Rachel Evans
The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, D.C., just three miles from the Capitol. While the campus itself is generally considered safe, some surrounding neighbourhoods may have higher crime rates. The university has implemented numerous security measures and protocols to protect its community, including the Department of Public Safety (DPS), which has a staff of trained professionals, including commissioned special police officers. In 2019, there were 14 incidents related to crime and safety involving students on public property in the surrounding Washington neighbourhood, amounting to 2.43 incidents per 1,000 students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Campus safety | Campus Safety Alerts, Rave Guardian app, shuttle bus services, safety escorts, Department of Public Safety (DPS), Public Safety Assistants (PSA), Campus Police |
| Crime statistics | 286 incidents related to crime and safety involving students on campus in 2019 (49.56 incidents per 1000 students), 259 of which took place in residence halls (44.88 incidents per 1000 students), 14 incidents on public property in the surrounding Washington neighborhood (2.43 incidents per 1000 students) |
| Safety tips | Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, walk with a companion, stick to well-lit busy streets, avoid displaying large amounts of cash, use ATMs during daylight hours only, don't prop open exterior doors, lock your door, secure your valuables, don't admit strangers into your room |
| Safety resources | Office of the Dean of Students, Equal Opportunity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Student Health Services, Counseling Center |
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What You'll Learn
Crime statistics for the area
It is important to note that these statistics may not be directly comparable to other institutions due to variations in school size. Larger schools, for instance, are likely to have higher incident rates. Additionally, the types of crimes can be categorized into arrests for major crimes, arrests for possession, violence against women, and disciplinary actions. Major crimes include murder, robbery, rape, aggravated assault, and arson. Violence against women encompasses domestic violence, date rape, and stalking. Arrests for possession involve weapons possession, alcohol violations, and drug violations. Disciplinary actions are relevant when there is no arrest but involve weapons, alcohol, or drug violations.
While the campus itself is generally considered safe, some surrounding neighborhoods may have higher crime rates. Students and visitors are advised to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially when off-campus or during late hours. Basic safety precautions, such as using ATMs during daylight hours, avoiding displaying cash, and sticking to well-lit and busy streets, are recommended. The university also offers safety escorts and shuttle bus services for students, faculty, and staff who have concerns about their personal safety.
The Catholic University of America has implemented several security measures and protocols to protect its community. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for crime prevention, investigation, safety education, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Additionally, Public Safety Assistants (PSAs) are stationed at designated areas on campus to offer a sense of safety and act as additional eyes and ears for the DPS. The university also provides resources such as the Office of the Dean of Students, Equal Opportunity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Student Health Services, and Counseling Center for students seeking help or support.
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Safety precautions to take
While the Catholic University campus is generally considered safe, it's important to take precautions to ensure your safety, especially when venturing off-campus. Here are some safety precautions to consider:
Stay Alert and Aware of Your Surroundings
Keep your head up and avoid walking around looking at your phone. Be mindful of your surroundings, including the people and the environment around you. Walk with confidence and purpose, making eye contact with others. Trust your instincts—if a situation doesn't feel right, avoid it.
Avoid Risky Areas and Times
Try to stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially after dark. Avoid alleys, shortcuts, and vacant lots. It's best to walk with a companion whenever possible, and avoid walking alone late at night.
Protect Your Valuables
Don't flash large amounts of cash, and avoid displaying valuables such as jewellery or expensive gadgets. Use ATMs during daylight hours, preferably those inside buildings accessed by your card. Keep your money, wallet, and other valuables secured and out of sight.
Keep Your Space Secure
Always lock your door, even if you're just stepping out for a minute. Don't admit strangers into your room or hall, and never prop open exterior doors. Keep your keys and ID cards secure, and report any lost or stolen items immediately to the Housing Services and Campus Police.
Utilise Campus Resources
Take advantage of the safety resources provided by the university. This includes services like the shuttle bus and safety escorts, as well as the Campus Police, who can be reached at any time if you feel unsafe. Additionally, the university's Department of Public Safety (DPS) has trained professionals, including special police officers, who focus on crime prevention, safety education, and emergency response.
Be Cautious Online
Be mindful of what you post on the internet, as you never know who might be accessing your information. Additionally, consider taking a course like CSC/EE 569: Computer Security and Privacy to learn more about data security and privacy.
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On-campus safety measures
The Catholic University of America has implemented numerous security measures and protocols to protect its campus community. The campus is protected by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), which includes commissioned special police officers, Public Safety Assistants (PSAs), and other trained professionals. The DPS focuses on crime prevention and investigation, safety education, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Rave Guardian app, used on campus, features an emergency GPS locator, a safety timer, and communication options for help if you are in trouble. Campus Safety Alerts update the campus community in real time regarding possible safety threats on or around campus.
