Campus Security and Safety Enhancements
Personnel and Community Engagement
Hiring/Recruitment
During the 2025 calendar year, University Police Department (UPD) has:
- Strengthened department recruitment and onboarding processes
- Substantially increased department personnel with 32 additional hires, including 13 police officers and seven police academy graduates. This is in addition to the 22 hires in 2024, including 14 police officers.
UPD expects to fill additional positions by the end of 2025.
Community Outreach and Problem Solving (C.O.P.S.) Team
UPD created the Community Outreach, Problem-Solving, and Support (C.O.P.S.) unit, a specialized team designed to proactively address campus safety concerns and build stronger connections with our community. C.O.P.S has attended more than100 community events since the beginning of 2025.
Community Service Officer (CSO) Program
UPD implemented a new Community Service Officer (CSO) program in summer 2025. These seven hired officers, in light blue uniforms, patrol and elevate the department’s visible presence on our Maryland Parkway campus. UPD expects to fill additional positions by the end of 2025.
Strategic Safety and Security Initiatives
Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) was awarded a Department of Homeland Security Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant. The grant supports the creation and strengthening of threat assessment teams and a NSHE-wide awareness campaign. The NSHE-wide case management system for the teams is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Physical Security Infrastructure Investments
Automatic Lock Buttons
UNLV is installing automatic door-locking systems in buildings across our campuses. The project is taking place in phases. Phase 1, which included installing approximately 200 automatic lock buttons near entry doors in select classrooms and labs, concluded in August 2025. The second and final phase is currently underway. It includes installing approximately 200 additional automatic lock buttons and is expected to be completed by January 2026. Operating instructions are posted above each button. An instructional video is available to faculty, staff, and students.
Wall-Mounted Telephones
While telephones are already available in many classrooms, there is an ongoing project to add or upgrade phones to increase accessibility to the devices and strengthen emergency communications. The project is taking place in phases. The current phase is underway and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Completed phases will add phones to eight buildings on Maryland and Medical District campuses, and includes installing 65 phones in new locations and upgrading 64 existing phones for a total of 129 wall-mounted phones. Timelines and locations for additional phases are in the planning stages.
Campuswide Security Systems
RebelSAFE Emergency Phones
RebelSAFE Emergency Phones, also known as ‘Blue Light Phones,’ provide a way for students, employees, and visitors to request help, report a crime in progress, report suspicious activities, or for any other emergency. The state-of-the-art, 12-foot-tall phones are equipped with a 4000k LED area light and a 360-degree surveillance camera and are strategically located throughout our campuses. They also have the ability to broadcast RebelSAFE Alerts via public address speakers. Since the beginning of calendar year 2025, UNLV has added five new emergency phone locations and upgraded an additional five existing phones to the newer model with advanced capabilities.
Supplemental Video Surveillance Cameras
UNLV is installing additional video surveillance cameras in seven buildings on the Maryland and Medical District campuses. These cameras will supplement the existing central video surveillance system. Installation is underway and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Additional locations are in the planning stages.
Video Analytics - License Plate Recognition (LPR)
UNLV is installing technology to detect incoming vehicle traffic on UNLV campuses. The equipment provides a rapid and automated means of threat detection (e.g. stolen vehicle, wanted person, etc.), improving UPD’s response to critical incidents by providing real-time data on vehicle movement. Locations will include all vehicular entrances to the UNLV Maryland and Shadow Lane campuses, along with parking garage entrances. Installation is expected to take place in December 2025 / January 2026.
Facility Access and Lighting
Knox Boxes
Knox Boxes are exterior lock boxes that hold keys to campus facilities. They are accessible to first responders and minimize the need for forcible entry or delays in response. In coordination with the Clark County Fire Department, UNLV has installed Knox Boxes on 45 designated locations. This project is complete.
Additional Campus Lighting
Each year, UPD organizes and conducts lighting and safety walks on the Maryland and Shadow Lane campuses. During the walks, representatives from Risk Management & Safety, Facilities Management, Planning & Construction, Parking & Transportation Services, Faculty Senate, UPD, and the student population walk across the entire site to check that pathways are well-lit, particularly during evening hours. The team documents potential issues and works to have the issues addressed. All repairs from the 2024 lighting walks have been addressed. New lighting enhancements identified in the 2024 lighting walk are currently in the design phase by Planning & Construction.
