December 2024

Dec. 16, 2024

Dear UMB Community:

December always seems like a mix of fast and slow. There’s the hustle and bustle of exams, projects, buying gifts, and preparing for holiday celebrations. As we complete those exams and wrap up those projects, we turn to focus on time with family and friends. 

On behalf of our team at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Department of Police and Public Safety, I want to thank you for another wonderful year at UMB. It’s our honor to keep this community safe each day. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 410-706-6882. We will continue to be here 24/7 for all your public safety needs. Happy holidays!

Sincerely,

Thomas Leone, MSL

Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police

Safety Tip: Holiday Scams 

Don’t get scammed by bad actors this holiday season! The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns about fake online shopping websites and listings, fake charities, phishing websites, and more. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Make sure emails come from a trusted source before you click them and be wary of “too good to be true” deals. Learn more about phishing and spam email from our UMB Center for Information Technology Services. 
• Verify that a website is real. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar and that the URL begins with “https.” Scam websites can look legitimate, so be vigilant!
• It’s the season of giving! Make sure you’re donating to a trusted charity, like University System of Maryland giving. 
• If you’re buying directly from a seller (e.g., Facebook Marketplace), meet them in a public place, like a police department parking lot. 

If you’ve been caught in a scam, you can fill out a report on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Cancel your credit or debit card and dispute fraudulent charges.

Source: “FBI Warns — These Holiday Shopping Scams Could Ruin Your 2024 Season,” Forbes.

Safety Tip: Smoking Safety

Smoking in stairwells and close to UMB buildings has increased as the temperatures dip. As a reminder, our UMB Non-Smoking Policy prohibits smoking on campus except for designated smoking areas. Improperly discarding cigarette butts can also cause mulch fires. Please review the policy and report any indoor smoking to your building’s security officer.

Private Pine Returns with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Our Elf Recruit is back for his fourth year and this time there’s a tasty twist! Private Pine is leaving candy canes across campus while sharing safety tips and public safety resources. Follow @PoliceUMB on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram and be the first to find his daily treat. Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag us on social media!

Sign Up for School of Social Work Building Newsletter

Construction is underway on the new School of Social Work building! Did you know members of our team are involved in ensuring this building is safe before it’s even built? Learn more about safety features, construction updates, and more by signing up for the newsletter.

Request Active Assailant Training

UMB Police and Public Safety provides free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training – and we’ll come right to you! These trainings are available on demand for our students and employees. Learn more and request your training today. 

Request a Little K9 Therapy

Our comfort K9, Poe, is available to provide some R&R during the stress of exams and year-end projects! Take a few moments to enjoy some puppy snuggles. Request a visit with Poe. 

UMB Public Safety by the Numbers: November 

Each month, UMB Public Safety provides thousands of valuable services and resources to the communities we serve. In this segment, we highlight the previous month’s data to showcase the work of our employees. 

• Average time from Safe Ride request to pickup: 9 minutes, 6 seconds
• Safe Rides given: 2,322
• Building checks: 2,730
• Local business checks: 80 
• Garage checks: 932
• Visitors logged: 11,565

'Tis the Season to be Fire Safe

Do you enjoy decorating for the holiday season? This year, make sure you inspect your holiday lights for frayed or pinched wires. As a reminder, candles, other than flameless, are not allowed in UMB buildings. Consider switching to battery-operated flameless candles to satisfy your decorating desires! Learn more about our December safety tip.

Code Corner: Candles 

The National Fire Protection Association estimated that U.S. fire departments respond to an annual average of 5,910 home fires that start by candles. Half of candle fires start when flammable decor is too close to a lit candle. To keep our UMB family safe, candles are not allowed within UMB property. 

Learn about additional common code violations from OFM. If you have questions, please reach out to the office directly at firemarshal@umaryland.edu.

Well-Being Starts with Safety

Let OEM help you embrace our core value of well-being! To truly take care of oneself and others, we must first be safe and feel safe. OEM offers trainings, resources, and more to keep our UMB community safe at work, at home, and in the community. Learn more at umaryland.edu/emergency. 

Free Emergency Preparedness Training Available Online

Learn what to do during an emergency, where to find lifesaving equipment, and much more! You can start the training online now or request in-person training by contacting emergencymanagement@umaryland.edu. 

Emergency Preparedness Training is one part of the Preparedness Pro digital credential. Learn more about our series of preparedness trainings at UMB, including Active Assailant, Stop the Bleed, CPR/AED, and Fire Extinguisher training.

Holiday Lab Safety Plan

As labs begin slowing down research operations for the holiday season, EHS reminds labs to create a lab-specific safety plan for operating during UMB closures or decreased holiday presence. You can use EHS’ helpful guide for preparing your lab for the holidays.

Elements of your plan should include:  

• Confirming a critical contact list.
• Ensuring essential equipment is on emergency power and has adequate supplies to run through any absence.
• Securing physical research materials and backing up critical research data.
• Reviewing your emergency response plan, including plans in case personnel become ill.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination.