Warning: Thieves want your electronic bikes and scooters
November 25, 2024
E-bikes and e-scooters are prime targets for thieves, and the UW campus in Seattle is no exception. From January to November 2024, 30 e-bikes and 40 e-scooters were reported stolen — 23 e-scooters in October alone.
If you’re an e-bike or e-scooter owner, there are several steps you can take to protect your ride.
1. If you can, bring your e-bike or e-scooter indoors
Check into getting access to a bike room, locker or house. Several UW buildings have secure bicycle rooms for use by building occupants, and most residence halls provide bicycle storage in designated bicycle rooms. Access to bike rooms in non-residential buildings should be coordinated through that building’s Building Coordinator. Access to residence hall bike rooms should be coordinated through Housing and Food Services or with the hall’s front desk.
2. Use two locks - and make one of them a U lock
Yes, this is inconvenient, but it can make it significantly tougher for thieves to take your e-bike. If you’re leaving your bike for an extended time, use a U lock and a chain lock. Lock your bike to a strong anchor, like a bike rack.
3. Take your battery with you
Thieves are less interested in a ride without the battery.
4. Register your e-bike or e-scooter
Register your e-bike or e-scooter with Bike Index. Knowing your serial number makes it easier to return your bike to you if it ever gets lost or stolen and then recovered. Recovery does happen! If your serial number has worn off or you never had a serial number, engrave an owner ID on your e-bike or e-scooter. Use an engraving tool to apply an owner ID, such as your driver’s license number (never use your social security number).
5. Install a GPS tracker
GPS trackers, like Tiles or Apple AirTags are small and easy to conceal. It improves the odds that law enforcement will be able to locate your e-bike or e-scooter if it’s stolen.
6. Report suspicious activity and theft
- If you see suspicious activity around bike racks, call 911. This is the most frequent way we catch thieves in the act.
- Make a police report when your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen. If your ride is stolen on campus, you can report online or call UWPD’s non-emergency number, 206-685-8973. If your e-bike or e-scooter is stolen in the City of Seattle, if it’s worth $500 or less, use the Seattle Police Department’s online form. If it’s worth more than $500, call the Seattle Police Department non-emergency line at 206-625-5011. You can also mark your e-bike or e-scooter stolen on Bike Index.
- Make an anonymous tip. If you know something about a crime, but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the UWPD on its tipline at 206-685-8477.
Public Comment Portal
November 6, 2024
The University of Washington Police Department is participating in the CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation process for its 6th reaccreditation. UWPD was first accredited by CALEA in 2005 and reaccredited in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2021. We are now in the process of achieving our 6th reaccreditation in 2025. As a part of this process, we provide an opportunity for public feedback via the CALEA Portal which can be located here: http://cimrs2.calea.org/600
The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding our compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for reaccreditation status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide our agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster our pursuit of professional excellence.
It is important to know that CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgement to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA® Accreditation.
Standard titles may be viewed on the CALEA website: Law Enforcement Standards Titles. UWPD is in the Tier I accreditation program which includes all 183 standards listed in bold.
For more information about the accreditation process, please contact the UWPD Accreditation Manager at 206-543-8469.
Husky Stadium theft update
September 11, 2024
During the early morning hours of Sept. 5, an area within Husky Stadium at the University of Washington was burglarized by two suspects. During the investigation, the University of Washington Police Department learned that several items belonging to the UW Athletics Department were stolen. Among the stolen items were 12 collegiate football championship rings from different universities.
Utilizing multiple resources, UWPD investigators were able to quickly identify the two suspects involved in the crime and recover several of the stolen items, including eight out of the 12 rings.
UWPD is currently seeking further assistance from the public regarding the outstanding four rings. The rings are described as KANSAS STATE RINGS.
If anyone has any information regarding the location of the rings, they are encouraged to contact the University of Washington Police Department at 206-685-8973.
UWPD August Blood Drive
July 25, 2024
The summer months are crucial for blood donation. Motor accidents are on the rise and there’s a critically low shortage of blood donors. Your blood donation is essential to trauma care. Help support local hospitals that treat thousands of emergency patients daily and schedule an appointment to give blood at UWPD on Friday, August 9th. To sign up, call 1-800-398-7888 or visit here.
As an added bonus, anyone who donates blood in the month of July and August can ENTER Bloodworks Northwest’s Sweepstake for a chance to win tickets to see Taylor Swift in Vancouver B.C.! For details, visit https://www.bloodworksnw.org/about/news/win
Walk-ins will be seen around scheduled donors, making an appointment is strongly encouraged.
May Blood Drive
May 28, 2024
Overnight, severe storms passed through Oklahoma and Texas, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more. Responding hospitals have exhausted all local Type O negative blood inventory and requested more units to support patient needs. Bloodworks Northwest is responding with a rush shipment of Type O negative blood to Texas as part of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC). As part of BERC, Bloodworks and 11 other on-call U.S. blood centers are shipping a combined total of 48 units of blood.
Please book an appointment to donate at the UW Police Department this Wednesday, May 29th, especially if you are a Type O donor. Type O negative is in critically short supply. You can sign up online (https://www.bloodworksnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/redirectgroup.html?s=085A) or call 1-800-368-7888.
As an added bonus, those who donate blood with Bloodworks NW in May can enter to win one of three $1000 gift cards! For details, visit: Donate & Win - Bloodworks Northwest (bloodworksnw.org)
UWPD May Blood Drive
May 8, 2024
It takes 1,000 blood donors each day to save lives across the Pacific Northwest. This spring, Bloodworks Northwest is touring together, from Bellingham, WA, to Eugene, OR, with one message: thank you. Hear the stories, feel the need, and discover the reasons why people choose to be 1 in 1,000: https://bloodworksnw.org/thankyou.
