Amherst College - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Along with the congeniality of the townsfolk, Amherst College has a certain homey atmosphere that drives away thoughts of crime. An alarming number of students feel comfortable leaving their room doors unlocked. Even still, cases of theft are rare. Both the College and the students are quite aware of maintaining a high level of security. Dorm front doors can only be opened with a personal code that only students and custodians possess. Amherst College campus police patrol regularly during the day and night. Campus police also offer rides back to dorms at night to people who request them. At big parties on campus, fellow students work security and are very serious about their job of keeping things from getting out of hand. Most people will tell you that Amherst is much safer than their hometown, and hardly anyone is afraid to walk alone at night when they’re within the boundaries of the College.

As for the town outside of the College, the main streets are usually heavily populated at night with UMass students and Amherst locals, so it feels safe. This feeling of safety, however, does not expand to the town of Amherst in general, as many students feel timid about walking the many unlit streets that sprawl further and further from the College and into the grasslands. At UMass—a much bigger school—crime is a more pressing problem than at Amherst College. All of this leads people to think of Amherst as a kind of safe haven. Step out of the bubble at your own risk! Just kidding.

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Students Speak Out

AmhLZ says: Amherst College 2016 Undecided

Amherst's campus is extremely... Amherst's campus is extremely safe, aside from the occasional security incident or theft. I'm never afraid to walk around campus alone at night. The campus police are pretty lenient with parties but will shut one down if it gets too loud or out of control. 12345 Safety & Security: February 16, 2009 Report

AmhTL says: Amherst College 2016 History

The campus is very safe, and the... The campus is very safe, and the College police are really friendly. But be warned that if you cross Route 9 with an open container, the police from the town of Amherst get to deal with you, and they're not nearly as forgiving. 12345 Safety & Security: February 16, 2009 Report

AmhYH says: Amherst College 2013 Law and Legal Studies

There is rarely any crime.... There is rarely any crime. Students leave their doors open all the time, even when sleeping. 12345 Safety & Security: February 16, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

I lived last year in a far away... I lived last year in a far away dorm. It was a 15-minute walk back to my room, and at night, I usually used the safe-ride service. I’m not really sure that such caution is, in fact, necessary here, but I’d recommend not walking alone at night for long periods of time. I have some friends who have had their car broken into, and some who have had personal belongings stolen. I don’t think crime is a big issue here, but some does exist, obviously. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

People here are, on average,... People here are, on average, highly aware of respecting each other’s space and dignity. For example, some people frowned upon scornful name-calling at basketball games. This civility is pretty unusual for college students, in my opinion. Not everyone is so respectful, of course, and there are some serious idiots here, but it’s easy to avoid them, because there are relatively few of them. 12345 Safety & Security Report

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