Safety for New Swatties

Important safety information, to-dos before arriving, and FAQs.

Picture of the front of the Ben West House/Visitors Center where Public Safety is located.

Public Safety Office/Ben West House

To-Dos Before Arriving | Campus Resources | FAQs

Welcome to Swarthmore!

Swarthmore College Public Safety is here to help you feel safe, supported, and connected to the campus community from day one. You may interact with us during an emergency, but you are always welcome to contact us whenever you have a question, a concern, or simply aren't sure where to turn. Public Safety is a proactive resource for the entire community, not just an emergency response agency; feel free to stop by our office, call, or approach an officer on campus anytime.

Reaching Public Safety

  • In an Emergency: Dial (610) 328-8333 (or ext. 8333 from any campus phone), or press the emergency button on any interior building call box or outdoor Blue Light Tower.

  • For General Business: Dial (610) 328-8281 (or ext. 8281 from any campus phone).

To-Dos Before Arriving at Swat

  1. Download the SwatSafe App: SwatSafe is Swarthmore’s centralized app to contact Public Safety directly in an emergency, receive instant safety updates, access student resources, and more. Download it for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching "SwatSafe."

  2. Save Our Numbers: Add our Emergency number (610) 328-8333 and General line (610) 328-8281 directly to your cell phone contacts.

  3. Submit Required Forms:

    1. Complete the Emergency Contact form.

    2. Complete the Confidential Contact form.

    3. Complete the Emergency Evacuation Assistance Request form (if applicable).

  4. Locate Campus Resources: Use the interactive College map to locate your Residence Hall and identify the closest Blue Light Emergency Phone.

  5. Pack a Dorm Safety Kit: We recommend assembling a personal kit with minor first-aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, and basic emergency essentials.

We also recommend you prepare a safety kit for your dorm room, including minor first aid equipment, a flashlight, and other essential items you may need in an emergency!

Public Safety Campus Resources

Once you arrive on campus, we encourage you to take full advantage of our services. Visit our Crime Prevention and Security Services page and download our informational brochure to explore everything we offer.

You can connect with Public Safety about:

  • Immediate Emergency Response: Assisting during medical emergencies, fires, accidents, threats, or any situation where you or someone else feels unsafe. If you are ever unsure whether a situation constitutes an emergency, contact us—we are always here to help.

  • Navigating U.S. Emergency Systems: If you are an international student or unfamiliar with emergency operations in the U.S., we can explain how Public Safety, police, fire, and EMS function, when to call 911 vs. Public Safety, and what to expect when responders arrive.

  • Personal Safety Concerns: Discussing safety while walking at night, traveling to or from campus, navigating unfamiliar areas, or managing situations that feel uncomfortable. We will help you identify options to stay safe.

  • Safe Campus Transportation: Answering questions about nighttime travel, accessibility assistance, and campus transit options like the Garnet Shuttle (detailed on our Getting Around page).

  • Lockouts and Building Access: Helping you regain entry to your residence hall, room, office, or academic facility if you are locked out or experiencing card access issues.

  • Lost and Found: Reporting lost items (such as phones, wallets, keys, or IDs), checking if an item was turned in, and learning the proper steps to take if you lose critical identification documents.

  • Reporting Community Concerns: Sharing information about anything you observe, hear, or experience that concerns you. You do not need to identify the exact incident type or response required—we will help guide next steps.

  • Bystander Support: Reaching out on behalf of a friend, roommate, or classmate. If you are worried about another community member, we can help you figure out how to support them.

  • Emergency Alerts & Protocols: Explaining Swarthmore's emergency notification system, message meanings, and official protocols for evacuation, sheltering in place, and other scenarios.

  • Campus Navigation & Referral: Guiding you to the right campus partner. If another department is better suited to address your concern, we will connect you directly with the appropriate office.

  • General Questions: Asking any question about campus life and safety. No issue is too small, and you do not need an active emergency to talk to us—we would always rather you ask than remain unsure.

Public Safety FAQ's

What should I do if I am the victim of a crime? 

The College strongly encourages anyone who has witnessed a crime or been victimized to report it to Public Safety or the Swarthmore Borough Police immediately.

  • To report to Public Safety: Call (610) 328-8333 (ext. 8333), use a building call box or outdoor Blue Light Tower, or submit an Online Reporting Form (which allows for confidential submission).

  • To report to Swarthmore Borough Police: Call 911 and state that you are a Swarthmore College community member. Alternatively, contact Public Safety and an officer will connect you with the Borough Police.

  • Title IX Reporting: Community members may submit Title IX concerns directly to the Title IX Coordinator via the Title IX Online Reporting Form.

What is the difference between a Public Safety Officer and a Police Officer?

  • Public Safety Officers: Swarthmore Public Safety Officers are unarmed college employees without arrest powers. They wear gray polo shirts, black pants, and carry radios, keys, and flashlights. Officers monitor buildings and grounds, respond to campus incidents, lead crime prevention education, oversee the campus shuttle, provide safety escorts, and complete incident reports forwarded to the Division of Student Affairs or appropriate campus offices.

  • Swarthmore Borough Police Officers: Swarthmore Police are sworn municipal law enforcement officers with full arrest authority across campus. They wear dark navy (almost black) uniforms with external ballistic vests and carry standard police equipment, including firearms, tasers, handcuffs, and batons. While Public Safety and the Borough Police maintain a close collaborative partnership, they are separate entities.

What services does Public Safety provide? 

Public Safety offers a comprehensive array of safety programs, crime prevention workshops, and community services. Full details are available on our Crime Prevention and Security Services page.

How are violations of the Student Handbook handled? 

Public Safety conducts initial documentation and fact-finding for reported violations of the Student Handbook. Completed reports are forwarded to the Division of Student Affairs, which oversees the student conduct process. Details regarding Public Safety's protocol for intoxicated individuals and underage drinking policies can be reviewed on our website.