Safety
Emergency phone numbers
University police officers are available 24/7. Emergency phones are located throughout campus, and are easily identified by a blue light on top of the phone box or column. You can call the police, fire department, or an ambulance by pressing the red button or dialing 911. Even if you can’t say anything, dispatchers will know which Blue Light Phone you’re calling from, and will immediately send someone there.
In case of emergency:
Call 911 from any landline
Call 510/642-3333 from cellular phones (store it in your phone now, so you will have it in an emergency)
Call 800/705-9998 (campus emergency information line)
Visit emergency.berkeley.edu (campus emergency website)
Call 800/309-2131 (suicide prevention)
Listen to KALX 90.7 FM (information and safety alerts)
The emergency room closest to campus is Alta Bates Hospital (2450 Ashby Avenue, just east of Telegraph Avenue; 510/204-4444.)
People Locator
A new online locator service is available for UC Berkeley students, staff, and faculty. After a large-scale emergency (such as an earthquake), you can log on to this website with your CalNet IDand post a message that friends, family, and co-workers can view (peoplelocator.berkeley.edu).
UC Police Department (UCPD)
The Berkeley campus has a dedicated, full-service police department with 75 sworn officers, 45 full-time civilian personnel, and 60 student employees. UCPD has primary law-enforcement jurisdiction on the campus and on University-associated properties. The department is empowered as a full-service state law enforcement agency, and subscribes to the standards of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Officers receive the same basic training as city and county peace officers throughout the state, plus additional training to meet the unique needs of a campus environment.
UCPD handles all patrol, investigation, crime-prevention education, emergency preparedness, and related law enforcement duties for the campus community, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UCPD coordinates closely with the city police department, operating joint patrol programs in the south campus area, and communicating at all levels to ensure the effective provision of police services (police.berkeley.edu; 1 Sproul Hall; police@berkeley.edu; 510/642-6760).
The Crime Prevention Unit offers free safety and property-protection programs to students. Officers can make an inspection of your campus building to identify security problems, and can give a safety presentation at your living unit (510/642-3722).
The Jeanne Clery Act is a federal law that requires the University to disclose reported instances of criminal activity on campus. Crime statistics—as well as important safety information—are included in Safety Counts (a UCPD publication), which can be seen online (police.berkeley.edu/safetycounts), and are available at Sproul Hall. Safety Counts is mailed directly to all registered students annually.
UCPD’s Lost and Found will hold items for 90 days. After that time, unclaimed items will be disposed of. The Lost and Found does not accept clothing (1 Sproul Hall; 510/642-4936).
Publications include
Safety Counts, the campus safety guide (includes crime statistics)
B-Safe Bulletins, on various crime prevention topics
Pocket Safety Guide, with important safety contacts
Safety concerns
Night safety
Night time personal safety tips:
- Use Cal’s Night Safety Programs (see below)
- Plan your route with safety in mind
- Travel with a friend or in a group
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings
- Program some taxi numbers into your phone or carry them with you.
If you sense danger:
- Move away from the threat
- Yell, scream, or make a commotion to attract other people
- Go to an open business
- Call 911 from a safe location
- Use a Blue Light Phone or dial 510/642-3333 from a cell phone on campus (put this number in your cell phone now so you have it ready if you need it)
A Night Safety Map showing walking routes and more safety tips is available on the UCPD website (police.berkeley.edu).
The Night Safety Shuttle is an extension of BearTransit daytime service, and provides safe nighttime transit to and from campus for classes, study, research, and meetings. Routes run from points on campus to BART, Clark Kerr Campus, and all residence halls.
Night Safety Shuttles are free to all, and operate from 7:30 pm to 2:52 am (except during certain holiday periods).
Routes designated as “To-Your-Door” will pick up at marked BearTransit stops and will drop you anywhere you request (within service area boundaries). Service area boundaries for all night shuttle services are Hopkins/Yolo/Eunice Streets (N), Hillside/Prospect Streets (E), Ashby Street (S), and Sacramento Street (W).
Check the Parking & Transportation website for more info on routes and schedules (pt.berkeley.edu; 510/642-6760).
Owl Service extends BearWALK Service into the early morning hours. At your request, the Owl van can pick you up from a campus location (such as campus housing or any designated BearTransit shuttle stop), and drop you off within wider service area boundaries. Request free service by phone between 2am to 6am, 365 days a year (510/642-WALK).
The BearWALK Service is provided by uniformed, radio-equipped, and trained student UCPD employees called Community Service Officers (CSOs). CSOs will walk you to and from campus locations (including residence halls), night shuttle stops, nearby residences, public transportation, or parking facilities within service boundaries. Hours of service are from dusk to dawn: 7:30pm to 2am (daylight-savings time) or 6pm to 2am (Pacific standard time). Service boundaries are Shattuck, Parker, Warring, Highland Place, and Cedar. BearWALK is free and available 365 days per year (police.berkeley.edu; call 510/642-WALK).
Sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence
University Health Services
UHS offers resources to contribute to a safer campus environment. It works to prevent sexual crimes (through workshops and referrals to self-defense classes), and supports survivors in the unfortunate instance of an assault. Women and men who have been harrassed or assaulted can receive crisis counseling, advocacy, case management, and medical care from UHS. Medical care may include testing for pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections, treatment, and follow-up for injuries. Victims’ families and friends are also eligible for some assistance through UHS (uhs.berkeley.edu; Tang Center; 2222 Bancroft Way).
