Reporting a Crime

Effective law enforcement involves a cooperative effort on the part of each member of the entire University community. Because of this, all victims of or witnesses to a crime on campus are strongly encouraged to report the crime immediately to the WUPD, by coming in person to the department, by dialing 935-5555, or by using a Blue Light Emergency Telephone. Victims of or witnesses to off-campus crimes are strongly encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately to report the crime. 

When a criminal incident is reported to the WUPD, a formal police report is prepared. The offense is classified according to guidelines set by F.B.I. Uniform Crime Reporting Section, U.S. Department of Justice. 

Each day, the WUPD makes available on its Web site and in the Police Department Lobby, a Media Log  that lists the date, time, location, and description of criminal incidents that occur on campus.  This information is routinely published in the student campus newspaper, Student Life,  and the faculty and staff newspaper, The Record.

WUPD issues a Crime Alert when a serious crime may pose a threat to members of the University community or when it otherwise appears that such an alert may enhance safety and security for members of the community. Alerts may be posted, mailed, faxed, or e-mailed, depending on the circumstances. In addition, the WUPD uses an e-mail notification system to alert students to serious off-campus crimes occurring in neighborhoods adjacent to the Danforth Campus. 

If you are the victim of a crime or a witness to one, you should do the following:

1. Call Police immediately. If on West Campus, North Campus, South Campus, Lewis Center, Music Center or off campus dial 9-1-1 for the municipal police. You also may use Blue Light Emergency Telephones at West Campus, North Campus, in University City, or in the Skinker/DeBaliviere neighborhoods to contact local police through 9-1-1. You may remain anonymous if you wish. If on campus, call University police at 5-5555, or use the blue light emergency telephone system —phones are marked by the bright blue light on top. The University Police will know your exact location and will dispatch help. University Police will respond to any request for assistance. 

2. Obtain Description. Attempt to obtain a description of the offender(s), including gender, age, race, hair, clothing, and distinguishable features. Also attempt to obtain a description and license number of any vehicle(s) involved. Note the direction of any offender(s) and report these to police. 

3. Preserve the Crime Scene. Do not touch any items involved in the incident. Close off the area of the incident and do not allow anyone in the crime scene until police arrive. 

4. Consider counseling. Consider contacting the Student Counseling Service at 935-5980. The counseling service may be able to help ease the trauma you may feel as a victim of a crime. 

Confidential and Anonymous Reporting

While the university urges the campus community to contact the WUPD or Protective Services, an individual may wish to submit a confidential report or remain, at times, anonymous and separate from the university’s judicial or law enforcement process. If you are the victim of or witness to a crime and do not want to file a report directly with WUPD or Protective Services, you may still
want to consider making a confidential or anonymous report through the Silent Witness program, available at www.police.wustl.edu. The program uses an encrypted server to maintain anonymity.

To submit a confidential report on the Medical Campus for a crime that has already been committed, you may call the “Campus Watch Hotline” at (314) 362-0381
to leave a recorded voice message or you may also submit a “Campus Watch Hotline” Report Form online on the Protective Services Department’s website at
wusmproserv.wustl.edu.

While the university may be limited in its ability to respond to such confidential and/or anonymous reports submitted to WUPD or Protective Services in this
manner, the incidents and crimes reported are included in the university’s disclosure of its annual crime statistics if applicable.

The university also encourages professional or pastoral counselors to provide victims and witnesses the above information on reporting crimes on a voluntary,
confidential basis to WUPD or Protective Services, if and when the counselor deems it appropriate, for inclusion in the university’s annual disclosure of crime
statistics.

Special Circumstances 

Sex Crimes
If you are a sex crime victim, report it to the police immediately. Preserve the physical evidence. Do not bathe, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing. If you are the victim of a rape or other sex crime, you should seek medical treatment immediately, regardless of whether you report the matter to the police. (See Sexual Assault and Other Sex Crimes) 

Bomb Threats 
If you know of a bomb threat, immediately contact WUPD at 935-5555. Notify your supervisor, department head, or Resident Advisor, and wait for further instructions. If the threat was by telephone, write down as much information about the call as you can remember.  The WUPD provides a Bomb Threat Checklist to assist in the collection of information on telephone threats.  To obtain a copy, contact the Crime Prevention Office at (314) 935-5084.

Indecent Exposure 
Exposing one¹s self is a crime in Missouri. If you observe someone doing this, contact the WUPD at 935-5555. If off campus, call the municipal police. 

Reporting Suspicious Person(s)

If you see any suspicious activity or person(s) on or near the University campus, immediately call the WUPD at 935-5555 or from any Blue Light Emergency Telephone to report what you have seen. 

Do not assume that what you see is innocent activity or that another individual has already reported it to the police. Do not worry about being embarrassed; rather, think about what could happen if you do not act. 

When should suspicious behavior be reported to the police? 

Call police if you observe someone exhibiting any of the following examples of behaviors:

• Persons loitering around offices, classrooms, laboratories, etc., but who do not appear to be going anywhere specific 


• Persons in the parking area, loitering at or near vehicles, who do not appear to be walking toward any particular vehicle or building 


• Persons looking into office areas, storage rooms, or student areas, or persons going room to room trying doorknobs


• Persons who open your dorm room door without knocking, then leave when they see it¹s occupied 


• Persons loitering at unusual hours or locations 


• Persons running from or in a building or carrying property that seems suspicious


• Persons loitering in parking lots, garages, or stairwells 

• Vehicles that are slowly moving through parking areas that have vacant parking spaces 


• Vehicles occupied by one or more persons that are parked in outlying parking areas away from the buildings or streets 


• Vehicles that are parked near buildings after campus buildings are closed 

• Open or broken doors or windows 


• Person who attempts to hide face from view 


• Person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms 


• Person who appears to be having a difficult time or spends a long time unlocking a bicycle
  

• Tell the stalker to leave you alone clearly and firmly and then end all communications.  Never negoriate with your stalker.
• Keep a log of incidents with the dates and time.
• Save any letters, e-mails, packages and gifts.
• Keep all addresses confidential, including your local address or residence hall, as well as your permanent address.
• Screen all calls with caller ID and answering machine.  Program your phone to refuse unidentified callers.  Save messages.
• Identify safe locations for emergencies.
• Inform your RA, RCD, family members, and/or trusted friends that you are being stalked.  Provide them a photo of the stalker if you have one.
• Report the incidents to the police, even if you are unsure about prosecution.
• Contact WUPD to obtain details and/or assistance with obtaining an Order of Protection.