Electric scooters are a convenient way of getting around campus and everywhere in between. When operating an electric scooter, one must be aware of their surroundings. Help assure your safety and that of everyone around you by following these tips:
- Use bike lanes. Whenever possible, use bike lanes. All things considered, bike lanes make for a much safer and less stressful commuting experience for all parties involved.
- Obey All Traffic Laws. Even though you’re operating on two wheels rather than four, electric scooters are still obliged to adhere to the same traffic laws as all other vehicles. This includes obeying all traffic signs, adhering to street-specific speed limits, and giving way to pedestrians.
- Wear a helmet. We know what you’re thinking, helmets can totally cramp your style… literally! But wearing a helmet is one of the most proactive precautions you can take to protect yourself from serious injury when riding an electric scooter.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars. While you might think it looks cool to operate an electric scooter with only one hand, this makes it much more challenging to retain control of the scooter if something unexpected happens. It only takes a sudden pothole, or a reckless driver to throw you an obstacle you can’t easily handle with only a single hand on the controls. In the interests of road safety (as well as your own), make use of both those handlebars at all times. This also means, do not use your phone while operating a scooter.
Once your ride is over, properly secure your scooter. Like any bike, your scooter could be stolen if it's not locked up properly. Many scooters have steering locks that make the scooter hard to maneuver if stolen or can be disabled from the App. Scooters nor bicycles should be locked using a cable lock. You can receive a free U-Lock from UMPD by registering your scooter or bicycle on the police website.
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UMPD records are, and have always been, Coral Gables Police Department (CGPD) records. This means that if you or someone you know has filed a police report with UMPD, you must contact CGPD to obtain a copy of the report. You will need the following information:
- Case number.
- Incident date.
- Incident address.
The simplest way to solicit a copy of a police report is by submitting a request via the City of Coral Gables public records request page.
You can access the portal by visiting coralgables.com and selecting “request a public record” within the top navigation, or simply use this link. One of the many advantages of submitting your request via the Coral Gables public records portal is being able to check the status of the submitted request. Simply click the Track Status link and enter the request number sent to you in a confirmation email.
If you have any questions about public records, contact the City of Coral Gables City Clerk's office at 305-569-1839 or call UMPD at 305-284-6666.
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(From left to right; Chief D. Rivero, Officer G. Giz, Sergeant B. Boisson)
On January 26, 2024, Officer G. Giz (centered) responded to a call regarding a traumatic injury. Officer Giz was the first to arrive on scene and located the injured person. After assessing the injury, Officer Giz determined that he needed to apply a tourniquet, which he placed swiftly. His actions prevented further blood loss from a life-threatening wound. Officer Giz’s swift response and quick actions reflect a level of professionalism which embody the University of Miami DIRECCT values; he exhibited Responsibility, Excellence and Compassion, to name a few. We would like to commend Officer Giz on a job well done.
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Keep In Touch Initiative is in Full Effect
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This past fall semester, UMPD introduced a new initiative titled: Keep In Touch. UMPD personnel are patrolling the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are constantly interacting with the University community.
As a department, UMPD wants to measure the quality of these interactions and open the line of communication for feedback from our community. UMPD also wants to give the UM community the ability to Keep in Touch with UMPD, if they so choose, and be added to our mailing list to receive regular updates about events, resources, and campus safety. a survey was administered to each of our officers and UMPD personnel inquiring about the quality of knowledge gained through the interaction, and the option to Keep in Touch. If you see an officer or UMPD employee, stop them, and ask about Keep in Touch.
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Every year, UMPD teams up with the Florida Department of Transportation to host a special University of Miami Safety Fair. The event will feature officers from local and state departments, as well as vendors and activists who dedicate their time to educating the public about safety. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 21 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the UC Rock Plaza. There will be lots of giveaways.
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Self-Defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange (SAFE) is a 2-hour introduction to a self-defense program that provides women with risk awareness, risk reduction, and personal safety information. While SAFE is not an in-depth self-defense program, it encompasses information on prevention, options, and strategies as well as some very basic physical defense technique instruction. SAFE is an excellent introduction to the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program. The course is free for University of Miami students, faculty, and staff.
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UMPD looks to host their very first Pickleball Tournament on the Coral Gables campus in early April. We are looking for some competitive and energetic individuals who would love to have some fun for a good cause. There will be a $25 registration fee; all proceeds will go to charity. For more information, please contact Lt. Fisher via email at obridges@miami.edu.
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Interested in Pursuing a Career in Law Enforcement?
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Since its inception in 1926, the University of Miami has had a department dedicated to ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The University of Miami Police Department (UMPD) is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and visitors. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, UMPD is composed of a highly dedicated team of State of Florida certified police officers and detectives empowered through the City of Coral Gables Police Department (CGPD).
UMPD police officers patrol the campus, respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, enforce traffic laws, conduct criminal investigations, and carry out other law enforcement-related activities. In addition, the department has several support professionals, including crime prevention coordinators, security officers, police dispatchers, and CCTV experts.
To fulfill our mission, UMPD is always actively looking for qualified applicants who meet the requirements. Below are some of the requirements for the position of Police Officer:
- Be at least 19 years of age.
- Must have a Basic Law Enforcement Certification in good standing.
- Have a valid Florida driver’s license with good driving records.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Completion of 54 college credits or three years as a law enforcement officer, or three years of military service.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Pass an in-depth background investigation.
If interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement with UMPD, or for additional information, contact Detective Alberto Alonso at 305-284-1117 or aalo@miami.edu.
On behalf of our Chief David Rivero and the dedicated men and women of UMPD, we encourage you to consider a career with us and for you to become an integral part of the University of Miami.
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When our UMPD officers go on bicycle patrol, they have the advantage and ability to be in the center of crowds with the means to get around quickly and respond to calls for service without delay. In an effort to serve you better, you'll likely see our UMPD officers on their bicycle patrols on the Coral Gables campus. Next time you see our officers, we invite you to stop and say hello. They are there to help answer your questions and keep you safe. Learn more about our bicycle patrol program.
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