Prevent Crime

Security Awareness and Crime Prevention Tips

Incident Reporting

  • For emergencies or a crime being committed, call 9-1-1.
  • Report all crimes, no matter how minor they may seem. Notify UOPD of all suspicious persons or activity at 541-346-2919.
  • On campus, report any dim or unsafe-looking areas, or any malfunctioning lights, doors or windows, to UOPD at 541-346-2919.
  • For further information on reporting, see the UOPD Report Crime page.

Important Phone Numbers

  • Emergencies: 9-1-1
  • UOPD Non-Emergency: 541-346-2919
  • Eugene Police Department Non-Emergency: 541-682-5111
  • Springfield Police Department Non-Emergency: 541-726-3714

Personal Safety

Survivors of crimes are not responsible for their victimization, regardless of their actions. Criminals are responsible for crime. Not all crimes can be prevented with preparation and readiness, but campus community members can improve their safety taking the following precautions:

  • If working or studying late, arrange to leave with a friend or call UOPD at 541-346-2919 for Safety Escort assistance. Lock doors and windows if working late alone.
  • Refrain from getting in elevators with people who look out of place or behave in a strange or threatening way.
  • Always immediately report suspicious people or conditions to UOPD (541-346-2919).
  • If being followed, go to a populated area.
  • Be alert to any suspicious persons or vehicles.
  • Carry a fully charged cell phone with emergency numbers pre-programmed.
  • Student survivors of crime may find support and resource options at safe.uoregon.edu, or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).

Property Protection

  • Don’t leave valuables unattended (backpacks, wallets, purses, keys, computers, phones, electronic devices, etc.).
  • Engrave personal property, such as electronic or sporting equipment, with an Oregon Driver's License number, like this: OR123456DL.
  • Keep a written record of all personal valuables, including descriptions and serial numbers. It is evidence that the property belongs to the rightful owner.

Bicycle Theft

  • Never leave a bicycle unlocked. It only takes a moment to steal an unlocked bicycle.
  • U-shaped locks are best. Cables and padlocks can be cut easily and quickly.
  • Lock the bicycle frame to a bike rack or other secure object. Front wheels can be easily removed.
  • Bicycle registration is mandatory on campus. Free bicycle registration is available online at https://project529.com/oregon. For more information, contact the Department of Parking and Transportation (1401 Walnut St., 541-346-5444, parking.uoregon.edu, email: parking@uoregon.edu).

Office Security

  • Never leave purses, wallets, or other valuables unattended. Lock them in a drawer or closet, or carry them.
  • Do not leave keys unattended, and do not loan out university keys.
  • Request authorization from persons asking for confidential information or from delivery or repair people who want to enter an area restricted to employees.

Key Control

  • Those responsible for office keys should not leave them unattended, in plain sight on a desk, or in a top drawer where they could be taken or copied easily.
  • Give keys only to those who have a legitimate need and make sure they are returned.
  • If keys or key cards are lost or stolen, notify UOPD immediately (541-346-2919).
  • For more information, see Key and Access Office.

Parking Safety

  • Lock vehicles at all times.
  • When returning to a vehicle, have the keys out while approaching. Check the interior before getting inside.
  • Notify UOPD immediately of any suspicious people loitering in the parking lot.
  • Remove all valuables from vehicles. Leave them at home, carry them, or lock them in the trunk.
  • Do not leave animals in vehicles parked on UO property.

In a Threatening Situation

  • If physically attacked, attract attention by yelling loudly or using a whistle.
  • If using self-defense tactics or equipment such as pepper spray, run away as soon as the attacker is disabled.
  • Decide what to do in various situations before they occur. Try role-playing with a friend.
  • If confronted by someone who only wants property, give it to them.
  • Try to get an accurate description of the assailant. If a vehicle is involved, get the license number and call UOPD

Campus Safety Tips

When crimes occur on campus, UOPD informs campus community members so they can take precautions to avoid becoming victim of crimes, or so they may aid in the solving of crimes. The UOPD tracks, evaluates and distributes crime data. For questions or information requests, call UOPD at 541-346-2919 or email by using the feedback form at police.uoregon.edu. 

UOPD may provide the following safety tips as part of campus crime alerts that are sent to all students and employees after incidents occur:

No action or inaction by crime survivors makes those people responsible for their victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects. The following suggestions may help reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime, or may improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance.

Assault/Robbery/Sexual Assault

  • It is a crime to intentionally touch people against their will, regardless of the situation.
  • Bystanders should try to be aware of their surroundings, and if there are signs of a person in distress, bystanders should make themselves known and offer assistance if it is safe to do so, and/or seek immediate help from police or security personnel.
  • Every person and situation is different; survivors must decide for themselves what actions or responses are safest in any situation. If someone attempts to grab you, you have the right to yell “NO” loudly, or do whatever is necessary to get the person to let go, and flee to a safe place and seek help. When safe, try to remember as much as possible about the person’s appearance and behavior.
  • While assaults by strangers do occur, most sexual assaults are perpetrated by people known to the survivor. Sexual assault includes any conduct that involves non-consensual sexual penetration or non-consensual personal contact of a sexual nature.
  • Encourage friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas.
  • Whenever possible, keep valuables secured and out of sight.
  • Contact UOPD for an on-campus escort (541-346-2919) or call a taxicab. 
  • If you feel you or others are in danger, call 9-1-1.
  • To report suspicious, illegal or unusual activity on campus, call UOPD at 541-346-2919. For emergencies or if you see a crime being committed, call 9-1-1.

