Safety for New Swatties

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

To-Dos Before Arriving | Campus Resources | FAQs

Swarthmore College Public Safety is here to help you feel safe, supported, and connected to the campus community. You may interact with us during an emergency, but you are also welcome to contact us when you simply have a question, concern, or are not sure where to go for help. We are here to help. Public Safety is a resource for the community, not just an emergency response agency. Students can stop by, call, or approach an officer when they have a question or concern.

Need to reach Public Safety?

• In case of emergency, dial 610-328-8333 or ext. 8333 from a campus phone, or, press one of the call boxes located in  campus buildings or the Blue Light Towers placed throughout campus.
• For general business, dial 610-328-8281 or ext. 8281 from a campus phone. 

To-Dos Before Arriving at Swat

1. Download the SwatSafe App. SwatSafe is Swarthmore's centralized, direct way to contact Public Safety in an emergency, access student resources, provide safety and emergency updates, and much more. SwatSafe is available to download for free in the Apple Store and Google Play- just search SwatSafe to get started!
2. Save the Public Safety emergency number (610-328-8333) and general number (610-328-8281) on your phone.
3. Complete emergency contact form.
4. Complete the confidential contact form.
5. Complete an Emergency Evacuation Assistance Request form, if necessary.
6. Identify your Residence Hall and closest Blue Light Emergency Phone using the interactive College map.

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 advantage of our resources. A few are highlighted below, but check out our Security Services web page and download our brochure to learn more about how we can help support your campus experience.

You might talk with Public Safety About:

Getting help during an emergency or when you are concerned about your immediate safety. Public Safety responds to emergencies on campus and can help connect you with the appropriate emergency services. You can contact us if you or someone else needs immediate assistance because of a medical emergency, fire, threat, accident, or other situation that makes you feel unsafe. If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it is okay to contact us and ask for help.

Understanding what to do in an emergency. If you are new to the United States or unfamiliar with how emergency services work here, Public Safety can help you understand when and how to contact Public Safety or 911, what information you may be asked to provide, and what to expect when emergency responders arrive.

Questions about personal safety on campus. You can talk with us about concerns related to walking across campus at night, traveling to or from campus, being alone in an unfamiliar area, or situations that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. We can provide information and help you identify options for staying safe.

Getting around campus safely. Public Safety can help you understand campus transportation options, including the Garnet Shuttle, and answer questions about getting around campus after hours or when you need additional assistance. For more information, see the Getting Around page. 

Accessing buildings or getting help when you are locked out. If you are unable to access your residence hall, room, office, or another campus building because you are locked out or experiencing an access problem, Public Safety may be able to assist or connect you with the appropriate campus resource.

Lost or found property. If you lose your phone, wallet, identification, keys, or another important item, you can contact Public Safety to report it or ask whether an item has been turned in. We can also explain what steps you should take if you lose an important identification document.

Reporting something that concerns you. You can contact Public Safety if you see, hear about, or experience something that concerns you or another member of the community. You do not need to know exactly what type of incident it is or what the appropriate response should be. You can tell us what happened, and we can help determine what resources or next steps may be appropriate.

Getting help for a friend or another student. You do not have to be the person experiencing a problem to contact Public Safety. If you are worried about a friend, roommate, classmate, or another member of the community, you can contact us and explain what is happening. We can help you determine what to do next.

Understanding campus safety alerts and emergency procedures. Public Safety can help you understand Swarthmore's emergency notification system, what different types of alerts mean, and what you should do when you receive an emergency message. We can also answer questions about procedures such as evacuation, sheltering, or responding to other emergencies.

Questions about U.S. emergency services. Emergency services may operate differently in your home country. Public Safety can help explain how emergency response works in the United States, including the roles of Public Safety, police, fire, and emergency medical services, and when it is appropriate to contact each one.

Finding the right campus resource. Sometimes the best person to help with a concern is not Public Safety. If you come to us with a question or problem that is better addressed by another office or department, we can help you identify the appropriate resource and, when appropriate, help connect you with that office.

Asking a question. You do not need to have a specific problem or emergency to talk with Public Safety. If you have a question about campus safety, something you have observed, or something you do not understand, we would rather have you ask than remain unsure about what to do.

Public Safety FAQ's

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

The College encourages students, faculty, and staff who have witnessed a crime or have been victimized to report the event to Public Safety or Swarthmore Borough Police as quickly as possible. 

• To make a report to Public Safety, call 610-328-8333 or ext. 8333 from a campus phone, or, press one of the call boxes located in campus buildings or the Blue Light Towers placed throughout campus. You may also report directly to Public Safety by accessing this online reporting form (which may also be completed confidentially).
• To make a report with the Swarthmore Borough Police, call 911 and advise you are a Swarthmore College Community Member. Additionally, you may contact Public Safety as indicated above and they may arrange the connection and report with the Borough Police.
• Community members may report Title IX concerns directly to Title IX by accessing this online reporting form.

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

Swarthmore College Public Safety Officers are not the police. They monitor buildings and grounds, respond to emergencies, educate the community on crime prevention, run the campus shuttle, provide safety escorts, and complete incident reports which are forwarded to the Division of Student Affairs or other appropriate offices. Public Safety does not have arrest powers, and is not armed. Public Safety wears gray colored polo shirts with black pants, and carries radios, keys, and a flashlight.

Swarthmore Borough Police are sworn municipal police officers who have full arrest authority on campus as we are located wholly within their jurisdiction. Public Safety and the Swarthmore Police have a close working relationship, but are not the same entities. Swarthmore Police wear dark navy (almost black) shirts and pants, with an external ballistic vest. They carry everything a police officer would normally carry including a firearm, taser, handcuffs, and batons. 

What services does Public Safety provide?

Public Safety provides a number of services and various training courses which can be found in detail by visiting the Crime Prevention and Security Services page.

How are violations of the Student Handbook handled?

Public Safety will perform initial investigations and document all violations of the student handbook before completing a report. These reports are then forwarded to the Division of Student Affairs which handles all student conduct. Information about Public Safety's response to intoxicated subjects (including underage drinking) may be found here.