Ensuring Safety and Security: UCLA Campus Security Services

UCLA is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, instructors, and staff at all locations where instruction is offered. Acknowledging that a safe community involves shared responsibility, UCLA offers a comprehensive range of safety services designed to ensure the support and resources needed to focus on studies and enjoy campus life.

Comprehensive Safety Resources

UCLA offers numerous safety resources to cultivate a campus environment where everyone feels safe, welcome, respected, and fully engaged in campus life. These resources encompass emergency contacts, reporting mechanisms for concerns or safety issues, and tools for addressing maintenance needs.

Emergency Contacts and Reporting Mechanisms

In case of police, fire, or medical emergencies, dialing 911 is crucial. For reporting concerning behavior, a dedicated system routes concerns to the appropriate campus authorities. Anonymous reporting is available by dialing (310) 794-5824 to report a crime or unsafe behavior anonymously. Campus hazards can be reported using the Bruins Safe app, while maintenance issues can be addressed through the UCLA 311 app, facilitating requests for repairs or services that maintain the campus's beauty and safety, such as reporting nonfunctional lights.

Fire Resources and Air Quality Monitoring

UCLA provides fire resources and monitors air quality through an air-quality dashboard. Air-quality sensors are strategically placed around campus to provide up-to-date assessments for the immediate vicinity, offering a more specific reflection of the campus air quality than other community or city sensors might. N95 masks are available at the Ashe Center or any residence hall front desk.

Emergency Response Plans

UCLA’s emergency response plans range from shelter-in-place orders to the full evacuation of campus, depending on the situation.

Key Safety Services and Programs

UCLA provides several essential campus safety services and resources, including transportation, emergency alerts, and support for students in distress.

UCLA Transportation and CSO Escorts

UCLA Transportation coordinates efforts with the UCLA Police Department to provide programs, materials, and services focused on safety. Complimentary campus transportation is available between campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby residential areas for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors during fall, winter, and spring quarters. CSO Safety Escorts are uniformed students who have received special training and are employed by the UCLA Police Department. They are available to walk students, faculty, staff members, and visitors to and from anywhere on campus, in Westwood Village, and in the village apartments. To obtain an escort, please call (310) 794-9255, and allow 15 to 20 minutes for the escort to arrive.

UCLA Safe Ride Service

The UCLA Safe Ride service provides a safe means of transportation around campus during the evening hours. The vans provide transportation between campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby residential areas. The service is free of charge and available to all UCLA students, staff, faculty, and visitors. For added safety, the vans are driven by Community Service Officers (CSOs) who carry two-way radios, providing a direct link to the UCLA Police Department. All ride requests need to be made using the UCLA Safe Ride app from a smart phone or computer, available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Users will install the app, select University of California, Los Angeles and login using their UCLA Logon ID. Pick up and drop off locations are selected from an available list on the app. UCLA Safe Rides are available Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters until midnight.

Emergency Alerts (BruinAlert)

UCLA uses BruinAlert to alert the UCLA community of a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation. BruinAlert is used only for emergencies.

Community Service Officers (CSOs)

CSOs are UCLA students in good standing, with at least one year remaining in school. Some kind of previous work experience is preferred, but security experience is not necessary. They work at least fifteen hours a week during an academic quarter and have a valid driver's license. CSOs are not police officers; they serve the community but do not enforce laws or write anyone up for UCLA Policy violations. CSOs patrol all campus libraries daily, monitor and restrict access to various buildings on campus, and conduct rounds. The CSO Programs are often hired by campus departments or private companies to provide various security services for temporary "special" events or activities.

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UCLA Police Department Communications Center

The UCLA Police Department Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day by trained public safety dispatchers. The dispatchers receive calls from 9-1-1 and the non-emergency business lines and assign police officers, firefighters, paramedics/EMTs, CSOs, and parking enforcement officers as appropriate. The UCLA Police Department is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for teaching, research, and public service through patrol, rapid response to calls for service, investigations, education, and implementation of preventative strategies.

