Contacting the Police

If You Witness a Crime on Campus

Timely reporting is often the main factor in solving a crime. If you have witnessed a crime on campus or have information concerning a crime on campus, please contact the Department of Public Safety Police Division.

Public Safety dispatchers are trained to obtain the most accurate and complete information possible regarding activities you witness. When contacting Public Safety, please stay on the line until the dispatcher disconnects the call.

The dispatcher will need specific information from you such as:

• What is the incident?
• Where is the incident?
• Who is involved?

Reporting parties should leave a contact number should follow-up be needed. The information is part of the ongoing investigation and is subject to provisions of the Code of Iowa.

Victims of sexual abuse have the additional option of filing an anonymous report with the coordinator of UNI Sexual Abuse Services; however, the report cannot be used as a basis of a criminal report.

If You Witness a Crime Off Campus

If you observe a crime off-campus, you should contact the county-wide consolidated dispatch at 291-2515 or 911 in emergencies. They will dispatch the appropriate policing agency.

If outside of Cedar Falls, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

All bomb or other threats affecting university facilities shall be reported to the Public Safety office immediately. Public Safety shall act in a manner aimed at minimizing the potential for injuries, damage to property and disruption of university operation.

• UNI Bomb Threat Policy

Possible Characteristics of Suspicious Packages or Letters:

• excessive postage
• handwritten or poorly typed addresses
• incorrect titles
• title, but no name
• misspellings of common words
• oily stains, discolorations, or odor
• no return address
• excessive weight
• lopsided or uneven envelope
• protruding wires or aluminum foil
• excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
• visual distractions
• ticking sound
• marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "personal" or "confidential"
• shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address

If the Letter or Package Meets the Above Criteria:

• Do NOT shake or empty the contents.
• Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
• If you do not have any container, then cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g. clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do NOT remove this cover.
• Then leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others form entering.
• Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder.
• What to do next:
• If at home, report the incident to the local police.
• If at UNI, report the incident to the UNI Department of Public Safety (273-2712).
• List all the people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up.;

Additional Resources:

• Telephone Bomb Threat - Checklist
• United States Postal Service Resources
• CDC Health Advisory: How to Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats
• CDC Anthrax Frequently Asked Questions
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security

All emergency situations involving students, university employees and visitors should be managed by activation of the 911 emergency support system. Dial 319-273-2905 for all on-campus emergencies, and Public Safety will contact 911.

Members of the faculty and staff employed by the university are not eligible to receive treatment from the Student Health Clinic. Care for work-related accidents, injuries and acute illness should be facilitated by releasing the employee from work duties and directing them to Allen Occupational Health Services.

Visitors to campus who require medical care should be managed in the same way as faculty and staff. Local emergency rooms provide 24-hour access to care if a private clinic appointment is not available, appropriate or desired by the client. Student Health Clinic physicians and nurses (during normal working hours when school is in session) are available to assist in advising visitors about sources of care in the community.