Safety

The area around Harvard is generally quite safe, but incidents do happen on occasion. It is a good rule of thumb to treat the area immediately surrounding the Yard as you would any busy metropolitan district. Don't walk alone after dark; have someone accompany to your car and check briefly in and around it before getting in; be aware of your surroundings; keep keys handy and valuables secure; maintain the confident demeanor of someone with a purpose wherever you go. Most importantly, consult the array of literature available at Harvard University Police Department (see below) on how to stay safe in the Cambridge and Boston areas.

Under the leadership of Director Francis D. "Bud" Riley, the Harvard University Police and Security Department (HUPD; 495-1212) is a professional police and security agency, comprised of police officers, security guards, and student security personnel.

There are many Blue Light emergency phones located throughout the Harvard campus. The phones, identified by a namesake blue light, provide direct and immediate connection to the Harvard University Police Department, which will dispatch help to the location of the phone. The University-wide, gray Centrex phones, such as those outside of many dorms, have an emergency button which also connects to HUPD.

If you see suspicious behavior or strangers, call HUPD directly or by a 24-hour automated voice mail system (496-2700) for anonymous crime reporting of criminal or suspicious activity. Since this line is anonymous, it is important that the information you provide be as detailed as possible.

To avoid walking alone (especially at night), take advantage of the such transportation options as the Evening Shuttle Van (495-0400), which operates from 7pm to 2:45am, seven days a week. Although incidents are rare, it is best to be cautious. Consult the Transportation section of the Survival Guide for more information.