Incident Description: The university has experienced several incidents of electric scooter thefts on campus in the past few days. Although the electric scooters are secured to bike racks, suspects have been able to cut the locks and steal the electric scooters. Students should take their electric scooters indoors whenever possible or use additional means, like high-quality U-locks, to secure electric scooters to bike racks. Students are also encouraged to register their scooter with the Department of Public Safety’s free electric scooter registration program at https://dps.usc.edu/services/bikes/.
DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: 01/14/2022 7:00 p.m. – 01/18/2022 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: On-Campus at Marks Tower, Parkside Apartments, Leavey Library and Parkside International Residential College
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: None
SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by reporting party):
A description of the suspect was not provided.
If you are in immediate DANGER, call the Los Angeles Police Department at 911 or the USC Department of Public Safety at (213) 740-4321.
Please note that race, ethnicity, gender and/or religious affiliation are NOT considered the basis for suspicion; only behaviors are considered suspicious.
If you have information relevant to the crime(s) reflected in this alert, immediately call DPS at (213) 740-6000 for the University Park Campus (UPC), (323) 442-1000 for the Health Sciences Campus (HSC) or (213) 485-6571 for the LAPD Southwest Division.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues Crime Alerts to the university community, in compliance with the Clery Act, when a criminal incident occurs within USC’s Clery geography and represents either a serious or continuing threat to the safety of students, employees and others.
The purpose of this warning is to aid in the prevention of similar crimes by alerting the community about the incident and to provide information which allows individuals to make informed decisions about their personal safety.
USC Department of Public Safety Recommendations – Motor Vehicle Theft
The following safety information is offered to reduce the possibility of experiencing a crime, improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance and to increase everyone’s ability to be an informed bystander or witness.
- If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM AND CALL DPS emergency for the UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000 or call 911 for LAPD. Do not attempt to apprehend any suspects or perpetrators of crime. Your personal safety and the safety of others around you should be your primary concern.
- Many auto thefts are crimes of “opportunity.” Don’t leave your keys in your car. Close your windows and lock your doors whenever you leave your car, regardless of how long you plan to be gone. Park in well lighted areas. Do not leave valuables and packages in your car.
- Immediately report any suspicious activity on campus to DPS.
Other options to contact DPS, to report crime, ask for help and to receive information:
- Blue light emergency phones are located throughout UPC and HSC. The phones are connected to the USC DPS’ 24-hour communications center and identify the phone location if the caller is unable to speak. The phones can be used to request help, an escort, report suspicious activity and to report crimes. For more information visit: Emergency Blue Light Phones | Department of Public Safety | USC.
- Security Ambassadors: In addition to DPS officers who patrol a 2.5 mile radius around USC’s campuses, USC contracts with “Security Ambassadors” to patrol street corners in nearby neighborhoods and to observe and report crime and suspicious activity. This security force wears bright yellow jackets so you can easily spot them. If you need assistance, look for a Security Ambassador.
- Get a Ride : Lyft is now available at HSC and UPC to cover shared rides. Lyft at UPC is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Lyft at HSC is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday only. Please visit the USC Lyft page for more information: https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/campus-cruiser-program/how-to-use-lyft/
- Verify your driver and car: Once you have requested a Lyft ride, you can view the driver’s rating. When your ride arrives, make sure the driver’s photo, license plate number and vehicle description match. Never take a ride you did not request or get into a car that doesn’t match the details provided by the Lyft app.
- Go the extra mile: The Lyft app’s “share your ETA” function allows you to invite friends to see your trip in real-time. The app will draft a text message you can share with friends that includes your ETA and a link to a live map that allows them to track your trip. Too much effort? Call a friend and stay on the line while you’re in the car instead.
- LiveSafe APP: To quickly make emergency push button calls to DPS or 911 on your mobile phone, download the Trojan Mobile Safety APP “LIVESAFE” from Google Play or the Apple iTunes Store. For more information regarding LIVESAFE visit https://dps.usc.edu/services/safety-app/.
- TrojansAlert: Register for USC’s emergency notification system TrojansAlert t o allow university officials to contact you during an emergency by sending messages via text message and email. For more information visit: http://dps.usc.edu/services/trojans-alerts/. (Please note that students, staff and faculty automatically are signed up for TrojansAlerts.)
