“911, what’s your emergency?”
November 5, 2024
If you witness a crime, suspicious activity, or a medical emergency, call 911 so first responders can administer aid, provide resources, and gather information. Below are ways to get in touch with emergency response and how to report your emergency.
Reporting an emergency
Dial 911 right away if you need police, fire, or medical services. Here are some tips to remember when you make that call.
- Your call will either be routed to UMPD if you are on campus or the agency in the area you’re calling from, like the Minneapolis Police Department or the St. Paul Police.
- If the call isn’t answered immediately or if you hear silence, do not hang up or redial unless the silence lasts more than eight seconds.
- Briefly state the problem, answer the operator’s questions, and stay on the line until the operator ends the call.
- Provide as much information as possible like your exact location, medical histories, or definitive suspect descriptions.
Report non-emergencies (or crimes not in progress) to the Department of Public Safety at 612-624-COPS (2677). Read more about what to expect when reporting a crime.
Resources with response capability
- Along with calling or texting 911, both Apple and Android have special features to connect with first responders and emergency contacts on your cell phone.
- Blue light kiosks (sometimes called emergency phones) are located throughout campus on sidewalks and street corners, in buildings and parking garages, and along the Gopher Way. These kiosks are equipped with cameras monitored by DPS and they connect directly to the 911 dispatch.
- The Rave Guardian app is your virtual travel buddy if you must travel alone. You set your location and timer for your next destination and turn it off once you reach it. If your timer expires, your selected guardians and DPS will be alerted and DPS will dispatch someone to check on your welfare.
- Your location is only visible to DPS staff if your timer expires before you deactivate it.