Safety & Crime Prevention

Bemidji State University’s Department of Public Safety strives to provide a safe and secure campus for all that live, work, study and visit Bemidji State University. On this page you will find several resources and tips to help ensure your safety on campus and in the surrounding community. For questions, please contact Public Safety

Though the Department of Public Safety provides security services for all students, faculty, staff and visitors at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, it remains extremely important that every individual at BSU takes all measures necessary to ensure their own and their peers’ safety and comfort.

Crimes and Suspicious Activity Reporting

Students, faculty, staff and guests of the University are encouraged to immediately report emergencies and criminal activity.

Call 911 if there is an emergency.
Call the Department of Public Safety by calling 3888 from an on-campus phone or (218) 755-3888 from an off-campus phone for non-emergencies. (This number is answered all day, every day.)
You can also stop by the Department of Public Safety office, which is located in the basement of Walnut Hall.

The dispatcher will alert on-duty public safety officer(s) and call the Bemidji Police Department when necessary. The public safety officer will respond, assist any victim(s) and prepare reports and other documentation for follow-up.

The public safety officer can also assist crime victims in reporting a crime to the Bemidji Police Department and the public safety officer will report the crime to the Bemidji Police Department if the victim is unable to make such a report.

Emergency Phones

There are several emergency blue light telephones installed throughout the university campus. These telephones are identified by a blue light and provide a direct line to the Public Safety Dispatcher.

All elevators on campus have an emergency phone located within them that provides a direct line to the Public Safety Dispatcher.

All Residence Hall entrances have an emergency phone located within them that provides a direct line to the Public Safety Dispatcher.

Personal Safety

The Department of Public Safety staff members are available to assist you in protecting yourself by providing regular foot and/or vehicle patrols. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety publishes and distributes security and safety related materials throughout campus. However, only you can protect yourself by being aware of your surroundings and taking appropriate precautions to avoid being the victim of a crime.

Avoid walking alone at night.
Refrain from taking short cuts, walk where there is plenty of light and traffic.
Avoid walking and jogging alone after dark. If you must travel alone at night, use the Department of Public Safety’s Escort Service (218-755-3888) to escort you to your on-campus destination.
Walk along well-lit routes.
Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction, go to the other side of the street and yell for help or head quickly for a lighted area or a group of people.
Have your keys ready when returning to your residence hall or apartment and keep personal or valuable items concealed and close to your body.
Watch for suspicious persons in and around University buildings or parking lots. Do not pursue them. Immediately contact the Department of Public Safety (218-755-3888). Call the Department of Public Safety if you should enter your room and find a stranger, regardless of the “cover story” supplied.
If you see any suspicious activity or people on or near campus, call the Department of Public Safety (218-755-3888). Do not assume the person is a visitor or University staff member that you have not seen before.

Property Protection

If you are living on campus or in an off-campus apartment, it is a good idea to take the time and register your valuables. We have a very safe campus and a safe community, but in case anything happens you have records of your items. Check out ReportIt for more information.

Personal property (purses, backpacks, calculators, cell phones, etc.) should never be left unattended. Take such items with you if you are leaving the office, classroom or your residence.
Take valuables home with you during vacations and school breaks.
Park your bike where you can keep an eye on it if possible. Always lock your bike.
Utilize bike racks and always lock your bike. There are several good anti-theft devices available and casehardened heavy locks and chains afford the best protection.

Residence Safety

Lock your door — even if you are only going out for a short time. It only takes eight seconds to walk into an open room and steal your valuables.
Always lock your door and windows when you are asleep. You are also encouraged to lock your door and windows when you are awake.
Do not prop open locked exterior building doors. These doors are locked for your protection and protection of other residents.
Never open exterior doors of the building for strangers or non-residents. Always escort your guests to and from the main entrance doors.
Do not loan your keys or Student ID card swipe to anyone — even a classmate or friend. They may not be careful with them and may misplace them, giving the wrong person access.
Do not put your name or address on key rings as they may be used to steal your property if found by the wrong person.
Smoke detectors are provided in each housing unit for your safety and at no time should they be disconnected or removed.

Vehicle Protection

Always lock your car doors and never leave your keys in the vehicle.
Try to park your car in well-lit areas.
Avoid leaving property where it’s visible; utilize your trunk if necessary.

ALICE Training

The Department of Public Safety provides several ALICE training sessions throughout each semester at BSU and NTC. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training provides preparation and planning for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or respond to an active shooter event. ALICE training provides a new approach to situational awareness, recognition, assessment and response.

For more information, visit the ALICE Training program for colleges and universities website.

Classroom De-escalation Training

Bemidji State University has several resources available for learning de-escalation techniques in the classroom.