Community Services Division

Welcome! You have arrived at the University of Florida Police Department’s Community Services Division’s page. As discussed throughout the UFPD website, the University of Florida Police Department recognizes the importance of establishing close ties with all members of the community we serve. In order to facilitate the establishment of these ties, the University of Florida Police Department established the Community Services Division.

A Police Lieutenant, a Police Sergeant, and two Police Officers, under the direction of a Police Captain staff the Community Services Division. The division is a specifically designed unit that is responsible for organizing, establishing, maintaining, and promoting coordinated crime prevention and community-related programs. Throughout the year, the officers of the Community Services Division conduct numerous education programs at the request of the community. As discussed in further detail below, the division also has a School Resource Officer assigned to P.K. Yonge Laboratory School. The presence of this officer every day on campus has improved the relations between the school, the students, and the parents. Additionally, our officers serve as the department’s liaisons with various student groups including student-athletes, fraternity/sorority members, and several other special interest groups on campus.

We hope that you have the time to view the information pertaining to our various programs and crime prevention/safety tips. We will continue to expand our sources of information as they become available, so please be sure to check back often.

The University of Florida Police Department
Community Services Division

1555 Museum Road
P.O. Box 112150
Gainesville, FL 32611-2150
(352) 392-1409
e-mail: UPD-CSD@ad.ufl.edu

Emergency Blue Phones Information
As an added security measure, “Emergency Blue Light” non-dial, outdoor emergency
telephones are located at strategic points throughout campus, including all parking garages.

If you wish to see the actual locations of the Emergency Blue Light phones throughout campus, please click on the campus map at campusmap.ufl.edu. Once you go to the map, pleas check the block for Campus Safety and the map will automatically load all the phone locations. You will also see all the locations for the External Automatic Defriblators (AEDs) located throughout campus and the location of the University of Florida Police Department.

All total, there are currently more than 300 Emergency Blue-Light phones available for use on campus. These phones are easily identified by the word “Emergency” and their distinctive blue lights can be seen both day and night.

When the button is activated/pushed or the receiver is lifted (depending on the model of Emergency Blue Light phone) the caller is immediately placed in contact with the UFPD Dispatch Center. In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, the dispatcher will also know the caller’s precise location. These Emergency Blue Light phones are for emergency use only.

In addition to the emergency phones located throughout campus, all elevators in educational buildings have emergency phones with direct contact to the UFPD Dispatch Center as well. These phones are maintained by the Physical Plant Division (PPD) and all provide a system by which one can directly establish communication for reporting elevator or other emergencies.

All non-emergency incidents occurring on campus, including criminal o!enses, should be
reported to the UFPD at (352) 392-1111 (V/TDD) or come to the UFPD located at the corner of Museum Road and Newell Drive.

State of Florida Bicycle Laws
Due in large part to the recognition of just how important bicycle safety truly is, the University of Florida Police Department places a strong emphasis on both the education and enforcement of traffic laws, including bicycle traffic regulations. If you ride a bicycle, you must be knowledgeable of the rules of the road and the traffic laws that govern the operation of your vehicle, the bicycle.

Florida State Statute 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

Florida State Traffic Fines

Traffic violators on bicycles are subject to the same fines as violators in automobiles:

$159.00 for a moving violation

$257.00 for running a red light

$106.00 or $109.00 for a non-moving violations

$57.50 for a violation specific to bicycle operation

Bicycles Are Vehicles Brochure

School Resource Officer

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School Resource Officer

Today, crime creates fear that reaches every corner of our society, including our schools. Many police agencies have formed partnerships with school systems to create the School Resource Officer Program. The School Resource Officer Program places a law enforcement officer on a school campus, making it the officer’s assigned patrol area. The School Resource Officer Program is considered one of the most proactive strategies in community-oriented policing and crime prevention. By applying a community oriented policing philosophy within the school, the School Resource Officer (SRO) is able to assist the school administration in providing the most secure and orderly environment possible.

P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School, a K-12th grade school, is part of the University of Florida’s College of Education. As a result, it is within the jurisdiction of the University of Florida Police Department. In 1996, the University of Florida Police Department assigned a full-time School Resource Officer to P.K. Yonge. This officer is one of the few School Resource Officers in Florida to work in a school that includes elementary, middle and high school students. The SRO is a specially trained, state-certified law enforcement officer who is assigned full-time during the academic school year. The SRO Program is based on a cooperative relationship between law enforcement officers, teachers, school personnel and parents. It develops a positive relationship between the SRO and students.The SRO fulfills several important roles. First, as a law enforcement officer, he/she must enforce the law in a consistent and fair manner. The SRO must take the necessary enforcement actions required to ensure a safe and peaceful learning environment. Second, the SRO serves as an instructor, teaching classes that are many times related to core subjects, such as legal issues and citizenship. Some specific topics presented in these classes include juvenile rights, laws of arrest, search and seizure and laws pertaining to alcohol, drugs, DUI and traffic. Finally, the SRO is a counselor. Being permanently assigned to the school campus, the SRO is readily available to assist students and staff members with personal and school related problems when appropriate. The School Resource Officer at P. K. Yonge is involved with various school activities. The officer’s duties also include providing security at after hour social functions, at athletic events and attending parent meetings. The presence of a law enforcement officer on campus provides opportunities for positive experiences between law enforcement and the students. These experiences can lead to greater mutual understanding and respect, potentially resulting in the prevention of delinquency and crime.

If you wish to obtain more information concerning the P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School, please refer to the PK Yonge home page.

To learn more about School Resource Officers, please visit the National Association of School Resource Officers website or the Florida Association of School Resource Officers website.