Habitats: Guide to On-Campus Living - Tufts University

S A F E T Y, S E C U R I T Y, A N D E M E R G E N C Y P R O C E D U R E S O N C A M P U S
The safety and security of residence hall students is a vital concern for the ORLL. It is
important for students to take responsibility for their own safety and well-being. Crime
Prevention is essentially being aware of one’s environment and avoiding those situations
that could make you vulnerable to crime.
T U F T S P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T ( T P D )
419 Boston Avenue, 617-627-3030 (Emergency Line x6-6911 from a campus phone
OR 617-627-6911 from an off-campus or wireless phone)
TPD is headquartered on the Medford/Somerville campus with stations also on the
Boston and Grafton campuses. The department is lead by the Senior Director of Public
and Environmental Safety. Tufts Police Officers are trained at state-recognized academies
and through on-going in-service and specialized programs. The Tufts police have strong
professional relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies. Cooperative programs
and information exchanges are on-going priorities. Through this reporting relationship,
TPD relays information to the university community on crimes that may pose a
threat to students or employees on any of the campuses.
Blue Light Telephones – Over 100 emergency blue light telephones are strategically
placed around campus, most generally located near residence halls and parking areas. They
are readily seen at night. Each telephone is wired directly to the Tufts police and police
officers can be dispatched when needed. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves
with the locations of such telephones.
Panic Buttons – Panic buttons are located in all of the residence halls. They are clearly
marked “Emergency” and should only be used when access to a telephone is impossible,
impractical or unsafe. If students are found responsible for activating a panic button for reasons
other than stated above, they may be subject to residential or university judicial consequences.
Please note: Panic Buttons ARE NOT used to alert TPD for room lockouts.
Personal Safety Education – The initial floor meetings conducted during the first weeks
of each academic year include discussions of basic personal safety issues. If students have any
questions or concerns, they should not hesitate to contact the ORLL or TPD at any time.
Building Security – Outside doors of the residence halls are locked 24 hours a day except
for South, Hill, Hodgdon, and Carmichael Halls. In the buildings stated, an entry door to
the building is unlocked during business hours to allow for access to the public areas of the
building, but doors to residential areas always remain locked.
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