Dear USF Community,
As we welcome our students, faculty, and staff to the fall semester, the Department of Public Safety wants to help everyone enjoy all that USF and San Francisco have to offer while taking simple, proactive steps to protect themselves and their belongings.
USF remains a safe campus community, and our Public Safety team works hard every day to support the safety and well-being of our community. At the same time, opportunistic crime can occur, both on campus and throughout the city. We want to make sure you have the information, resources, and practical tools to reduce your risk and feel confident navigating campus and the neighborhoods around it.
Our team has recently noticed an increase in bike and scooter thefts, so we are asking the community to take extra precautions when securing these items. Whenever possible, use the LME Bike Room for storage (accessible to all via One Card). When using bike or scooter racks and other designated areas across campus, use a strong, high-quality lock and secure the frame of your bike or scooter — not just the wheel. Avoid leaving bikes or scooters secured in one location for extended periods, particularly overnight or for an entire day, and remove accessories such as lights, bags, and chargers when possible.
Stay Alert. Stay Aware. Stay Connected.
A few simple habits can make a meaningful difference:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up and remain attentive to the people and activity around you.
- Protect building access. Do not allow people you do not know to “tailgate” or follow you into secured buildings. If something does not feel right, do not provide access and contact Public Safety.
- Keep valuables secure. Avoid leaving phones, laptops, backpacks, wallets, or other valuables unattended, even for a short period.
- Protect your technology. Be mindful when using phones and other devices in public or open areas.
- Walk with others when possible. Use populated, well-lit routes and consider a Public Safety escort when you need one.
- Be visible and attentive. Avoid headphones or earbuds that prevent you from hearing what is happening around you.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or out of place, remove yourself from the situation and contact Public Safety.
- Secure your residence. Lock your room, apartment, or office when you leave, even if you are only stepping away briefly. Never prop open secured doors.
- Plan ahead when exploring San Francisco. If you are traveling alone, let a friend or roommate know your plans and check in with them when appropriate.
- Protect your bike or scooter. Use strong locks, secure it properly, and avoid leaving it unattended for extended periods.
- Use rideshare services safely. Before getting into a rideshare, verify the vehicle, license plate, and driver information in the app. Wait for your ride in a safe, well-lit location when possible, and avoid sharing unnecessary personal information with your driver. Use the app's trip-sharing and emergency safety features when available, and trust your instincts — if something does not feel right, do not enter the vehicle.
If You See Something, Say Something.
Our community plays an important role in campus safety. If you see something that appears suspicious or out of place, please report it to Public Safety. You do not need to determine whether something is a crime before calling — we would rather know about a concern and help assess the situation.
For non-emergency assistance or to report suspicious activity, contact USF Public Safety Dispatch at (415) 422-4201.
For emergencies, call (415) 422-2911. Emergency phones are located throughout campus, and Public Safety provides safety escorts to help community members travel safely around campus.
Our goal is simple: to help you stay informed, prepared, and confident as you learn, work, live, and explore at USF. Visit the Public Safety website for crime prevention tips »
If you have a question, concern, or simply are unsure about something, please reach out — we are always happy to help.
Sincerely,
Department of Public Safety