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BGSU's Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides around-the-clock
protection and sponsors many crime prevention programs. It maintains
security of all buildings on the main campus and other facilities
located off campus. University maintenance personnel inspect
campus facilities and grounds regularly, make repairs, and respond
to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as
broken windows and locks.
DPS provides a safe working and learning environment for the
BGSU community through the combination of these efforts:
- Campus Escort Service
- University
shuttle bus service
- sophisticated outdoor lighting system
- 911 telephone system
- outdoor emergency telephones
- 24-hour University Police patrol of the campus in marked
police cars, on bicycles and on foot
- electronic door access security systems in all residence
halls. [Residents are issued a personal entry device (PED).]
Main Campus Contact Information
Emergencies, any campus or off-campus location: 911
Non-emergencies:
- Bowling Green State University Police, 419-372-2346
- Bowling Green Police, 419-352-2571
- Wood County Sheriff's Department,419- 354-9137
Firelands Campus Contact Information
Emergencies, any campus or off-campus location: 911
Non-emergencies:
- Firelands Switchboard Operator, 419-433-5560
- Erie County Sheriff's Department, 419-625-7951
The vision of the BGSU Department of Public Safety is a safe
and secure campus that demonstrates openness, trust, honest
and integrity and respects differences in ideas, people and
lifestyles. These same qualities will be reflected in the Department
of Public Safety's leadership, personnel, programs and services,
and its image, both on and off campus
The mission of BGSU's Department of Public Safety is to ensure
a safe and secure, and orderly campus for students, faculty,
staff and visitors at Bowling Green State University, thereby
contributing toward a positive learning environment.
University Police recognizes and supports, in action and in
spirit, the mission of Bowling Green State University. We continually
strive to improve the quality of service the campus community
receives. We actively investigate problems and incidents and
search for positive solutions that will support a sense of security
throughout the campus.
Reporting to the University's Vice President for Financial
Affairs, the department is staffed by 22 police officers who
have full police authority and meet all state law enforcement
standards. The department provides law enforcement, security,
regulates parking and traffic, shuttle service, campus escort
service, motor vehicle services and educational programs for
the campus community.
Uniformed officers patrol the campus 24 hours each day using
marked police cars, bicycle, and foot patrols. All police officers
are armed and receive extensive training in the use of deadly
force. BGSU officers have completed state mandated training
and are state certified.
The Ohio Revised Code (Section 3345.04) grants the University
authority to designate employees as police officers who take
an oath to uphold the rules of the institution and laws of the
state. These officers are empowered to arrest any offender and
bring that person before the local court system for judgement.
University police work in conjunction with Bowling Green City
Police through a mutual aid agreement. BGSU police cooperates
with all local police authorities, state authorities and federal
authorities in the exercise of its responsibilities. It is the
policy of Public Safety to encourage accurate and prompt reporting
of all crime to police.
The Office of Student Life, Associate Dean of Students for
Judicial Affairs, is responsible for on-campus student disciplinary
proceedings. BGSU police and the Office of Judical Affairs work
collaboratively to resolve incidents of student misconduct that
affect Univeristy policy and procedures.
BGSU Police investigates incidents of a criminal nature and
initiates, before a court of law, any required legal action.
If needed, assistance is available from Bowling Green City Police,
Wood County Sheriff's Department, Ohio State Patrol, Ohio Bureau
of Criminal Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In addition to sworn police officers, Public Safety employs
a modest student security staff that provide services for the
University community. The members of this unit do not have statutory
arrest powers, but work to assist police with security matters.
BGSU maintains an open campus environment and encourages the
community to participate in activities that are open to the
public. However, the University reserves the right to restrict
unauthorized persons from its grounds when appropriate.
Reporting Criminal Activity On and Off Campus
The Department of Public Safety is accessible 24 hours a day
to receive information or provide officer assistance. The department
is located 104 Commons, just east of the Little Red School House.
Criminal activity or emergencies (fire or medical) may be reported
by dialing 911 or 2-2346 from any university phone. There
are currently 20 blue emergency phones located throughout campus
that ring directly into the campus police station.
Any criminal activity taking place off campus, in the city
of Bowling Green, can be reported 24 hours each day to Bowling
Green City Police located at 175 W. Wooster, 911 or 419-352-2571.
Dialing 911 from any off-campus phone will put you in contact
with a Wood County 911 dispatcher. Incidents that occur outside
of Bowling Green city limits, in Wood County, can be reported
to the Wood County Sheriff's Department located at One Courthouse
Square (the corner of Prospect and Pike) or phone 419-354-9137.
BGSU police seeks and shares information with local law enforcement
agencies on a regular basis. This cooperative working relationship
makes it easier for us to monitor and record information concerning
criminal activity occurring off campus involving students and
student organizations affiliated with the Univeristy.
Disseminating Information on Dangerous Crimes
We encourage everyone to take responsibility for the safety
and security of themselves and others. We promote the crime
prevention message through campus programs and literature distribution.
We believe that publicizing crime and campus safety information
helps make this campus safer.
We make timely warning reports to the campus community of serious
crimes, such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, arson, aggravated
assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, rape, and hate crime.
These serious crimes are reported to the campus community using
"Crime Alert" bulletins, the World Wide Web (httpL//www.bgsu.edu/explorer/crime.html),
the student newspaper, campus radio, campus television station,
local news media and/or other mailings. "Crime Alert"
bulletins can be found posted on bulletin boards in both large
and small living units, academic and nonacademic buildings,
and the BGSU explorer web page.
Building Security
The Department of Public Safety maintains security of all buildings
on the main campus and various other facilities located off
campus. University maintenance personnel inspect campus facilities
and grounds regularly, making repairs and responding immediately
to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as
broken windows and locks.
The Department of Public Safety personnel annually employs
Campus Service Officers (CSO). These students assist University
police with security of campus buildings and property. The CSOs
are responsible for checking interior and exterior doors and
locks of campus buildings and campus parking areas. Using a
department-issued radio, they are trained to report criminal
or suspicious activity.
University housing facilities are restricted to residents and
invited guests. Only residents and authorized University personnel
have keys to housing units. The primary responsibility for ensuring
that the exterior doors of a livng unit or building are secure
rests with the residents. All exterior doors of living units,
except the main entrance or other designated doors, are locked
at all times. Door propping is a violation of the on-campus
housing policy. Only residents or guests accompainied by a resident,
showing identification, may enter a living unit after midnight.
In addition to University police, the Office of Residence Life,
a division of Student Affairs, hires night clerks to help oversee
on campus housing. A night clerk is assigned to the main entrance
of each residence hall from midnight until 8 a.m., while two
or more night clerks check for doors that have been propped
open, suspicious activity, vandalism or other unauthorized activity.
Shrubbery and trees are regularly trimmed to maintain a safe
and attractive landscape. All outside campus lighting is numbered
to ensure accurate reporting and prompt repair of non-functioning
lights.
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BGSU
Safety and Security