SUBJECT:  COMMUNITY SAFETY ALERT (General Safety Reminder)

The UCSD Police Department would like to extend a warm welcome to all students, faculty and staff as we embark upon the beginning of a new Academic Year. While the UCSD campus is relatively safe, the campus is not immune to the criminal elements that prey upon our campus. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to protect their personal property, remember to close and lock your vehicle doors, and not leave personal property in plain sight. It is always wise and prudent to close and lock your office doors, even if you plan to leave for a short amount of time. Most important, do not leave wallets and or purses in an unattended area.

In our effort to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for students, staff and visitors, the UCSD Police Department provides a wide range of services: Patrol Division, Crime Prevention, Detective's Bureau, Residential Security Officers, Community Service Officers, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

A brief description of these services are listed below:

* PATROL DIVISION - Patrol is the largest division in the police department. The duties include protecting life and property, investigating traffic collisions, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, and providing other safety services as needed. The "Patrol Division" has three sergeants, four corporals and ten officers assigned to three squads that work around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

* CRIME PREVENTION - The Crime Prevention Unit gives presentations on topics such as personal safety, vehicle and residential security, office and equipment security. Brochures and literature on crime prevention and personal safety are available through the Crime Prevention Unit and the Student Safety Awareness Program.

* DETECTIVE BUREAU - The Detective Bureau is responsible for investigating all criminal activity that occurs on the UCSD Campus. The Detective Bureau conducts a wide range of criminal investigations, in addition to processing crime scenes, issuing search warrants and arrest warrants. The Detective Bureau also conducts workshops on "Workplace Violence" issues.

* RESIDENTIAL SECURITY OFFICERS - The UCSD Police Department employs (13) unarmed Residential Security Officers (RSOs) who patrol the student residential areas of campus during the evening hours. RSOs provide on-site residential security to assist students and staff in the prevention of crime.

* COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM - The Community Service Officer (CSO) Program serves the UCSD community by providing campus safety escort service 365 days a year from 5:00 pm until 1:00 am. CSO's also patrol the campus parking lots during the day and lock up various campus buildings on weekends and holidays. The CSO Program consists of a dedicated group of UCSD Students who are committed to providing a quality service.

* RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) consists of several retired community volunteers who assist the UCSD Police Department by patrolling various campus buildings. The RSVP is run by the Crime Prevention Unit.

I encourage you to visit the UCSD Police Department's website at http://www.police.ucsd.edu to obtain information on current police alert bulletins, crime prevention tips and other available police services.

                                                Orville King
                                                Chief of Police