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Safety Tips and Resources

On a day-to-day basis, situations may occur that affect the safety of individuals or groups at Miami. While not reaching the level of emergency, they merit immediate attention. Miami offers many resources to support safety on campus. The Miami University Police Department is a full-service police agency. In addition to the police headquarters located on Oxford-Trenton Rd., four substations on the Oxford campus (Armstrong Student Center, Farmer School of Business, King Library, and Yager Stadium) allow campus police to be more accessible and available to meet and interact with students.

Request for a Police Presentation

Safety Tips

  • Don’t leave personal belongings unattended while outdoors
  • Lock bicycle when not in use
  • Walk, ride, or jog with a companion
  • Lock all doors and windows, never prop a door or window open
  • Report all suspicious activity to Police
  • Promptly report sexual violence
  • Pay attention to your surroundings
  • Stay on well-lit and well-traveled paths
  • Report any emergency or crime on campus/off campus, call 911
  • Lock your car and room/house
  • Dress in layers, wear proper footwear
  • Plan ahead, give yourself sufficient time, and plan your route
  • Stay informed of the weather forecast
  • Walk and drive with caution

AED

Information and Locations

Miami University Police Department is responsible for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program on the Oxford Campus. AED units are located in various buildings on campus and within each emergency police vehicle.

For more details, view the AED Location Map.

Miami University's AED program consists of the Cardiac Science Powerheart® AED defibrillator. It offers a patented Rescue Ready® technology to self-test all main components every day. The automated external defibrillators (AEDs) feature RescueCoach™ voice prompts and includes an industry-leading 7-year warranty.

Campus Lighting and Emergency Phone Towers

Miami University Police Department recognizes that campus lighting and the placement of emergency phone towers are an important safety feature on a college campus. Campus sidewalks, parking areas and roadways all have lighting installed. The University Police urge people to walk in lighted areas during hours of darkness.

There are emergency phone towers installed at various locations throughout the campus. These emergency phone towers serve as a means to contact the University Police in an emergency, or to request an escort for personal safety. Emergency phone towers call 9-1-1 and connect you to the University Police dispatcher when the button is pressed; officers respond to each emergency phone tower activation. In addition to enabling a person to instantly talk with Miami police, the towers have speakers that broadcast vocal alerts to about 500 feet distance as part of the university’s emergency notification system. View the emergency phone tower map to see locations across campus.

Many people on campus carry cell phones, and they are the most readily available way to contact the University Police. To contact the Miami University Police from your cell phone, you must dial our phone number: 513-529-2222. Calling 9-1-1 from a cell phone will connect you with the closest available Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The University Police recommends programming our telephone number (513-529-2222) as one of your cell phone's speed dials in the event you need emergency assistance while you are on campus. Be prepared to give the dispatcher your location on campus so that emergency assistance can be sent quickly.

University police officers report deficiencies in campus lighting (burned out or inoperative lights) to the Physical Facilities Service Desk for repair when they are observed. University police officers also check the function of each of the emergency phone towers on a monthly basis and request repairs when necessary. You can report problems with campus lighting or emergency phone towers by calling:

  • Campus lighting: Physical Facilities Operations Center, 513-529-6111
  • Emergency Phone Towers: Office of Telecommunications, 513-529-3511

    Bike Safety

    Navigating the streets on a bicycle requires a combination of awareness and adherence to traffic laws. Understanding essential bike safety tips and laws promotes a secure cycling experience and contributes to safe road-sharing among cyclists and other vehicles.

    Learn More

Break Safety Tips for Students Temporarily Leaving Oxford

Oxford Police and Miami University Police offer some tips below to keep your residence and vehicle safe while you are away from Oxford:

All Students

  • Do not leave your car parked on a city street during breaks, as Oxford has a 72-hour parking limit.
  • You may purchase a temporary parking pass to leave your car on campus.
  • Make sure you have all the needed travel documents with you before you leave campus.
  • If you are driving, have your vehicle’s fluids and tires inspected before you leave.
  • Make sure a friend or family member has your travel itinerary before you leave.
  • Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.

Off-Campus Students

  • Request a vacant house check and police officers will monitor your windows and doors while you are away.
  • Lock all windows and doors and use light timers that can be picked up at either Student Life (110 Warfield Hall) or Armstrong 2012 (ASG Office).
  • Take all valuables with you or lock them in a secure location.
  • Take photos of the valuables you do leave behind and then snap a photo of the product serial number!
  • Do not turn off your heat. Check with your landlord for instructions to prevent pipes from freezing.

Crime Prevention

In addition to the information provided, a thirty minute video, Safe and Sound, is also available to faculty, staff, and students. The video presents much of the same information as the pamphlets and is especially geared toward incoming students. To borrow a copy, stop by the Miami University Police station or the Oxford Police station (uptown). Copies of the video can also be borrowed (at no cost) from Lane Public Library, King Library, all campus residence halls, and most local video rental establishments.

Assault
Parking Lot Safety
Preventing Theft
Rohypnol
Safety at Work
Suspicious People
Traveling Abroad
Traveling Alone
Workplace Violence

Miami University Police Department

Dial 9-1-1 if you have an emergency. If you require immediate police assistance or wish to report a criminal offense, call the police dispatcher at 513-529-2222.

Contact Information

Police Services Center
4945 Oxford-Trenton Road
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-2222 | 24 hours | Non-Emergency
police@MiamiOH.edu

Substation Locations

Armstrong Student Center - 1055

Farmer School of Business - 1001

King Library - 31

Yager Stadium - 180