Students, faculty, staff and visitors are strongly encouraged to accurately and promptly report all criminal and suspicious activity, and any emergency occurring on Harvard’s Clery Geography, to the HUPD, or the appropriate police agency. Reports may be made on behalf of another, when, for example, the victim of a crime elects to or is unable to make such a report. Timely reporting of information assists us in intervening in potential criminal activity and apprehending suspects. Please do not delay in calling. Criminal offenses should be reported to HUPD promptly so that the Department can determine whether a Timely Warning notice is necessary and so that the information can be included in the crime log and the annual disclosure of crime statistics.
To reach the HUPD in an emergency, call 617-495-1212. Community members are strongly encouraged to store 617-495-1212 into their cell phone contacts.
If a community member calls 911 from an on-campus phone, the call will go to either the Cambridge Police or the Boston Police depending on their location.
If a community member calls 911 from an on-campus phone, the call will go to either the Cambridge Police or the Boston Police depending on their location. As the HUPD maintains a good working relationship with both departments, they will generally inform the HUPD of the 911 call. Community members who call 911 from a cell phone will be connected with the Massachusetts State Police, which then will transfer the call to the appropriate jurisdiction, unless the incident occurred on state-owned property (the area around the Charles River and the Fenway).
What Is Suspicious?
Signs of behavior that might be suspicious:
- A person attempting to "piggyback", or enter a residence without the proper access card
- A person running and looking about furtively, as if they were being watched or chased
- A person carrying property, especially computers or other electronic equipment, office machinery, or a locked bicycle at an unusual hour or location
- A person going door-to-door in an office building or a residential area
- A person pulling on bicycles or tampering with locks near a bike rack
- A person combing through open packages in the lobby of a building
- A person forcibly entering a locked vehicle or building
- Transactions conducted from vehicles, especially near schools or parks. You may be witnessing an illegal drug sale or sale of stolen property.
- One or more persons sitting in a parked car closely scanning the area
- A person, especially a juvenile, being forced into a vehicle
- A person exhibiting significant emotional or physical distress
- Unusual noises, including gunshots, screaming, sounds of fighting, barking dogs, or anything suggesting foul play, danger, or illegal activity
It is important to remember that people aren't suspicious, behavior is. When in doubt, call! If you witness any suspicious activity, call the HUPD immediately at 617-495-1212.
