• Why do I need to register my bicycle?
  • Bicycle registration is required for parking and operating a bicycle on campus or any university owned or leased property. Bring your bicycle to the Public Safety office for registration during regular university business hours. Registration will increase the chance of recovery, if your bike is stolen or impounded.

• Why do bicycles get impounded?
  • Bicycles are subject to impound if the rider violates the Bicycle Policy located in Scampus.  If a bicycle is impounded, you may visit the Public Safety office to retrieve your bicycle and pay an impounding fee. For further information visit SCampus.

• How can I get an Escort?
  • On and off-campus tram service operates Monday through Friday.  Campus Cruiser, the student escort service, is available 7 days a week from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM. To request an escort on the University Park Campus, call (213) 740-4911. On the Health Sciences Campus, call (323) 442-2100. For further information visit Trojan Transportation

• Why should I Report a Crime?

  • Whether it happens to you or you’re a witness, you are responsible to call Public Safety or the Los Angeles Police Department to report a crime. To report anonymously you may use the Silent Witness Program.       

    “In the First Two Minutes…”

    If police arrive at the scene of a crime while in progress within two minutes of receiving the call, the chances of apprehending a suspect are greatly increased. The odds of making an arrest decrease quickly as the minutes tick by. Public Safety needs your help. Don’t let reporting a crime be an afterthought. Immediately go to a safe place and call. Stay on the line and inform the dispatcher of everything you may remember regarding the suspect (clothing, features, vehicle, direction of travel, etc.).

    Keep the emergency numbers in your cell phone or wallet.

    Reporting crimes helps prevent repeated offenses. Public Safety tracks crime trends to develop strategies to suppress or eliminate them.

• When you report a crime?

  • The Department of Public Safety sends an officer to your location.

    The officer conducts a preliminary investigation and prepares a crime report.

    Officers submit the report to DPS and/or LAPD detectives for follow up, if necessary.      

    Public Safety’s partnership with the LAPD means you will receive an immediate response from law enforcement officers familiar with the campus and the benefit of any necessary follow-up will be done by DPS and LAPD.

• How can I obtain a copy of a report?
  • In order to obtain a copy of a police or incident report from DPS, the requesting party must be listed as a victim or reporting party. The requesting party must fill out a "Report Request" form located in the DPS front lobby and may return in 3 business days to receive the report.  For additional information call (213) 740-5524.

• Where do I claim Lost and Found?
  • DPS operates the university’s centralized lost and found service. If you have lost an item call (213) 740-9759 at UPC, or (323) 442-1200 at HSC.  You may also access Lost and Found at http://capsnet.usc.edu/dps/ .  If you are unsure about an item listed on the web, please contact Lost and Found via telephone.

GREEK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Why has DPS and LAPD increased patrols in the Greek Community?
  • Patrol assignments are usually the same each day. Often times, patrol assignments may be impacted by community events, increased crime activity, or a request for extra patrols.

• Why has DPS put so many restrictions on the Greeks?
  • The Greek community is unique and often times absorbs much of DPS resources on party nights and gatherings.  DPS does not make policy; however, we can be influential in our efforts to ensure overall safety for students. DPS also must adequately distribute its services to the larger community. Guidelines or restrictions are in place to maintain order and assist DPS in making sure services are met throughout the community.

• What has DPS done to make the Greek Community more informed about the rules and regulations?
  • DPS does not make the rules. Rules and guidelines are established by a partnership between Student Affairs, Student Senate, Greek Advisors, and DPS. These guidelines are distributed to each Greek organization via Greek officers and advisors.

• How is DPS effectively communicating their procedures for the Row?
  • DPS procedures are determined by the above answer and communicated via Greek officers.

• What does DPS expect from the fraternities and sororities?
  • Our expectations are no different from the university’s expectation as written in the SCampus Student Conduct on behavior.

• What kind of training do DPS officers receive on Greek Life?
  • No formal training. Experience and communication are our key components in working with the Row.

• Can a DPS officer come into our house to shut down a party?

  • Yes. Parties are usually shut down for these reasons:

    Unauthorized

    Complaints

    Crowd control that impacts safety issues

• Why do DPS officers take pictures or video tape our parties?
  • We use video cameras mostly for evidentiary documentation.

• What is considered binge drinking?
  • Excessive indulgence of drinking alcoholic beverages, as in eating.

• Why do officers waste time giving J-walking tickets?
  • DPS does not issue J-walking citations; however, the City of Los Angeles does, mostly for safety awareness and accident prevention.

• If my friend had too much to drink and I call for an ambulance, will I get in trouble? Will my friend get in trouble?
  • No. You are acting responsiblly with the care for your friend. This is a good thing.

• If I call to report something, can I remain anonymous?
  • Yes. However, some incidents may be extremely useful in having a reference, especially incidents that would require witness accounts for prosecution. Your personal information is kept confidentially.

• Has a list of penalties and consequences been distributed to each fraternity and sorority?
  • All students are accountable for the conduct and behavior. Every student is given a SCampus Student Guidebook after the admission into the university.

• What are Greek Liaisons?
  • Public Safety Officers assigned as liaisons to the Greek System. These officers address a variety of public safety issues as well as non-public safety issues unique to each Greek organization. Officers are also a resource to other university departments.

• How closely does DPS work with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)?
  • DPS has a daily working relationship with the LAPD. The City of Los Angeles is invested in providing a wealth of resources to the university community to enhance safety and crime prevention.

• What university resources does DPS use to handle situations on the Row?

  • DPS has a partnership with a varietyto provide a variety of services to the Row student community. DPS also works closely with other university and external agencies/departments that provide the following services:

    • Fire Safety and Emergency Planning
    • Student Health and Counseling Services
    • Police Services (LAPD)
    • Theft Prevention and Awareness

• Does DPS think the Greek Community is self governing?
  • Yes. Each house is represented by individual Greek appointed presidents and officers. DPS welcomes opportunities to work with Greek Presidents on crime prevention related matters.

• What is the main problem in dealing with parties on the row?
  • Most parties have been known to get out-of-control that involve drugs, over-consumption and underage drinking; fighting which causes serious injuries, and disruption to fellow community members.

• If you could give me one piece of advice, what would it be?
  • Take C.A.R.E.

    Control bad habits and behaviors that lead to disruption

    Accountable to your frat brothers/ sorority sisters

    Responsible for the actions of each other

    Exemplify yourself, your frat/sorority, and the Trojan Spirit

• Why do DPS officers seem rude sometimes?
  • Frustration, but this is no excuse.

• Is it against the law to drink in public?
  • The law states that no person shall possess any can, bottle, or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed on any street or sidewalk. Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C.) 41.27(c).

• What do I do if I get a ticket from an officer or Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC)?
  • Most citations are payable by a monetary fine or may require that you appear before a magistrate or court judge. Usually, instructions are printed on the reverse side of the citation.