Quick Stats
Number of Public Safety Officers
50
Safety Services
- Motorist assistance
- Stolen property database
- Text messaging system
Health Services
- Dental services
- Mental health
- Nutrition
- Peer counseling
- Pharmacy
- Primary care
- Sexual health
- Vision
- Women's Health
College Prowler Take
Harvard students generally feel safe while roaming the streets of Cambridge, and they have good reason. The Harvard University Police Department and Cambridge Police Department do a commendable job of safeguarding the University’s best assets—the students. Students also have access to multiple blue-light security phones on nearly every block, and must swipe into dorms with keycards, preventing burglars from ever endanger students.
However, Cambridge, like all cities, is not completely safe from crime. Students should always keep in mind they are in an urban setting and be alert, especially when walking alone at night. In the past, Cambridge crime waves have alarmed local citizens, but law enforcement still works to combat the trend with an increased presence. In general, Harvard students rightly feel safe, but prospective students should not be lulled into believing Cambridge and Boston are crime-free.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
I won’t try and tell you that at...
I won’t try and tell you that at Harvard no one gets robbed or mugged and crime doesn’t happen; students should always be mindful that Harvard is located in an urban area. So, if you are like my roommate and had one too many drinks and hopped a ride with someone you didn’t know, then you would probably end up getting mugged just like him. However, Harvard does a stellar job of protecting its students. Blue-light emergency phones litter the campus, allowing students to make a direct call to emergency response at any time of the day or night. |
Anonymous says: |
I feel a nice balance of safety...
I feel a nice balance of safety and being in the middle of a bustling area. The police are very friendly and nice. They are all over the place—in a non-intrusive way. |
Anonymous says: |
The campus is a very safe place....
The campus is a very safe place. There are campus police usually roaming around both day and night. There are shuttles that provide transportation from far ends of the campus, and one can call a shuttle, a police escort, or a student escort if ever he or she doesn’t feel safe walking somewhere. However, despite all these services, I have yet to know anyone who has had the need to use one. |
Anonymous says: |
Incidents happen, and the lack of...
Incidents happen, and the lack of good lighting on campus pathways and the scarcity of patrolling HUPD officers make it less safe than it could be. |
Anonymous says: |
I have never felt in danger,...
I have never felt in danger, however safety is an issue to think about when walking around campus at night. |
Security Office
Harvard University Police Department
1033 Massachusetts Ave., Sixth Floor
(617) 495-1212 (emergencies) (617) 495-1215 (non-emergencies)
www.hupd.harvard.edu
Write for Us!
College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more >
