SafeHome.org has recognized UMSL’s outstanding public safety record in its “2024 College Campus Crime Report and Statistics.” UMSL Police Department Captain Marisa Smith believes the awareness and cooperation of the UMSL community has helped the department maintain a safe campus. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis is dedicated to providing an environment where students can succeed and reach their full academic potential.

One part of that equation is peace of mind on campus. The university has worked diligently to maintain an outstanding public safety record through various means, including the UMSL Police Department’s CALEA accreditation and body-worn cameras and the Rave Guardian mobile app.

Earlier this month, SafeHome.org recognized UMSL’s efforts in this arena in its “2024 College Campus Crime Report and Statistics.” The organization ranked UMSL as the fifth safest campus in the country with a crime rate of just 0.07 per 1,000 students and a single on-campus crime annually.

UMSL Police Department Captain Marisa Smith attributes this success to the department’s connection with students, staff and faculty.

“The UMSL Police Department’s mission is to ensure that UMSL is a safe place where all people can live, work and pursue their educational endeavors,” Smith said. “We fulfill our duty with fully certified and vested law enforcement officers – dedicated to serving our campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We know that our officers cannot be effective without the support of our campus community. The awareness and cooperation of the UMSL community have assisted us with ensuring campus safety. We are pleased that our efforts to ensure UMSL is safe are recognized.”

SafeHome.org examined data from the U.S. Department of Education on violent and property crimes at more than 600 colleges and universities with enrollments of at least 5,000 students to develop its rankings.

Several of the safest schools listed in the report are community colleges with large contingents of commuter students or schools with no residential housing. The authors of the report posit this as a potential factor in low crime rates.

However, UMSL is one of three schools in the top 10, along with CUNY Hunter College and Long Island University, that offers on-campus housing for students and maintains an exemplary public safety record. Smith reiterated that this is possible through active communication with the UMSL community.

She added that the department is always ready to help at a moment’s notice.

“We strive to continue our relationship built on trust with our community,” Smith said. “We encourage all students, faculty and staff to download the Rave Guardian safety app, which offers functional speed dials to reach campus police and a safety timer that allows friends and family to act as virtual safety escorts. We are proud to be UMSL Police; please do not hesitate to call us.”