Important Community Safety Update

Aug. 31, 2026

Dear Campus Community,

The University of Cincinnati Police Division and university leadership consider the safety of our students to be of paramount importance. Like you, we take recent incidents involving gun violence off campus in nearby neighborhoods extremely seriously, and we are concentrating our attention and resources toward taking steps that strengthen safety. We understand how unsettling these incidents are for students and families, particularly when they occur in neighborhoods where many of our students live and spend time. 

UC has a strong partnership with the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) that oversees these neighborhoods. Our leaders are in ongoing contact with CPD and city leaders to coordinate efforts to keep the areas surrounding campus safe.

We continue to work closely with CPD to review recent events, assess our strategy, and make ongoing adjustments to keep our community safe. Learn more in UC Public Safety’s Safety FAQ.

Additional policing efforts:

• UCPD has significantly increased its patrol presence and traffic control around campus, particularly during weekend overnights. This will continue.

• CPD has doubled patrols around campus in areas experiencing increased late-night activity. These efforts are funded by UC’s significant financial investment — exceeding a million dollars annually — to fund enhanced CPD policing in campus neighborhoods.

• Additional strategies are being implemented to control crowd size and deter disorderly conduct.

• Law enforcement are engaging business owners to assist in preventing disorderly behavior.

Specific awareness efforts:

• Cincinnati Police Department Interim Chief Adam Hennie and I are conducting joint media interviews today to address these recent incidents, discuss our coordinated response and share the steps our departments are taking to support safety on and around campus.

• UC students are automatically enrolled in Rave Alert, which sends emergency notifications by text message and email when an immediate threat occurs on or near campus. Parents and other community members can also sign up to receive alerts. Learn more about safety notifications or sign up for Rave Alert.

• Students can use the Bearcat Guardian safety app to set a Safety Timer and designate a friend, family member or UCPD as their “Guardian.” If a student does not turn off the timer as expected, the designated Guardian is notified so they can check on the student or respond appropriately.

• Bearcat Guardian also allows students to chat with UCPD in real time — anonymously if they choose — and share photos or their live location. An Emergency Call Button connects directly with UC Police and provides the student’s GPS location to help emergency personnel respond quickly. Students can review the Bearcat Guardian FAQ for more details.

• Students can use UC’s Bearcats Shuttle service at no charge, with routes serving campus and surrounding areas. Service on some routes begins as early as 7 a.m. and runs as late as 2 a.m., providing another option for getting around campus and nearby neighborhoods. Students can also use the live shuttle tracker for current route information.

• UCPD and Student Affairs are available to meet directly with students and student organizations to discuss safety concerns, share practical safety information, and connect students with available resources. Additionally, students seeking an elevated level of support can reach out to the Dean of Students Office for assistance.

• Students and families may also contact UCPD’s non-emergency line at 513-556-1111 or email UCPD at publicsafety@uc.edu with questions or concerns. Additional resources are available through UC Public Safety.

We are committed to continuing to work closely with our city partners and campus community to strengthen safety on and around our campus. We will also continue to assess conditions, adjust our safety strategies as needed, and keep our campus community informed.

Sincerely,
Eliot K. Isaac
Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police