Safety Resources

Student safety is the #1 priority of USC. USC continuously enhances student resources and provides outreach to best protect students, in addition to educating students how to protect themselves. Most of the following services are provided by USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) and USC Transportation. Please watch the USC Safety video below and review the other sections for more information related to safety at USC.

Change Your Mindset

USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles, an urban environment with unique characteristics. Like other major U.S. cities, Los Angeles has higher crime rates compared to rural areas. Being aware, prepared, and mindful is key to navigating urban life successfully.

Stay alert, trust your instincts, and utilize campus safety resources. Most experiences are positive when you're proactive and aware.

Reporting Responsibilities

Whether it happens to you or you're a witness, you are responsible to call Public Safety 213-740-4321 or the Los Angeles Police Department (911) to report a crime.

DPS needs your help. Don't let reporting be an afterthought. Immediately go to a safe place and call. Stay on the line and inform the dispatcher of everything you may remember regarding the suspect (clothing, features, vehicle, direction of travel, etc.). Keep the emergency numbers in your cell phone or wallet.

USC Safety & Security

USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) and LAPD work together to ensure student safety. Key resources include patrol services, emergency phones, and security alerts.

More Info: DPS Patrol and Response Areas

Transportation

USC offers various transport options to help students move safely around campus.

Bus Map & Schedules
Track a Bus
Free Lyft Rides - Available at UPC and HSC within a geofenced area and time frame.
Parking on Campus

Mobile "LiveSafe" App

The LiveSafe App enhances security with features such as:

Emergency calls to DPS or 911
Anonymous reporting of safety concerns
"Safewalk" feature for friends to track your journey

Emergency "Blue Light" Phones

Blue light phones are placed across UPC and HSC campuses for emergencies, escort requests, and reporting suspicious activity.

Map of phone locations

TrojansAlert

Receive USC emergency notifications by signing up for TrojansAlert.

Bike Registration

Registering your bike helps DPS recover it if lost or stolen. Register your bicycle here (free of charge).

Laptop Recovery

Get laptop recovery software for USC students, faculty, and staff.
Free laptop cable locks are available at Leavey Library's circulation desk.

Lost and Found

Lost something? Call (213) 821-2626 (UPC) or (323) 442-1200 (HSC), or check DPS Lost & Found.

Campus Access Policy

USC reserves the right to restrict access to campus. Review guest policies here.

DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment conducive to learning.

300+ DPS and LAPD officers patrol and respond to calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
UPC Patrol and Response Area Map
100+ cameras are installed around campus and monitored by officers all the time.
Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) Security Ambassadors as known as “Yellow Jackets” are standing at most of the road crossings 24/7 to observe and report suspicious or criminal activities and to also serve as a point of contact for students and visitors.

Safety Orientation

Safety Orientation is part of every semester’s Orientation for all USC students. We encourage all graduate students to attend the Viterbi Orientations to learn about campus services, student life, university policies, and resources available to you.

Viterbi New Students Safety Workshop

Viterbi provides a safety workshop to all incoming graduate students at the beginning of Spring and Fall semester. It is a good opportunity for students to ask questions and communicate directly with DPS officers. Please look out for the Safety Workshop invitations in your email inbox. And here is a recording of one of the workshops:

Viterbi Safety Workshop

Active Shooter Training

Tailored for students, faculty and staff, this training addresses what to do in the event of an active shooter on campus and discusses the options of “Run, Hide or Fight.” The presentation takes about an hour.

For more information contact our training coordinator, Sergeant Pablo Ayala at (213) 740-6419 or PAyala@dps.usc.edu.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Training for Women

RAD is designed to teach women defensive concepts and techniques useful against various types of assault utilizing easy, effective, and proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. The RAD System is a comprehensive, internationally recognized course taught by nationally-certified instructors.

Published on June 4th, 2017Last updated on March 26th, 2025