Sexual Assault Prevention Program: 510/642-7202
Survivor Counseling, Advocacy Assistance (Social Services): 510/642-6074
Counseling Services: 510/642-9494
Urgent Medical Care: 510/642-3188
Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq)
The Gender Equity Resource Center has trained staff who are available to talk privately with students, faculty, and staff about issues related to sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, and stalking. Short-term crisis intervention is available, as well as support services such as an overview of available options, assistance with the administrative processes/documents, and resource information. GenEq professional staff and student interns are sensitive to the needs of survivors and can serve as supportive advocates in a process that can be emotionally challenging. They are able to assist students of all genders and sexual orientations. Call or stop by for an appointment (geneq.berkeley.edu; 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center; geneq@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4786).
Hate crimes
Hate crime/bias incident education and reporting
At Cal, support is given to any member of the campus community who experiences a hate or bias-related incident. Action is taken, and those who are alleged to have violated federal and state laws—or the Campus Code of Conduct—are investigated (students.berkeley.edu/uga/conduct.asp).
Bias Incidents/Hate Acts Education is a program within the Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq) that addresses acts of hate and intolerance by providing educational outreach. The program also provides support services and resources for those who have been victims of (or who have witnessed) hate crimes, bias-related incidents, or other forms of discrimination (geneq.berkeley.edu; 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center; geneq@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4786).
Crimes can be reported to UCPD (1 Sproul Hall; 510/642-6760—non-emergency; 510/642-3333—emergency, cell phone; or 911 from campus), and acts of intolerance or hate graffiti can be reported online (stophate.berkeley.edu).
Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP)
The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) educates the Berkeley campus community on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies. OEP activities include distributing emergency preparedness information, posting information in campus buildings, orchestrating campus disaster planning, and performing fire mitigation measures in the hills behind campus.
In the event of a major disaster, information, assistance, and resources are coordinated at Emergency Assembly Areas (EAAs). Large, colorful Emergency Procedures signs are posted in every campus building, highlighting the nearest Emergency Assembly Area. Students, faculty, and staff should familiarize themselves with the location of the EAA for each building before a disaster occurs.
If you live in the residence halls, you will receive instruction on what to do in emergency situations from residence hall staff. In addition, ongoing training (including earthquake/emergency preparedness presentations) is available during the year for groups of 10 or more (oep.berkeley.edu; 1 Sproul Hall; oep@berkeley.edu; 510/642-9036).
Be prepared!
Emergency preparedness requires forethought. Spend a few minutes reviewing these checklists; they could save you time—and possibly your life—in an emergency.
Things to know
- Learn the evacuation routes where you live, and in buildings you use often.
- Know where fire extinguishers and pull alarms are located.
- Work out a plan ahead of time for contacting your friends and family to let them know you’re safe. (Think about an out-of-state contact; phone lines are likely to be jammed where you are, and you should avoid all but emergency calls.)
- Learn to use the People Locator (page 19). Make your family and friends aware of it.
- Take First Aid, CPR, and fire suppression training.
- Check the OEP website (oep.berkeley.edu) for lots of information on preparing your room for an earthquake, things to do in your residence hall, house, or apartment, supplies to keep on hand in your home and/or car, where to buy supplies, and much more.
The Alerting and Warning System (AWS)
The campus has a network of sirens and communication links to warn and inform the campus community of what to do in an emergency or disaster. Campus sirens are tested the first Wednesday of every month, at noon. If you hear the warning sirens during an actual emergency, take the three following steps:
1) Shelter: go inside your residence or office, a nearby building, or your car, and stay inside. If driving a car, safely pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine, and stay tuned to a local radio station like KALX 90.7FM.
2) Shut: all doors and windows. Building managers will turn off ventilation systems, if feasible.
3) Listen: access one of the following sites to obtain campus emergency information, such as disaster type, evacuation routes, shelter and aid locations, or special instructions:
Emergency Information Line: 800/705-9998
Emergency Website: emergency.berkeley.edu
Campus radio station: KALX 90.7 FM.
What to do during an earthquake
If you’re inside
- Duck under a sturdy object, like a desk or a door frame, and hold on to it.
- If you’re not near a sturdy object, sit on the floor next to an interior wall in a tuck position. Protect your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- Avoid filing cabinets, bookcases, and heavy objects that could fall or shatter. Stay away—and face away—from windows.
- Watch out for falling plaster, ceiling tiles, and light fixtures.
- Stay under cover until the shaking stops, then evacuate the building.
- Use stairs only; do not use elevators. If you’re in a wheelchair, wait in the indicated “safe area of waiting” that is closest to you and pass your location on to emergency responders.
If you’re outside
Move away from trees, signs, buildings, and electrical poles/wires. Protect your head and neck with your arms; shelter from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.
Seismic activity on the web
See the last 24 hours of earth-shaking activity; nine UC reporting stations cover a distance from Eureka to Parkfield (ncedc.org/bdsn/quicklook.html).
View a map of recent California earthquakes (ncedc.org/recenteqs/latest.htm)
Campus earthquake report hotline: 510/642-2160