UMD Advisory: Information on how to recognize a scam
Dear Campus Community, We write to you to make you aware of various scams that have been reported in our area. There are different methods a scammer will use to contact a potential victim. The scammer may call, send an email or might even approach the potential victim in person. The goal of the scammer is to use fear or pity to try to convince the potential victim to comply with the scammer’s demands. For example: If someone you don’t know mails you a check or approaches you in person and asks you to cash a check for them; don’t. It’s a scam. If someone you don’t know asks you to cash a check and use a wire transfer service to send the money back to them after cashing the check for them; don’t. It’s a scam. You receive a call from a scammer claiming to be from a government agency (federal, state, or local) and you need to make a payment in order to avoid being jailed, deported, fined, or that you owe taxes; or a family member is in need of help or tech-support and they demand gift cards in the form of payment; don’t. It’s a scam. Important things to remember:
UMD Advisory: See Something, Say Something - Report Suspicious Activity
Dear Campus Community, You may be aware that suspicious packages were sent to various locations along the east coast over the past few days. The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) has no reason to believe that the University of Maryland campus is a target. Our Explosives Detection K-9 Unit and Patrol Officers continue to patrol our campus community and remain vigilant. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has released a statement and can be viewed here. What we know is that between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at various locations along the east coast. All of the packages involved had the same return address located in Florida, and contained potentially destructive devices. A picture of the device available from a news site can be viewed here.
10/24/18 UMD Safety Notice
INCIDENT: Voyeur Incident OCCURRED: October 23, 2018/ Approximately 8:10 p.m. LOCATION: 4300 Block of Rowalt Drive near Guilford Drive UMPD CASE #: 2018-60383 BRIEF DETAILS: On October 23, 2018, at approximately 8:21 p.m., the University of Maryland Police Department was notified about a voyeur incident that occurred in the 4300 block of Rowalt Drive near Guilford Drive. A female student reported to police that at approximately 8:10 p.m., a male was seen looking through an apartment window. Officers responded and searched for the male, but could not locate the individual. A video review of the cameras in the area is underway. Officers continue to patrol the area for the suspect. The University of Maryland Police Department, Criminal Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation. Individuals with any information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact police at 301-405-3555. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may email http://www.umpd.umd.edu/contact/anonymous_tip.cfm .
UMPD to participate in the DEA’s Drug Take Back event
UMPD and DEA taking back unwanted prescription drugs October 27 at Pocomoke Building College Park, MD – On Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) and the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 16th opportunity in eight years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Pocomoke Building at 7569 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last spring Americans turned in nearly 475 tons (949,046 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,700 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 10 million pounds—nearly 5,000 tons—of pills.
UMD Annual Safety and Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report
Working Together for a Safe Campus The 2018 Annual Safety and Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for your review. The Annual Security Report (ASR) provides safety and security information to current and prospective students and their parents, as well as to faculty and staff members. Statistics comparing crime over the previous three years are outlined in the report. In addition to outlining the different security resources the campus has to offer, the report also includes statistics on crime that occurred where University students stay while on University-sponsored travel, traveling within the United States or abroad, area crime reported to off-campus law enforcement agencies as well as to several University departments that report data back to our Police Department. As you look over the statistics for 2017, you will see there are two murders reported. The first was the murder of 2nd Lt. Richard Collins, III, in which an arrest was made shortly thereafter. The accused is charged with murder and a hate crime and is expected to go to trial in January 2019.
UMPD Investigating Hate Bias Incident at South Campus Commons #7
On September 23, 2018, at approximately 5:30 p.m., UMPD responded to South Campus Commons #7 for a hate bias incident that occurred on September 22, 2018, between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. A student reported to police that they left their apartment to run an errand and returned to find non-inclusive, anti-LGBTQ language written on their bedroom wall. A detective has been assigned to investigate this incident and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion was notified. ###
UMPD Investigating Hate Bias Incident at Technology Advancement Program (TAP) Building
On September 26, 2018, at approximately 1:16 p.m., UMPD responded to the Technology Advancement Program (TAP) building for a hate bias incident. An employee reported to police that they found a phrase that involves offensive language against the African American community written in pencil on the men’s bathroom stall wall. It is unknown as to how long the phrase has been there for. A picture was taken of the writing and it was removed. The property was not damaged.