Public Safety
The Public Safety Office works to create a safe campus community in which to work, live, and learn. Public Safety is primarily a service-oriented department created to meet the specialized needs of a large urban university. Some of the duties of the officers include foot and vehicle patrols, record keeping and medical emergency coordination. Public Safety operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to serve and protect students, faculty and staff.
-
Lincoln Park Campus: To request assistance on the Lincoln Park Campus, call (773) 325-7777. Students should report all suspicious activities or persons to the Public Safety Office via phone or by visiting Public Safety, Centennial Hall, 2345 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 304.
-
Loop Campus: To summon assistance on the Loop Campus, call (312) 362-8400. Students should report suspicious activities or persons to the Loop Public Safety Office, located at 25 E. Jackson Boulevard, Lewis Center, Lower Level 103.
-
Escort Service: Public Safety offers a safety escort service to all students on the Lincoln Park Campus. The escort service runs between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. Students are escorted from one DePaul University building to another, including parking lots. Also included in this service is the Fullerton train stop. On the Lincoln Park Campus, an escort may be obtained by calling (773) 325-SAFE (7233).
*Medical transports and vehicle escorts are limited to two riders at this time. This is subject to change based on public health guidance.
Community Area Cameras
Cameras are installed in common areas, elevators, entranceways and lobbies in all residence halls. There are also cameras on the exteriors of buildings. Cameras are in place for added security and are recorded 24 hours per day.
Residents in Need of Assistance during Building Evacuations
During an emergency evacuation, the Office of Public Safety must have the ability to identify individuals who need evacuation assistance, including the type of assistance required. All students and staff, as well as visitors, with disabilities and special requirements, including those with mobility, visual, auditory or cognitive impairments, who need assistance in an emergency evacuation are encouraged to self-identify and register with the
Office of Public Safety at the beginning of each academic quarter. To self-identify, please contact the emergency management department at (773) 325-4414 with on-campus residence, schedule, and classroom information.
Severe Weather
The following information may help keep residents safe in severe weather conditions. Use the radio to monitor live weather reports (for example, WGN, or WBBM radio), or use a trusted website or weather app of choice for continuous live radar reports.
TORNADOES
The majority of Illinois tornadoes have occurred between April 1 and June 30; however, tornadoes have occurred every month of the year at all hours of the day. Be alert for these danger signs: severe thunderstorms with frequent lightning, heavy rain, hail, roaring noise, funnel clouds, strong winds, and power failure. The local branch of the National Weather Service will issue severe weather bulletins to the local authorities and local TV and radio stations. Chicago is located in Cook County.
Tornado Watch: A “watch” indicates that conditions are conducive to the development of a tornado.
Tornado Warning: A “warning” indicates that a tornado has been detected and may be approaching. If a tornado warning is issued, or the city warning sirens have been activated, take the following precautions:
-
Seek shelter immediately in the lower levels of the building or an internal hallway; stay away from windows and glass enclosures
-
Use only stairwells; DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
-
Remain in the sheltered area until the “all clear” is communicated by hall staff
-
Cooperate fully with university staff, who have the safety of residents as their first priority
THUNDERSTORMS
If thunder is heard, immediately proceed to the closest indoor location, because no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. Everyone should stay indoors until the storm has safely passed.
- Unplug appliances and other electrical items, such as computers, and turn off air conditioners; power surges from lightning can cause serious damage
- Avoid showering, bathing, washing hands, doing dishes or laundry; plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity
- Close window blinds, shades, and curtains
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches
- Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls
- DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
- Go to the area instructed by Housing or Public Safety staff members
Emergency Campus Notification System
The Emergency Campus Notification System and DePaul University (DPU) Alert are two independent notification systems utilized to alert and notify students, faculty, and staff of an emergency situation on campus.
The Emergency Campus Notification System alerts students, faculty, staff, and visitors through indoor speakers. The speakers are strategically positioned throughout the university on the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses. The speakers will sound an audio message of the event and the next steps.
DPU Alert
DPU Alert is an emergency communication system that immediately attracts the attention of students, faculty and staff where they are most reachable. In an emergency situation that affects the university, DPU Alert will contact cellphones through text messaging, voicemail, and email. It is strongly recommended that all DePaul students, faculty and staff sign up for DPU Alert. To sign up to receive DPU Alert, access Campus Connect, go to Profile, then DPU/Academic Alert. The webpage will ask for the following information:
- Student's email address
- Student's phone number with the option to receive a text message, a voice message or both
SHELTER IN PLACE
Shelter in place may be implemented when a situation occurs that may be hazardous to health or life-threatening. It is used to keep students, faculty, staff and visitors inside a building rather than exposing them to possible harm by allowing them to leave a building. For example, severe weather can trigger a shelter in place, securing the building population while keeping the building open for entry.
FIRE DRILLS
Student housing and public safety monitor all fire alarm evacuations throughout the year. DePaul’s alarms are connected to the Public Safety department. Under normal drill and alarm conditions, all residents must immediately evacuate from the residence halls. Residents who fail to leave their rooms or apartments during a fire drill may face disciplinary action.