Lehigh University:

Safety at Lehigh is a shared responsibility that every member of the campus community takes very seriously. The Lehigh University Police Department is a fully trained staff, certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who receive the most current training available in law enforcement, medical response and other related areas.

Lehigh believes the key to preventing crime is awareness, which is best achieved through education. At Lehigh, university police, residence life staff and students work together to help students and employees take responsibility for their own safety. Together, they form a potent team.

To make the campus safer, Lehigh offers three programs—the bike patrol, walking escorts and the TRACS (Take a Ride Around Campus Safely) van service. In addition to patrolling the campus in vehicles and on foot, three police officers are assigned to our bike patrol.

The escort service provides alternatives to walking alone after dark. The service is designed for students, but it is open to the entire university community.  It combines the use of walking escorts and TRACS van service through the combined efforts of students, university police and transportation services.  Walking escorts are requested by dialing 610-758-1111.

The service operates between dusk and dawn throughout the school year. It provides either a walking or driving escort, depending upon the time of night and availability of student volunteers to serve as escorts. Walking escorts are provided from dusk until 10 p.m.  TRACS vans follow a scheduled route around campus from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., with an extra hour Thursday, Friday and Saturday. After 3 a.m. university police provide escorts.

Students are expected to show their ID cards before the escort is provided. During vacation periods when the walking escort or campus transportation are not in operation, the university police will assist students.  Walking escorts carry a radio with direct communication to the university police base station and a flashlight. For ease of identification, volunteer escorts wear a brightly colored escort service wind-breaker.

TRACS Service provides transportation to and from University buildings and
neighborhoods adjacent to campus. Escorts are primarily for those individuals who find themselves alone after dark and in need of someone to accompany them to their destination. The service is intended to supplement, not replace, individual responsibility. Students are encouraged to plan ahead and make arrangements to walk with friends after dark.