue light phone located throughout campus. If you are unable to call, text to 9-1-1 is available in San Diego and Imperial counties.
• During non-emergencies and while on campus, call 619-594-1991 and select 1 to speak with a UPD police dispatcher.
• Download and use the SDSU Safe app (Apple and Android), which provides information about university support resources, university shuttles and more.
• Report a tip or concerning behavior through your mobile device via SDSU Safe. Please note that tip-reporting features should only be used during non-urgent situations.
• Update your contact information to ensure timely notice in the event of a campus alert. Instructions are available online, at urgent.sdsu.edu.

Safety Training & Education:

• Members of the SDSU community can sign up for a personal safety and awareness workshop. This comprehensive workshop includes the basics of hands-on self-defense training to reduce risk. For more information, email [email protected].
• UPD has an active shooter safety initiative that includes a university-specific video, in-person training sessions and online resources.
• UPD offers Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments to identify ways to mitigate risk and deter crime. After assessing a campus facility or office space, the Community Resource Officer (CRO) will provide safety recommendations that may pertain to access control, lighting, landscape design, office space layout and barriers.
• Students may also request a safety-related, personalized training of their choice by emailing [email protected].