Resources Available for Survivors of Crime

  • Call 541-346-SAFE (7233) at any time or visit safe.uoregon.edu to learn about options and resources.
  • For students, a range of support services are available through the Office of the Dean of Students, 541-346-3216; uodos@uoregon.edu.
  • For students, personal counseling and other support services are available through the University Counseling and Testing Center, 541-346-3227 (available 24 hours); counseling.uoregon.edu.
  • For students, medical and sexual assault examination services are available at University Health Center, 541-346-2770; healthcenter.uoregon.edu.
  • For employees, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, 541-346-3123, and Office of Human Resources, 541-346-3159, can assist in connecting to resources.
  • Other community resources available are Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), 541-343-7277 (24 hour crisis line) or 541-484-9791, Womenspace, 541-485-8232 or 541-485-6513 (24 hour crisis line), and White Bird Clinic Counseling, 541-342-8255 or 541-687-4000 (24 hour crisis line).

Burglary/Break-In/Etc.

  • It is a crime to enter someone's residence without permission, regardless of whether the door is locked.
  • Communities are safest when members look out for each other: report any suspicious activity or unauthorized strangers immediately.
  • Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 9-1-1, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919.
  • Immediately report any malfunctioning doors or windows in your residence to the property managers or residence hall staff, and insist the problem be corrected as soon as possible.
  • In residence halls or secured apartment complexes, do not let in strangers, do not allow strangers to enter behind you as a courtesy, and do not lend out keys.
  • Only open the front door of a residence to someone you know or trust.

Property Crime

  • To report suspicious, illegal or unusual activity on campus, call UOPD at 541-346-2919. For emergencies or if you see a crime being committed, call 9-1-1.
  • Keep possessions in sight at all times. Don't leave books or backpacks unattended anywhere, it only takes a matter of seconds for things to disappear.
  • If you leave your office or room, even for a few minutes, LOCK THE DOOR! It's much easier to invest the few seconds it takes than to spend the time later filing a police report and replacing the property.
  • Avoid taking wallets, money and jewelry into athletic facilities and storing them in lockers, which are targets for thieves.
  • Don't leave objects plainly visible in vehicles; secure them in the trunk whenever possible or leave them at home.
  • Register bicycles online at https://project529.com/oregon and keep them locked in approved areas with quality U-locks.

Drugging/Intoxication/DUII

  • Don't touch people against their will, or without their consent (and incapacitated or unconscious people are not able to legally consent); this is a crime. Do not attempt to impair someone through intoxication or other means. Do not "spike" food or beverage in an attempt to impair someone; this is illegal.
  • Keep your beverages in your control. Don't accept an open beverage from an unknown source, offered by a person that you do not trust.
  • Look out for the well-being of friends who may be incapacitated. Don't leave an impaired friend alone, or with a stranger or untrusted acquaintance. If a friend needs medical help, call 9-1-1.
  • Schedule a pickup from the Designated Driver Shuttle (541-346-7433 ext. 1) or call a taxi. Don't drive or cycle while intoxicated, don't get into a vehicle with anyone who has been drinking, and don't let a friend do the same. Don't accept a ride from someone you don't trust.
  • Encourage friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas. Be aware of surroundings, and attempt to keep a safe distance from strangers. Whenever possible, keep valuables secured and out of sight.
  • If you feel you or others are in danger, call 9-1-1. To report suspicious, illegal or unusual activity on campus, call UOPD at 541-346-2919. Off-campus, call Eugene Police at 541-682-5111. For emergencies or if you see a crime being committed, call 9-1-1.

Stalking/Bullying

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
  • Trust your instincts on feelings of danger, and take threats seriously.
  • Develop a safety plan. Include things like changing your routine, arranging a place to stay, and having a friend go places with you. Also decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at your apartment/residence hall, classroom, work, or somewhere else. Let your friends know how they can help you.
  • Tell family, friends, and others you trust about the stalking or bullying and seek their support.
  • Contact the UO Police Department (UOPD) at 541-346-2919. UOPD staff can assist you with understanding and taking action if a stalker or bully has broken the law.
  • Consider getting a court-ordered protective order that tells a stalker to stay away from you. If you aren’t ready to get a court-ordered protective stalking order, if the stalker is a university student, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards can issue the stalker a “no contact” letter that informs the stalker to stay away from you.
  • Get campus support. There are many services on-campus that are here to offer support; start with safe.uoregon.edu.
  • For more information on how these behaviors may fall under the student code of conduct, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at 541-346-1140.