The continued commitment to the safety of our campus community
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2025) — As students return to the University of Kentucky this fall, campus safety remains a top priority. UK Police Department (UKPD) Chief Joe Monroe announced a series of new initiatives and resources designed to build on the university’s ongoing efforts to create a safe, welcoming environment for all Wildcats.
Last year, UKPD implemented a number of measures to strengthen security across campus, including:
- Increasing patrols during late-night hours
- Improving lighting in high-traffic areas
- Enhancing security in parking garages and residence halls
- Collaborating with the City of Lexington and local businesses to improve off-campus safety
“These steps were important, but they are just the beginning,” Monroe said. “Safety is not static — it requires constant attention, innovation and collaboration. This year, we are taking several new actions to further strengthen our preparedness and ensure that every member of our community feels supported.”
This fall, UKPD is rolling out new tools and programs that include:
- A state-of-the-art mobile police unit on North Campus near Good Samaritan Hospital
- Additional cameras and upgraded access controls in residence halls
- Permanent lighting installations along Winslow and Scott Streets
- A first responder drone program to improve emergency response times
- Introducing SafeZone, a new campus safety app that provides fast and easy access to help and resources
- Wildcat Ready, a campus-wide safety campaign designed to help students, faculty and staff stay informed, be prepared and take action when needed
“We cannot do this work alone,” Monroe said. “Our partnerships with the City of Lexington, local organizations and most importantly our students, faculty and staff are critical.”
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to download the SafeZone app, sign up for UK Alert text notifications and review the university’s Emergency Response Guide to familiarize themselves with resources available in case of an emergency.
For more information about campus safety programs and resources, visit go.uky.edu/WildcatReady.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.