This spring break, soak up the sun, not the stress, and keep your personal safety shining bright. If you’re celebrating, please do so responsibly and be respectful of those around you.
If you’re traveling, make safety a priority. The following tips can help protect your home and your belongings while you’re away:
Finding yourself in an active aggressor situation can cause extreme panic and disorientation. But if you know what to do ahead of time, your chances of surviving this type of emergency situation are greatly increased. This video describes the three types of classroom door locks across campus and how to use them. Watch the whole Surviving an Active Aggressor video online.
Safety is the university’s top priority and Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), CampusParc, Transportation and Traffic Management (TTM) and the Department of Public Safety work together to offer services during the winter months to keep you safe. As snow and ice start to collect, FOD teams are dispatched to treat campus roadways and sidewalks. They remain on campus throughout the day and night treating and plowing as needed. CampusParc crews will also be on campus treating parking lots and garages, with garage rooftops remaining open, when possible.
The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) unveiled a new police substation today located on 11th Avenue just east of High Street. The substation will be the hub for officers from both OSUPD and the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) working in the University District neighborhood as part of the university’s joint patrol program.
A Buckeye Alert system test will occur January 22. Students, faculty and staff on all Ohio State campuses will receive a text message that will be clearly identified as a test.
First responders from across Central Ohio were recognized and celebrated during First Responder Night at The Ohio State University men’s hockey game against Michigan State. The evening highlighted the strong partnerships that help keep the Buckeye community safe, both on and off campus.
The Lantern covered the many resources offered by Ohio State for students living off-campus. Among the resources was joint patrol, a program that features four The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) officers partnered full-time with the Columbus Division of Police to patrol the off-campus University District.
"Our top priority is the safety of our campus community and we understand a majority of our students live in the immediate off-campus area," Dan Hedman told the outlet.
The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) welcomed three new officers to the division during a pinning ceremony on October 24, 2025. Alexis Guthrie, Caden Mosher and Josh Long were officially welcomed to OSUPD and celebrated by family, friends and colleagues. These three new officers bring the force closer to its authorized strength of 75 sworn police. In addition, OSUPD is supported by hundreds of non-sworn security, a 9-1-1 dispatch center and technology like surveillance cameras.
They roam the University District at night, wearing orange and white jackets, on a mission to help keep students safe.
Called Buckeye Block Watch, these non-sworn patrols operate as the university’s extra eyes and ears in the off-campus area to escort students home, report burnt-out street lights and overflow trash and call police if they see a crime happening.
Doug McGrew, director of Central Campus Security Services at Ohio State views the patrols as no different than protecting one of his own children.
This Halloween weekend, keep the costumes spooky but take your personal safety serious. If you celebrate, please do so responsibly and be respectful neighbors. Police recommend sticking with your friends. If you go out together, come home together.
On campus, make everyone use their Buck ID to swipe into residence halls and do not allow tailgaters. If you see something suspicious, report it to University Police by calling 614-292-2121. Off-campus, call the Columbus Division of Police at 614-645-4545. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.