One of the most common questions parents ask is whether their student will be safe on college campus. At University of the Pacific, we make every effort to keep students safe and we always look for improvements.
Pacific is one of just two private universities in California whose public safety officers have the same powers and authority as any city, county or state law enforcement officers. Our Department of Public Safety operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
When visiting our campus, you might see Pacific safety officers during their routine patrols. They are always happy to talk to you and your student. In case of emergency, they can also be reached through a network of Blue Light Phones placed indoors and outdoors throughout the campus.
“Several of the officers and dispatchers on my team are parents as am I,” said Grant Bedford, Pacific’s Executive Director of Safety and Security. “I have raised my family, including three children, just a couple of miles from campus. Pacific officers protect the students of this campus like our own kids.”
An important part of Pacific’s public safety efforts on the Stockton Campus is our unique STRIPE Transport and Escort Service staffed by trained and uniformed Pacific students. They patrol campus and provide safety escorts during late evening hours. If a student feels apprehensive walking to their dorm or car after dark, they can text STRIPE at 209.624.8747 for assistance.
Pacific’s Public Safety regularly surveys the campus for potential safety hazards such as missing lights. Together with the Physical Plant Department they are responsible for locking and unlocking campus facilities which are generally all locked in the evening. Doors to student housing facilities remain locked at all times and are accessible only by key or swipe card.
Because Pacific’s Public Safety is in fact a branch division of Stockton Police Department (SPD), our officers patrol and respond to emergencies on and near the campus. They also have access to all SPD crime reports and can continually monitor criminal conduct at all off‐campus student organization events and all off‐campus student organization housing facilities within the City of Stockton.
“People don't often think of Stockton as a big city; however, we are larger than St. Louis, MO, Pittsburgh PA, or Cincinnati, OH,” said Bedford. “We have the same challenges as other big cities. You know there are places where you should feel safe and other places where you shouldn't go. Stockton is no different. Students need to be aware of their surroundings and be smart about where they go off campus.”
Crime prevention and personal safety education are important aspects of Pacific’s Public Safety service. The officers regularly connect with the Pacific students, staff and faculty on several platforms:
- First‐year and transfer students and their families can attend a public safety information session during orientation each year.
- The Officer Liaisons regularly visit residence hall students and collaborate with housing staff and Police officers to evaluate needs to the residence halls, educate and enhance communications.
- Crime prevention tips are posted on Pacific Public Safety webpage and Facebook @PacificPoliceStk.
- They host a campus safety and security committee meetings each semester to report on the campus and community safety.
Visit Pacific’s Public Safety webpage to learn more about their services.
Share with your student: Safety tips on and off campus.
