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Public Safety Office

Brown University Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an internationally-accredited police agency responsible for the safety and security of more than 10,000 students, staff, faculty, and guests. With a jurisdiction including all University property and adjacent city streets, the department is responsible for 250 buildings over an area in excess of 140 acres.

The DPS Communication and Information Center is located at Faunce House Arch, 75 Waterman Street. The phone number is (401) 863-3322 and the TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) number is (401) 863-1740. It is open and staffed by Communication control officers 24 hours a day. Communication control officers are responsible for answering all emergency and non-emergency calls for service, and dispatching officers to the appropriate locations for response.

Police and security officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week in patrol vehicles and on foot. Please do not hesitate to approach an officer if you are lost or need assistance. If you are living off campus, please call the Providence Police Department for emergency response by dialing 911.

Department of Public Safety headquarters is located at 75 Charlesfield Street. Their offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the academic year, and 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. during the summer session. The phone number for the administrative offices is (401) 863-3103.

DPS provides many services for students, including:

  • Rave Guardian: This opt-in cell phone speed-dial option for students, faculty, and staff allows DPS to respond to panic calls and precautionary timer alarms activated by those registered with the service.
  • Safewalk: A student-run safety service providing on-campus point-to-point walking escorts for Brown community members. Each two-person escort team also patrols the campus, acting as additional eyes and ears for campus safety. The teams can be identified by their distinctive neon vests and photo I.D.s. This service is available Sunday-Thursday, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., during the academic year.
  • Operation I.D. Program/Bicycle and Laptop Registration Program: This nationally-recognized property identification program open to all members of the Brown community to help deter the thefts and aid in the recovery of stolen property
  • R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Systems Basic Self-Defense Course: A comprehensive 12-hour self-defense course teaching women how to develop and enhance the options of self-defense so that they may become viable considerations in an attack.
  • Special Victims Unit: Advocacy and support services, including safety planning, court accompaniment, assistance with obtaining protective orders, review of victim’ rights, and women’s self-defense programming.
  •  “Know More!” Crime Awareness Brown Bag Workshop Series: DPS staff provide safety awareness presentations on a range of topics, including personal safety awareness, home burglary prevention, and stalking awareness.
  • Residence Security Assessments: DPS offers home security assessments for graduate students living nearby in off-campus housing. For more information, please call the DPS Crime Prevention Unit.
  • Card Access: A campus-wide card-access system has been installed in all residence halls and in several administrative buildings on campus. There is 24-hour monitoring of the system, and an officer is dispatched if a door is propped or held open too long or is forced open. As with all technology, the system is not infallible, and students are advised to remain vigilant and to make sure that doors are closed and locked behind them.
  • Emergency Phones: There are approximately 134 outdoor emergency phones located on or near the exterior of all residence halls and most university buildings. They are also located on the campus walkways, at the parking garage, and additionally there are 45 elevator phones in various campus buildings. View a campus map with emergency phone locations. Outdoor emergency phones are housed in gray or yellow plastic cases, are mounted directly to buildings or stanchions, and have a blue light above them. These phones can be used for calling within the University phone system and have a direct speed calling button (marked in red) with an automatic identifier so that a DPS communications officer will know your locations when the call is answered. When getting acquainted with the campus, try to note the locations of these phones.