Annual Crime and Fire Safety Report and initiatives to improve safety on and near campus

Every fall, Wake Forest announces its annual crime and fire safety report.  The 2016 report was announced to students, faculty and staff in an email on Sept. 26 and posted on the University Police Department’s website.

The crime and fire safety report contains extensive, detailed information regarding safety and security.  For instance, crime and fire statistics for the past three calendar years is available.  The statistics are for occurrences on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Wake Forest (including branch campuses); and on public property within or immediately adjacent to campus.  The fire statistics are for on-campus residence halls.

The report is compiled annually in compliance with standards set by the federal Clery Act, which determines which crime is to be reported.

While the information is easily accessed online, it is also available in printed form.  To obtain a printed copy, people may contact the University Police records office at 336-758-4566.

In other communications with the campus community, recently, Wake Forest has emphasized again that a top University priority is the safety and security of students.  The University has encouraged students and others to review personal safety and crime prevention tips on the University Police website, download the LiveSafe app customized for Wake Forest and take advantage of the University shuttle system that also offers an on-call shuttle.

The University Police Department announced in September a new initiative to inform the campus community about safety and security.  Called “StayaWAKE,” it is an off-campus safety awareness and education program led by members of the University Police Deacon Student Patrol.  The student patrol, recently, has been visiting off-campus areas where some students live to discuss safety and security issues.

In addition, the University announced that it is resuming this fall working in coordination with the Winston-Salem Police Department to bolster patrol of areas near campus.  The University Police Department contracts with off-duty Winston-Salem police officers to provide extra coverage of the campus perimeter from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. seven days a week.

The University Police Department also reminded students, faculty and staff to report any instances of crime or suspicious activity as they occur.  All are urged not to delay in reporting.

On campus, call the University Police Department at 336-758-5911 (or 911 from a University land line).  Off campus, call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 911.