Safety resources and reminders for students, faculty and staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2026) — As Wildcats return to campus for the Spring 2026 semester, safety and well-being remain a top priority for the University of Kentucky Police Department (UKPD).
Being Wildcat Ready means staying informed, prepared and looking out for one another. Safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we make our campus safer and stronger every day.
Walk with confidence
- Be alert, trust your instincts and plan your route before you go.
- Use well-lit walkways at night and consider traveling with friends.
- If you’re walking alone, use the SafeZone app’s Check‑In feature to request a virtual police escort — help is just a tap away.
Campus safety partnerships and enhancements
UKPD continues working closely with the city of Lexington and other local partners to strengthen safety on campus and in surrounding areas.
Recent and ongoing enhancements include expanded lighting in high‑traffic areas, increased patrols and continued investments in state-of-the-art safety technology like enhanced access control, cameras and a drone as first responder program.
Stay connected and Wildcat Ready with these resources:
- SafeZone app: Fast access to UKPD, safety features and emergency help right from your phone.
- UK Alert: The official emergency notification system. All UK community members with an official UKY email address will receive UK Alerts via email. To receive UK Alerts via phone call and/or text:
- Students: By entering your phone number in myUK, you are automatically signed up to receive alerts via phone call and text.
- Faculty and staff: Download the SafeZone app and enter a valid phone number to sign up for UK Alerts via phone call and text.
- Parents, families and community members: To sign up for UK Alerts via text, send “UKY-FAMILY” or “UKY-COMMUNITY” to 59713.
- Emergency Response Guide: Know how to respond to emergencies — from severe weather to active threats — and what actions to take.
Support for survivors of interpersonal violence
If you or someone you care about experiences sexual assault or interpersonal violence, you are not alone — support is available and confidential:
- VIP Center: Provides confidential advocacy and support for individuals impacted by interpersonal violence, and can be reached at 859-257-3574 or vipcenter@uky.edu
- UKPD Special Victims Unit: Compassionate advocacy, including assistance with reporting and navigating the justice system. You can reach the UKPD SVU by emailing UKPDSVU@uky.edu or by calling the UK Police Department’s nonemergency line at 859-257-8573.
- Remember: It is never the survivor’s fault.
Visit go.uky.edu/WildcatReady to learn more about the steps we are taking to enhance your personal safety.
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.