By UW Police Chief Mike Samp
We at the UW Police Department remind all students, faculty and staff to monitor, lock and secure all personal items.
UWPD typically sees an increase in property theft during the end of the spring semester. Many of the reported thefts are crimes of opportunity, where the victims left their belongings unattended or unsecured. Bicycles, laptops, cell phones, IPods and other electronic devices, headphones and wallets are typically targeted. UWPD recommends the following steps to deter theft:
-- Lock and secure all residence hall rooms, apartments, vehicles, bicycles, offices, lockers, etc., when leaving those areas.
-- Do not leave items unattended, even when leaving the area for a short time.
-- Register all electronic devices with the manufacturer. This increases the chance of recovery of stolen items.
-- Report any and all thefts or suspicious behavior to UWPD immediately. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the suspect and missing items.
UWPD offers both traditional and confidential methods to report a crime. Reports can be made with UWPD in person or electronically via phone, text, or Internet. UWPD operates 24 hours a day, every day. Here is how you can reach us:
In person -- To speak to an officer in person, come to our department at the corner of 15th and Flint streets. If you come in after 5 p.m., please press the call button on the right as you walk in the door and a dispatcher will assist you.
By phone -- If it is an emergency, dial 911 from your campus phone. To speak to an officer for non-emergency issues, please call us at (307) 766-5179. A dispatcher will connect you with an officer or dispatch one to your location.
By text message -- The UWPD participates in a Text Tips Program called Tip411 using your mobile phone. To send an anonymous tip via text message to the UWPD, please text the keyword UWYO and your message to 847411 (Tips411).
Online -- You can report a crime anonymously online by using our Silent Witness feature from your Internet browser. You are not required to use your own email and there is no way to trace the message back to you.
UWPD wants to remind everyone that the biggest deterrent of crime is you. Secure your items and never hesitate to report a crime or suspicious behavior to us.
Thank you for your continued support to keep our campus safe.