There are also basic safety tips that students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to follow. These include staying alert and aware of your surroundings, walking with a companion whenever possible, avoiding displaying large amounts of cash, and using ATMs during daylight hours only. Students are also encouraged to trust their instincts, lock their doors, keep their valuables secured, and report any suspicious persons or activity to the Campus Police.
In addition to the DPS, students can seek help from various offices, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Equal Opportunity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Student Health Services, and Counseling Center. These offices provide support and assistance in areas such as academic and personal issues, compliance with equal opportunity laws, and resources for students who have experienced sexual harassment or assault.
The university also offers a course called CSC/EE 569: Computer Security and Privacy, which covers topics such as data banks, physical security, administrative security, and computer systems and network security.
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Safety in residence halls
The Catholic University of America has implemented several security measures and protocols to ensure the safety of its campus community. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for crime prevention, investigation, safety education, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. DPS staff includes trained professionals and commissioned special police officers.
Public Safety Assistants (PSAs) are also placed at designated areas throughout the campus to offer a sense of safety and act as additional eyes and ears for the DPS. In addition, the university has an Emergency Preparedness, Reporting, Response, and Recovery Policy that requires all community members to report emergencies on campus immediately to the DPS.
- Always lock your door, even if you are only leaving for a minute or are sleeping/napping.
- Keep your Cardinal Card and room keys secured and immediately report them as stolen or missing.
- Do not admit strangers into your room or hall. When in doubt, ask for a Catholic University ID.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Report any strangers loitering in or around the residence halls.
- Never remain alone in isolated or unoccupied areas, including residence halls, classrooms, and libraries.
- Be aware of your surroundings, stay alert, and walk with a companion whenever possible.
- Avoid displaying large amounts of cash and only use ATMs during daylight hours.
- If you feel unsafe, seek safety in a public building or call Campus Police for an escort.
- Download the Rave Guardian app, which features an emergency GPS locator, a safety timer, and communication options for help.
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Safety resources and support
While the campus of Catholic University is generally considered to be safe, some of the surrounding neighbourhoods might have higher crime rates. It is always important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, especially when off-campus and during late hours.
Catholic University offers a range of safety resources and support services to ensure the well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. Here are some key safety resources and support systems in place:
Campus Safety Alerts provide real-time updates on possible safety threats on or around campus, keeping the community informed and vigilant.
The Rave Guardian App is a valuable tool for personal safety. It features an emergency GPS locator, a safety timer, and easy communication options to seek help in case of trouble.
The Shuttle Bus Service offers on-demand transportation for all community members. It ensures safe travel, especially during non-bus service hours and late or unusual hours.
Safety Escorts are available on campus for students, faculty, and staff. They can be requested when there are concerns for personal safety, providing a sense of security during late-night travels.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) protects the campus and includes trained professionals, such as commissioned special police officers. They focus on crime prevention, investigation, safety education, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Public Safety Assistants (PSAs) are placed at designated areas throughout the campus. While they are not law enforcement officers, they provide a visible presence, offering a sense of safety and acting as additional eyes and ears for the DPS.
The university also encourages the development of a Personal Emergency Plan (PEP), empowering individuals to prepare for potential emergencies.
Various offices provide support and assistance with different issues. These include the Office of the Dean of Students, Equal Opportunity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Student Health Services, and the Counselling Centre.
Additionally, Catholic University emphasises basic safety practices, such as staying alert, being aware of one's surroundings, trusting one's instincts, securing valuables, and reporting suspicious activity to Campus Police.
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Frequently asked questions
While the campus itself is generally considered to be safe, some surrounding neighbourhoods might have higher crime rates. It is advised to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, especially when venturing off-campus during late hours. The university has a Department of Public Safety (DPS) with trained professionals, including special police officers, that focuses on crime prevention, investigation, safety education, emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The university has Campus Safety Alerts that update the campus community in real-time regarding possible safety threats. The Rave Guardian app features an emergency GPS locator, a safety timer, and communication options for help. Shuttle bus services and safety escorts are also available for students, faculty, and staff.
Here are some safety tips provided by the university:
- Stay alert, confident, and aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid alleys, shortcuts, and vacant lots.
- Stick to well-lit, busy streets.
- Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
- Use ATMs during daylight hours only.
- If you are being followed, abruptly change directions and seek safety in a public building.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Never admit strangers into your room.
