Editor’s Note: As of June 30, 2019, Case Western Reserve uses Rave Guardian. CWRU Shield is no longer active and should be deleted from all mobile devices. Download Rave Guardian on the App Store and Google Play.
In an attempt to ensure faster responses to on-campus emergencies, the Case Western Reserve University Police Department is introducing a new non-emergency phone number, 216.368.3300.
The police department’s 216.368.3333 number will become an emergency-only contact number.
“Implementation of the new non-emergency number will allow for efficient processing of routine requests while enabling dispatchers to prioritize those calls received on the emergency line,” Richard Jamieson, vice president for campus services, said. “This will result in faster response to actual emergencies and enhance overall public safety on campus.”
Effective immediately, anyone who calls the emergency number (216.368.3333) with a non-emergency will be helped, but asked to use the new number (216.368.3300) in the future.
Beginning July 1, those who call 216.368.3333 with a non-emergency concern will be asked to call 216.368.3300 in order to keep the line open for critical calls.
At least two dispatchers will manage the emergency line at all times.
Police Chief Arthur Hardee said the new number is a necessary change to better serve the campus community.
“We’re going to continue to do what we can to make the campus as safe as possible,” Hardee said. “And this is one of the tools we are going to use to do so.”
Other recent improvements to ensure the campus community’s safety include the introduction of CWRU Shield, a free smartphone application that seeks to provide dispatchers essential information more quickly in cases of actual or potential emergency; the implementation of a crime-prevention program for the northeast part of campus; and adjustments to the Safe Ride program, including online requests and additional vehicles.
The CWRU Police department is encouraging the campus community to start adjusting to this change now in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Website administrators should update any existing information to reflect this change.
For a full list of CWRU and local police contact numbers, go to police.case.edu/contact-information/.