Travel Safely this Holiday Season
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Traveling season is here! Many of you will be going home for the holidays or to different destinations around the world, so here are a few tips from the University of Miami Police Department (UMPD) for staying safe during your domestic or international travels:
- Share your travel plans with close friends and family. Include information of those you will be traveling with.
- Do not post your travel plans or pictures on social media before or during your trip. Doing so will alert potential threats to your location, and will let them know your home is vacant and vulnerable. Instead, post about your travels when you return.
- Educate yourselves with regard to the laws of different states or countries to avoid violations.
- Keep UMPD's contact information handy in case of an emergency while abroad: call 305-284-6666 or email police@miami.edu.
- Remember: safety in numbers. Stay together, and do not leave anyone behind.
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Avoid Scams During the Holidays
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Now that the holiday shopping season is in full swing, scammers are also shopping and looking for people to separate from their money. Here are some tips so you can have a great, safe holiday season:
- Buy gift cards for gifts, not for payments. Gift cards are a great answer for gifts; however, they are also a scammer's favorite way to steal your money. Anyone who contacts you and demands that you pay them with a gift card, for any reason, is always a scammer. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company to a different name or number, or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.
- Scammers pressure you to act immediately. Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you're on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can't check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver's or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.
- All of those packages stacking up outside your door can be tempting for thieves. Porch poachers might steal packages from your doorstep. Consider tracking your packages, so you'll know when they've arrived. You can also set up a different delivery address with a neighbor who is home during the day or your workplace to ensure packages are delivered safely.
- Protect your personal information. It's easy to hit the "buy" button from anywhere on your phone or laptop, but be sure you're not sharing personal or credit card information over public Wi-Fi. Wait until you're on a secure network to make a purchase.
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Pursue a Career in Law Enforcement
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Since its inception in 1926, the University of Miami has had a department dedicated to ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The University of Miami Police Department (UMPD) is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and visitors. Operating 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, UMPD is comprised of a highly dedicated team of State of Florida-certified police officers and detectives, empowered through the City of Coral Gables Police Department.
UMPD police officers patrol the campus, respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, enforce traffic laws, conduct criminal investigations, and carry out other law enforcement related activities. In addition, the department has several support professionals, including crime prevention coordinators, security officers, police dispatchers, and CCTV experts.
To fulfill our mission, UMPD is always actively looking for qualified applicants that meet the requirements. Detailed below are some of the requirements for the position of police officer:
- Be at least 19 years of age.
- Must have a basic law enforcement certification in good standing.
- Have a valid Florida driver's license with good driving records.
- Be a U.S citizen.
- Completion of 54 college credits, or three years as a law enforcement officer, or three years military service.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Pass an in-depth background investigation.
If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement with UMPD, or if you need additional information, please contact detective Alberto Alonso at 305-284-1117 or aalo@miami.edu.
On behalf of Chief David Rivero and the dedicated men and women of UMPD, we encourage those interested in law enforcement to consider a career with us and become an integral part of the University of Miami.
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When our UMPD officers go on bicycle patrol, they have the advantage and ability to be in the center of crowds with the means to get around quickly and respond to calls for service without delay. In an effort to better serve you, you'll likely see our UMPD officers on their bicycle patrols at the Coral Gables campus. Next time you see our officers, we invite you to stop and say hello. They are there to help answer your questions and keep you safe. Click here to learn more about our bicycle patrol program.
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Every year, UMPD teams up with the Florida Department of Transportation to host a special University of Miami Safety Fair. The event will feature officers from local and state departments, as well as vendors and activists who dedicate their time to educating the public about mobility safety. This event will take place in February, so mark your calendars for 2023!
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