University Police
Picture of the front of the University Police station

Crime Prevention

Community Programs and Crime Prevention

The Montclair State University campus is an open one. There are no protective boundaries that separate it from surrounding communities and highways. Although the University Police Officers are highly visible in providing for the safety and welfare of the university community, there are precautions that everyone should take to avoid becoming a potential target of crime. For example, traveling alone after dark to perimeter areas of the campus (such as distant lots or the Clove Road Apartments) is not a safe practice. For this reason, we encourage students and employees to walk with a friend or in a group or to take the Campus Shuttle Bus. The department provides a number of services to help prevent crime that include the following:

  • New Student and Resident Orientations – Students living on campus as well as commuting students, housing directors and assistants are made aware of topics and situations that might be encountered on the university campus. Topics include: Acquaintance Rape, Alcohol and Drug awareness, Theft Prevention, Emergency Campus Operations and Safety on Campus. Through Crime Prevention awareness, students living on and off campus learn ways and methods of how to minimize the chances of becoming the victim of a crime.
  • New Employee Orientation – Through orientation, new employees to the university are made aware of crime prevention methods and strategies that will be helpful in reducing the chances of becoming a victim of crime on and off campus. Topics include: Theft Prevention, Safety on Campus and Workplace Violence.
  • Bicycle Patrol – Along with heightened foot patrols and mobile units, University Police Officers on bicycle patrol increases awareness as well as visibility of officers.
  • Self-Defense Training – Offered by university police officers, this training is free and open to all members of the campus community. Training is offered periodically throughout the fall and spring semesters.  See News and Events section of our main web page for more details.
  • Crime Prevention – Through a variety of educational programs, crime prevention officers conduct panel discussions for classes, Residence Life, the Drop-in Center and Greek organizations. Topics include: Date/Acquaintance Sexual Assault, Auto and Property Theft, Personal Safety Issues, Emergency Campus Operations and Alcohol Awareness. Brochures and other literature are available at the University Police Headquarters atrium.
  • Operation ID – This program assists members of the campus community in properly marking their property by collecting serial and model numbers of valuables, and offers suggestions for safeguarding jewelry.
  • Security Survey Program – A crime prevention officer will survey any area on campus that members of the campus community believe may be unsafe and make detailed and realistic suggestions for improving safety.
  • Crime/Emergency Updates – Crime Prevention personnel and Command Staff provide the student newspaper, The Montclarion, with weekly police blotter information. Crime bulletins are also disseminated throughout campus via fliers, newsletters, electronic mail as well as other media sources. In addition, emergent alerts may be sent through campus email system, text messages, the main Montclair State news web postings, electronic signage, phone messages on the Campus Emergency line or other technology when appropriate. To inquire more knowledge about “Your Montclair State App,” please visit the RAVE Guardian app.

Many incidents on university campuses can be avoided if people take personal safety seriously. Precautions such as locking doors, walking in groups or taking the Campus Shuttle Bus at night and keeping valuables out of sight, are emphasized in student and employee orientation programs and reinforced throughout the year. To schedule a program for your group or organization on a variety of topics please contact us at msupolice@mikeshiner.com

Safety Tips

  • Be alert. Crime happens on campuses.
  • Be cautious. Do not treat every new person you meet as an old friend.
  • Lock doors and windows whenever you leave your residence hall or office.
  • Keep your purse, backpack or briefcase tightly closed and with you at all times.
  • Walk with others, especially at night. Use shuttle bus and escort services.
  • Do not bring valuables like irreplaceable jewelry to campus.
  • Take an exact inventory of all your possessions. Join Operation ID.
  • Report any and all suspicious activity to the University Police. Even small details can help build crime patterns.
  • Lock your car, activate the alarm system and consider purchasing a device to secure the steering wheel.
  • If you believe you are being followed, go to a well-lit area and call the University Police immediately.

Crime/Emergency/Confidential and Non-Emergency Reporting

All community members are encouraged to promptly report all campus related criminal incidents and other public safety related emergencies to University Police. For incidents requiring immediate attention, dial 973-655-5222 or use one of the “Blue Light” Emergency Phones located throughout campus. Non-emergency incidents may be reported by calling University Police at 973-655-5222.

University police also accept anonymous reports on their TIPS line at 973-655-8477 (TIPS) from any on-campus phone or via text messaging through the Rave E-Tips program. To utilize this system, all you have to do is text keyword “E-TIPS” a space and your message to 67283 from your cellular phone.

Anonymous report is also available through the RAVE Guardian app. When you would like to send a tip, open the Guardian safety app and click on the Emergency icon and then click on ‘Send a Tip’. You can report anything from bullying to a broken window to a hit and run.