Training Exercise on 7/29/16
On Friday, July 29, 2016, the Office of Emergency Management will conduct a training exercise at Maryland Stadium. The purpose of this training exercise is to safely evacuate fans out of the stadium and into nearby buildings/structures. As some may recall, on September 12, 2015, we encountered a weather emergency during a home football game. There was a storm heading our way that included lightning, which led to the evacuation of our football stadium. This was the first time in our history that we had to evacuate fans out from the stadium during a football game. The training exercise is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. and will end at approximately 3:30 p.m., weather dependent. During this exercise, a small portion of Stadium Drive will be blocked off between the north entrance of Stadium Drive Garage and parking lot Q. The service road that wraps around the stadium will also be blocked off to vehicles and pedestrians. There will be staff on site to help with alternative routes during the course of the exercise. Once the exercise has ended, the roadways will re-open. ###
Chief of Police Summary of May 21, 2016 Incident at The Courtyards
Chief of Police Summary of May 21, 2016 Incident at The Courtyards Summary of Incident On May 21, 2016 at 1:46 a.m., the University of Maryland Police Department, Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call, routed through Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications Center, regarding a fight at the 8500 block of Boteler Lane at The Courtyards Apartments. Officers approached the apartment, and a female resident answered the door and explained that a graduation celebration was taking place. The officers advised the resident and partygoers, who were primarily African American, of the report of fighting inside the apartment and the possible use of a baseball bat. The residents refuted the claim, and initially resisted efforts of the officers to enter the premises.
Update to 7/12/16 Armed Robbery Incidents on Campus
On July 12, 2016, at approximately 9:20 p.m., UMPD received a call for a robbery that occurred outside, in front of Tydings Hall. As our officers were searching the area for the suspect in this case, we received two additional reports of robbery. At approximately 9:08 p.m., the first robbery occurred near Tydings Hall, on the McKeldin Mall side. A weapon was implied. The victim complied with the suspect’s demand and handed over his property to the suspect. At approximately 10:12 p.m., the second robbery occurred near Queen Anne’s Hall. And at approximately 10:15 p.m., the third robbery occurred near Queen Anne’s Hall. A black handgun was seen in these two incidents and property was taken. In total, we had three reports. There were four victims all together. Three of the four victims are UMD students. None of the victims were injured. Our officers searched the area but were not able to locate the suspect.
Off-Campus UMD Safety Notice 7/10/16
Please visit http://www.umpd.umd.edu/stats/safety_notices_offcampus_detail.cfm?id=807 for information regarding an off-campus 4th degree sex offense (unlawful touching) that occurred on 07/08/16. The Prince George's County Police Department is the primary reporting agency and is conducting the investigation. ###
Off-Campus UMD Safety Notice 07/06/16
Please visit http://www.umpd.umd.edu/stats/safety_notices_offcampus_detail.cfm?id=806 for information regarding an off-campus burglary that occurred on 07/06/16. The Prince George's County Police Department is the primary reporting agency and is conducting the investigation. ###
Off-Campus UMD Safety Notice 06/14/16
Please visit http://www.umpd.umd.edu/stats/safety_notices_offcampus_detail.cfm?id=805 for information regarding an off-campus robbery that occurred on 06/13/16. The Prince George's County Police Department is the primary reporting agency and is conducting the investigation.
Open Letter from Chief Mitchell
The incident that occurred at the Courtyards on the morning of May 21 has created distress and anguish among the students affected and within our broader community. Longstanding UMPD policy automatically requires an internal investigation in any case that involves the deployment of pepper spray. That review process, currently underway, is governed by clear procedures and could take up to 30 days to complete. When this administrative investigation is complete, the findings and video from the body cameras worn by officers during the incident will be released. As we prepare for release, protecting the privacy of minors and students involved is a preeminent consideration. The question of the appropriateness of the use of pepper spray will not be resolved until the conclusion of the full investigation, and so I must withhold specific comment at this time. The deployment of pepper spray is a rare occurrence, just ten times in the last five years.