Case Management Services

Case Managers are available to assist students struggling with mental or physical health, facing an unexpected challenge or crisis, or experiencing a personal loss. They can support students by exploring options, identifying on-campus resources, and helping students create a plan for their next steps. Case Managers are key members of the Consultation and Response Team (CRT). To initiate contact with Case Management Services, please visit Refer a Student.

Behavior Intervention Team (BIT)

The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) reviews reports of situations where a person may be at risk of harming themselves or others or pose a significant disruption to the campus environment.

Threat Management Unit (TMU)

The Threat Management Unit (TMU) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Police Department investigates and manages cases of harassment, stalking, threats, and workplace violence. UCLA is committed to providing a safe work environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors - one that is free of violent behavior and threats of harm. UCLA prohibits violent behavior and threats of harm affecting the workplace. Such behavior violates both law and University policy.

UCLA Health Threat Assessment Team (TAT)

The UCLA Health Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is a multidisciplinary group that addresses concerning or disruptive behaviors at UCLA medical facilities.

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Reporting Procedures

Prompt and accurate reporting is essential for maintaining campus safety. UCLA provides clear guidelines for reporting emergencies, crimes, and non-emergency situations.

Reporting a Crime

To report crimes in progress, whether or not a life is threatened, call 9-1-1. Even cell phones without service will allow you to call 9-1-1. As long as you are not in danger, do not leave the location of the crime so that the police can ask questions and take a statement.

Non-Emergency Situations

To report non-emergency situations, such as suspicious behavior or lost documents, call the UC Police Department at (310) 825-1491. It is highly recommended to save this phone number in your cell phone.

Interactions with Police

The police are there to help and should always be treated with respect. In turn, they should also be treating you with respect. Comply with all requests and follow the Police Officer’s directions. If you are driving a car and you are ever pulled over by the police, DO NOT get out of your car unless you are told to do so. Stay in your car, and the police officer will approach your car. Always keep your hands where the police officer can see them. If an officer issues a ticket or citation, do not argue with them. You must sign the ticket, which is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgment that you were given the ticket. You will have a chance to argue your case in court. Bribing police officers is highly illegal in the United States.

Additional Safety Tips

Beyond the formal services and resources, adopting personal safety practices is crucial for ensuring well-being on and off campus.

General Safety Advice

When leaving, try to walk with other students back to parking structures and be aware of your surroundings. Take note of the many "blue hood" emergency call boxes around the campus. When traveling, avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables and do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers. Accept rides only in taxis or with people you know.

Safety Precautions for Visitors

Many visitors to the United States are concerned about public safety, and certain precautions should be taken. It is usually a good idea to ask a local for advice about which areas are safe and which areas you should avoid. You should not walk alone at night, even on campus.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Equity

UCLA is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of all members of the Bruin community through the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The Civil Rights Office (CRO) was established in 2020 by UCLA’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is led by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights. It serves UCLA’s campus and the UCLA Health System and is comprised of the following units: Office for the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights (OAVC-CR), Discrimination Prevention Office (DPO), Staff, Diversity & Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance Office (SD&C), and the Title IX Office (T9).

Recent Initiatives and Responses

UCLA has taken "concrete and significant steps" to strengthen campus security, enforce policies, and combat antisemitism, including the creation of an Office of Campus and Community Safety and new policies to manage protests on campus.

Well-being Resources

Be Well Bruin is a comprehensive resource directory that highlights UCLA’s various resource centers, programs, and departments that support student health and well-being. There are more than 100 campus resources available on the site. Semel HCI acts as a spark plug and home for health-related innovation on campus, helping bridge diverse departments and stakeholders, and leverage the strengths of individuals and institutions on and off campus. Its seven thematic subcommittees work to create academic, experiential and structural approaches to living well through curricula, programming, communication and branding, research, operations and service.

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