GUPD Communications

The Georgetown University Police Department notifies the campus community through Timely Warnings when crimes are reported to GUPD or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that the University believes represents a threat to its students or employees, in a manner consistent with the Campus Security Act. The University uses its best efforts to provide information that is both accurate and helpful, but community members should recognize that the University is able to relay information only as it is reported to GUPD and/or MPD. Timely Warnings are distributed via broadcast email to students, faculty and staff, in addition to being published here.

Timely Warnings are issued via email when incidents reported to GUPD constitute a felony or serious misdemeanor, involve a hate/bias element or involve a serious physical injury and may pose an ongoing threat to members of the university community.

The determination of whether an incident poses an ongoing threat is made by experienced law enforcement professionals, based on the information available about the nature of the incident, including whether or not a perpetrator has been identified, arrested or remains at large.

The decision to issue a Timely Warning is made by law enforcement professionals in consultation with university officials, including representatives from the Office of Student Affairs and IDEAA, who are experienced in responding to the needs of community members who may be victims of serious incidents, sexual assault, hate or bias.

Click here to see the GUPD Timely Warning Policy.

Last Updated April 3, 2022

LiveSafe is a mobile safety app for GU students, faculty and staff.

LiveSafe App Features:

• Tips: Anonymously reach GUPD to submit information about suspicious activity, harassment, noise complaints, mental health problems and any other safety issues you may experience. Option to add photos, audio or video to your message enabling officers to better respond to the issue.
• Request a SafeRide: Allows the user to request a SafeRide. This point-to-point service operates from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
• SafeWalk: Allows users to add friends, share your location when you leave a location, stay in constant communication with those friends while you walk to your destination and send a group chat when you reach your destination safely. If you run into trouble, you can contact police from within the app.
• Instant Emergency Connection via chat or phone: In the case of an emergency where you need immediate assistance you can choose to contact 911, or campus police. If you choose to call or message campus police, location tracking will begin, allowing officers to respond to your exact location.
• Access to Important Resources: Sexual Assault, Mental Health and Bias Reporting resources are listed on the LiveSafe App.
• Campus Emergency Response Guide: This guide contains important information on how to respond to various emergencies on campus.

All current students, faculty and staff are now automatically enrolled in HOYAlert, Georgetown’s mass notification system used in the event of an emergency situation or incident.

HOYAlert sends messages with guidance in the event of an incident affecting the safety or security of Georgetown University’s Main Campus, Medical Center, School of Continuing Studies and Law Center. HOYAlert allows users to receive these alerts via Georgetown University or personal email addresses, SMS text messaging to cell phones and PDAs, as well as voice messaging to a cell or landline phones. Messages can be sent at any time as incidents occur, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

All current students, faculty and staff will receive HOYAlerts at their Georgetown University email address and at additional email addresses and phone numbers that the University has on file. If you would like to update your contact information for HOYAlerts, please visit www.getrave.com/login/georgetown.

You do not need to opt in for HOYAlerts for your primary campus; however, if you would like to opt in to receive HOYAlerts for additional locations (e.g., opt in for the Capitol Campus if you are based on the Hilltop Campus) you can do so in GU360.

HOYAlert (emails and texts) will continue to be used to notify students, faculty and staff about changes in the university’s operating status, including notifications regarding closings and delays. Inclement weather information can also be found by calling the inclement weather line at 202-687-7669 or by visiting the University operating status webpage. HOYAlert phone calls and voice messages will not be used to announce inclement weather information.

AlertDC, operated by the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, is a communications system that provides real-time updates directly to your phone. AlertDC allows you to select what type of notifications you’d like to receive (such as traffic, police events, power and utility outages and more.) in your relevant neighborhood(s).

• 1/30/24 – “Register Now for Active Shooter Response Trainings”
• 10/25/23 – “Staying Safe This Halloween Weekend”
• 2/9/23 – “Update on April 29 Hate Crime and Commitments to Strengthen Our Response to Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents”
• 1/30/23 – “Register Now for Active Shooter Response Training”