Safety Information
Personal safety and property security are everyone’s responsibility at Wake Forest University. The WFUPD urges all members of the university community to participate in making our campus as safe as possible. By developing good security habits, you can assist us in safeguarding your property and university property.
No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects.
The following suggestions may reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime and increase opportunities to receive prompt assistance.
- Report suspicious persons or criminal activity by calling WFUPD at 336.758.5911 or submitting the Silent Witness Form.
- Download the Wake Safe app.
- Visit the Wake Alert website to sign up for alerts and stay up-to-date on information during an emergency.
- Familiarize yourself with the Emergency (blue light) phone locations around campus.
- Keep your car doors and windows locked at all times.
- Use locks on lockers and bicycles.
- Register Register your personal property with the University Police to discourage theft.
- Attend crime prevention programs.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Walk in groups, stay in well-lit areas, and consider taking the University Shuttle.
- Download the Wake Safe app to your cellphone.
- Use Friend Walk (a peer-to-peer tool). Invite friends and family to temporarily follow your location on a real-time map. They will see your approximate location as you walk to your destination and will know when you get there safely.
- Consider not using headphones.
- While you may enjoy listening to music while running or walking, headphones limit your ability to hear what is going on in your surroundings.
- Keep your doors and windows locked.
- Be cautious about secure areas.
- Do not let anyone follow you into a secured area without checking their ID. Let them use their own Deacon OneCard or key to enter.
- Enroll in personal safety and security programs.
- University Police frequently offer security training, such as the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course, which is available to women through the University’s course registration system.
- Avoid displaying and carrying large sums of money.
- Only carry a credit card and/or Student ID card. If you must carry items like purses, wallets, backpacks, or other valuables, carry them close to your body and keep wallets inside a pocket.
- Avoid isolated or dark areas and stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Always travel with a charged cell phone available to call for help.
- If you are the victim of a robbery
- If you are confronted, cooperate. Give the criminal the property that he/she asks for — wallet, keys, jewelry, credit cards, and electronics. Your life is more valuable than possessions that can be replaced. Don’t make sudden moves or try to apprehend or fight with the criminal. Concentrate on remembering the suspect’s description and call the police immediately. Your safety is most important. Do what the robber says and don’t try to negotiate. If the suspect claims he/she has a gun, knife, or other weapon in his pocket, believe them.
Wake Safe is a free personal mobile application for Wake Forest University students, staff, faculty, visitors, and surrounding community members to engage in a two-way conversation with Wake Forest University police.
The Watch For Me NC website offers helpful advice concerning pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety.
Wake Forest University strives to maintain a safe community for its students, faculty, staff, and neighbors. As an added precaution during late-night hours, gatehouses were built at the Reynolda Road and University Parkway entrances.
WFUPD security staff the gatehouses and monitor traffic from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. The Polo Road entrance will be closed during gatehouse hours.
Visitors
Anyone without proper identification will be stopped at the gatehouses and drivers will be asked for their name and destination.
Related Pages
The Wake Forest University Police Department is concerned about your safety while you are on campus and while studying abroad. The following links provide information on travel safety for students studying abroad.
Abroad Travel Safety
- Be aware of pickpockets; petty theft is common among students
- Avoid underage and excessive alcohol consumption
- Don’t import, purchase, use, or have drugs in your possession
- Obey the local laws
- Only use licensed and regulated taxis
- Do not carry weapons
- Avoid participating in demonstrations and other political activities
- Be safe and secure in your residence
- Practice ATM security
- Be conscious of your verbal and non-verbal behavior
If you have a problem:
- Call the WFU Police collect at 336.758.5591 or if you cannot call, Email: police@wfu.edu
- Call the local U.S. Embassy Consular. Obtain the number prior to traveling by visiting the Travel.State.Gov website.
- If you are arrested, cooperate with local authorities and ask to call the U.S. Embassy
- Additional tips and information can be found at WAKE Alert.
Additional information about crime prevention and safety can be found on the Wake Alert website