Washington University in St. Louis - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Whatever crimes occur at Wash U invariably show up in the “Police Beat” section of Student Life, the main student newspaper. There are often detailed reports about “green, leafy substances” being confiscated from unlucky students, stolen bottles of tequila, and other minor incidents, but overwhelmingly, there is little crime, and little reason to feel unsafe at Wash U. The campus is nestled between three upscale neighborhoods, making it a safe place to live and study. None of those interviewed could recall an instance in which he or she felt threatened or unsafe on campus.

The presence of campus police and blue-light security phones make most students feel perfectly at ease, and since most areas of the campus are well lit and usually frequented, walking around campus late at night doesn’t make many students nervous. Off-campus is a different story. There have been a few gang-related crimes in recent years on the Loop, and students are aware that being alone at night is inadvisable. However, the University has taken preventative measures: they installed blue-light security phones around the Loop, send patrol cars at all hours of the night, and even offer self-defense courses.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Personally, I have never had any... Personally, I have never had any problems. Walking around on campus at night has never been an issue for me. I always feel safe. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

I have never felt unsafe on... I have never felt unsafe on campus. There are police patrolling the campus at all hours, blue-light security phones all over the place, and the campus is pretty well lit. If you ever don’t feel safe, you can call for an escort, and they’ll come and pick you up from wherever you are and take you home. Of course, the escorts don’t always come immediately after you call them. I once waited for over an hour. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

I have never felt unsafe on... I have never felt unsafe on campus. If you’re at the library or the art school finishing a project at 2 a.m., you can call the campus police and they’d be more than happy to have an escort take you back to the dorm (free, of course). 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Campus safety is really great;... Campus safety is really great; I’ve never felt unsafe. The Wash U campus is so small that you’re never really very far from people who can help if you do have a problem. You also have to have a student ID to get into any of the dorms because you use it to deactivate the locks. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

The Wash U campus is in a very... The Wash U campus is in a very nice neighborhood. Most students feel safe walking around. We have a visible police force and emergency phones everywhere you look. The only crime you really ever hear of is petty theft. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Did You Know?

St. Louis’s proximity to the New Madrid fault line means that earthquakes can happen at Washington University. Minor tremors are more likely than a severe earthquake; nonetheless, you should take precautions and prepare in advance.

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 >