Chief, Georgia Tech Police Department 

Georgia Tech places the highest priority on providing a safe and secure environment for the students, staff, faculty, and visitors of our community. With the support of the Institute, the Georgia Tech Police Department is an accredited law enforcement agency with over 90 sworn officers dedicated to the safety and security of the campus and surrounding community. Additional support is provided by civilian public safety officers, dispatch officers, emergency management staff, and office administrative staff, including a full-time crime analyst.

We know that many of you are concerned about crime in Atlanta, and how it may affect your student. Please be assured that we are continually monitoring situations and events that have the potential to impact safety on campus. We are committed to proactively addressing and communicating safety concerns to ensure the Georgia Tech community remains safe and secure.

A crime log, crime statistics, crime map and our most recent Annual Safety Report are readily available on our website: police.gatech.edu. You can also read more about our department and our programs there, as well as transparency into how our department works.

We encourage you to contact us directly to discuss your concerns. For general questions, please send an email to crimeprevention@police.gatech.edu. I can be reached directly at Robert.Connolly@police.gatech.edu.

Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day on foot, bicycle, car, and ATV (sometimes with a K-9 companion) – but it is important to remember we are located in a large, urban environment. Whether your student is just beginning their college experience or returning to Tech, they should understand and embrace the following tips to reduce the chance of being a victim of crime.

Personal Safety

• We strongly encourage your student to download LiveSafe, a powerful and free safety app for mobile phones, selected by Georgia Tech students. Features include “GoSafe,” which invites roommates, friends, and family to virtually follow students as they travel from one location to another (particularly helpful after a late-night studying session), and anonymous reporting.
• In an emergency, students can contact GTPD quickly through LiveSafe or by calling 404.894.2500. We encourage students to program this number into their cell phones, in addition to downloading the LiveSafe app.
• If a suspicious or armed person demands their property, we tell students to comply with the request, then immediately seek police assistance. There are more than 500 emergency “blue” phones located inside and outside buildings throughout the campus.
• GTPD provides a variety of free training and safety classes including self-defense, alcohol safety, mental health first aid, civilian response to active shooter, and emergency preparedness. 
• All residence halls have key or secure-card entry. Students should be wary of anyone who attempts entry to a residence hall without these items. Housing staff are on duty 24 hours a day if students lose their keys.
• When not in their room, or when asleep, students should keep all doors and windows locked.

Crime Prevention Tips

• The most common crimes on campus are thefts of opportunity. Students should never walk away from their belongings or leave them unsecured.
• The most commonly stolen items are bicycles. Purchase a good quality U-lock to secure bicycles (and a good quality bicycle helmet as well). Georgia Tech is located in an urban area, and cyclists are required to ride the roads and obey all motor vehicle laws.
• GTPD offers many free services including laptop engraving and bicycle registration, to help the recovery process in the event of theft. 
• Cybertheft is on the rise. Students should report to GTPD any kind of online, unsolicited demand for money or investment “opportunity,” especially from someone who claims to represent the U.S. government. 
• If students see anything suspicious, they should contact the GTPD immediately. We’re happy to investigate any cause for concern.
• Students who have vehicles on campus should remove or hide all valuables to help prevent break-ins. Leaving any items in plain view — GPS devices, laptops, purses, spare change, books, and gym bags — increases the risk for a vehicle break-in.

Other Safety Measures

• Students are required to enter emergency contact information on Buzzport. Have them log in at buzzport.gatech.edu and click on the red phone icon.
• GT Parking & Transportation Services provides after-hours transport options, including the Midnight Rambler and the Stingerette, so students do not have to walk on campus after dark. Students can request Stingerette rides through the LiveSafe app. 
• Students can call GTPD for an escort home if campus transportation has ended for the day and they feel unsafe walking alone. 
• The Georgia Tech Counseling Center offers stress management and wellness workshops, as well as free counseling and emergency services for students.
• Campus-wide emergency alerts are delivered through an outdoor siren warning system and to classrooms through computers and projectors that are connected to the campus computer network. In addition, the Georgia Tech Emergency Notification System (GTENS) alerts students to campus-wide emergencies via campus email. Students can opt into additional voice and text messages by registering at Buzzport. Parents can watch for GTENS notifications through Twitter @GTPDalerts.
• GTPD collaborates with the Atlanta Police Department to increase public safety around the campus perimeter.

You can learn earn much more about campus safety by talking with an officer, exploring our website police.gatech.edu, and following GTPD on Facebook facebook.com/GaTechPD, Instagram @GaTechPD, and Twitter @GaTechPD. GTPD’s Office of Emergency Management provides emergency information and updates through prepare.gatech.edu, Facebook facebook.com/GTEmergency and Twitter @GTPD alerts.

The men and women of the Georgia Tech Police Department are dedicated to campus safety 24/7/365. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason. We look forward to a safe and productive year!