Join us in being a donor on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Closed 12:00 am to 12:45 pm), at the University of Washington Police Department! Secure your timeslot by calling 1-800-398-7888 or visit: https://www.bloodworksnw.org
Walk-ins will be seen around scheduled donors, making an appointment is strongly encouraged.
Prevent bike theft
March 12, 2024
When the weather warms up — we’re pretty sure that will happen someday — more UW students, faculty and staff enjoy commuting and exploring the campus by bike. Unfortunately, that usually means that the number of bike thefts grows, too.Even though we’re still feeling the wind chill, we’ve seen an earlier crop of bike thefts this year. In the first two months of the year, 15 UW community members have reported that their bike was stolen from someplace on campus.
Keeping your bike safe is important to us. Follow these best safety practices to keep your bike safe and ready for a spring ride.
1. Register and Identify
Register your bike. Knowing your serial number makes it easier to return your bike to you if it ever gets lost or stolen and then recovered. Recovery does happen!
If your serial number has worn off or the bike never had a serial number, engrave an owner ID on your bike. Use an engraving tool to apply an owner ID, such as your driver’s license number (never use your social security number). Engraving tools can be borrowed from the UWPD. Call 206-543-0507 to learn more.
2. Lock
In the time it takes for you to attend a class or grab a cup of coffee, a bike thief could be pedaling away. Even if you’re making a brief stop, lock up your bike.
- Use a U-lock. The vast majority of bikes stolen on campus are locked with weaker cable locks. Investing in a good lock is worth it to keep your bike. U-locks are not invincible, but they do require more and sawing through them can attract attention.
- Lock your bike correctly. Secure the lock through at least one wheel and the frame. Locking a quick-release wheel (but not the frame) to a rack puts your bike at greater risk of theft.
- Lock to a stationary object that cannot be cut. UW has more than 7,800 spaces at bike racks across campus. Please don’t lock your bike to a railing or a tree.
- Check into getting access to a bike room, locker or house.
Several UW buildings have secure bicycle rooms for use by building occupants, and most residence halls provide bicycle storage in designated bicycle rooms. Access to bike rooms in non-residential buildings should be coordinated through that building’s Building Coordinator. Access to residence hall bike rooms should be coordinated through Housing and Food Services or with the hall’s front desk.
UW also has 11 shared secure bike houses and more than 600 individual lockers that can be rented on an annual basis.
3. Report
- Call 911. If you see suspicious activity around bike racks, give us a call. This is the most frequent way we catch thieves in the act.
- Make a police report when your bike is stolen. If your bike is stolen on campus, you can report online or call UWPD’s non-emergency number, 206-685-8973. If your bike is stolen in the City of Seattle, for bicycles worth $500 or less, use the Seattle Police Department’s online form. For bicycles worth more than $500, call the Seattle Police Department non-emergency line at 206-625-5011. You can also mark your bike stolen on Bike Index.
- Make an anonymous tip. If you know something about a crime, but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the UWPD on its tipline at 206-685-8477.
Remember to follow UW bicycle rules, and have a safe ride!
UWPD February Blood Drive
February 1, 2024
This Winter, you can show your community that you care by donating blood. It's a simple and easy process that only takes an hour from check-in to post-donation cookie. Donated blood is crucial for cancer treatment, surgeries, and trauma situations. That's why we're urgently looking for new and returning donors to help maintain a safe and reliable blood supply. By donating, you're doing something great for patients and their loved ones, and possibly your loved ones too. Please consider donating blood at the UW Police Department on February 29, 2024
To make an appointment, please visit the Donor Portal or call 1-800-398-7888.
Celebrate safely as you cheer for the Huskies!
January 5, 2024
We are counting down the minutes until the Huskies play in the national championship game! As you get ready for Purple Reign, here are a few safety tips for Huskies fans.
Be a Party MVP
Volunteer to be a designated driver. Let your team know that you’ll be there for them when the party’s over with a safe, sober ride home.
Enjoy a winning party
If you’re hosting a party for the College Football Playoffs, have plenty of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks for your guests and the designated drivers.
If you have a drink of any kind at a party, know where it is coming from and what’s in it. Do not leave your beverage unattended. Avoid drinking too much. No one likes a sloppy Husky. Pace yourself — eat, take breaks, alternate with nonalcoholic drinks.
Have a game plan for getting home safely
- Use your Husky Card for a free-to-you ride on a bus or light rail.
- Call a taxi or rideshare service.
- If you’re walking home, leave with a sober buddy (or two), especially if you’ve been drinking. Your blood alcohol level will continue to rise for 20 to 40 minutes after your last drink – science!
Play it safe
If the Huskies win on Monday, celebrate responsibly. Yell-sing “Bow Down to Washington” loud enough that they’ll hear you in Houston, but skip the fireworks and anything else that could get Husky fans hurt (or lead to an embarrassing viral video).
Don’t miss the signal call
If you’re a UW student or employee, sign up for UW Alerts to ensure you get notified if an emergency occurs on our near campus.
More Safety Tips
Additional tips from UW Police to help you stay safe, including protecting your personal safety.
And GO HUSKIES!
Scam calls appearing to come from UWPD
December 8, 2023
We’ve received multiple reports today about scam phone calls that appear on caller ID to come from the University of Washington Police Department.
If you receive a call, do not provide personal information, money, gift cards or anything of value to the caller. UWPD will never call and request funds.
If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from UW police, please call the UW police non-emergency number at 206-685-8973.