Written by Chris Kirschner
UF’s state- and nationally-accredited police department is not just some lame rent-a-cop force. They keep an eye on the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in patrol cars, on motorcycles and bicycles, and by foot. In an emergency, they can be just about anywhere on campus in what seems like an instant. In fact, you might be a little dismayed with how fast they’ll be there at just the moment you decide to put the pedal to the metal and zoom past 20 mph on your speedometer. However, the noticeable police presence on campus makes anyone who remembers the UF tragedies of the early '90s feel better, and anyway, most of them are really nice people who genuinely want to help students feel safe at school. The infirmary adds to the feeling of safety, with its student-centered programs, low prices, and friendly staff.
Of course, like any community, UF is not completely free of crime, but if you take the obvious precautions, you should be fine. Don’t leave your laptop unattended and don’t walk alone at night if you can help it. If you are on campus at night and would rather not walk home or to a bus stop by yourself, call the Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP). They will send a van to pick you and your guests up, and transport you safely anywhere on campus. Trust your intuition—if you feel something isn’t safe, it probably isn’t.