Groups of teenage males on bicycles have been riding around the city of Los Angeles, including the USC community, routinely robbing pedestrians of their phones, randomly assaulting people, and continually violating traffic laws. These bicyclists, who are mostly under 18, sometimes ride in groups as large as 100.
The USC Department of Public Safety is working with the Los Angeles Police Department to address this chronic and challenging problem. Students, faculty, and staff walking off campus should remain vigilant by being aware of their surroundings, avoid focusing on their phones (best to put them away while walking), and avoid displaying any valuables.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download the free mobile safety application LiveSafe on their mobile device. It enables users to report tips, share their location, call for help, and access emergency resources.
Click the link below for information on how to download LiveSafe:
https://dps.usc.edu/services/safety-app/
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.
USC Department of Public Safety Recommendations
- If you feel you may be in danger, immediately go to a safe location and report the crime to law enforcement. Call DPS emergency for UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000, or call 911 for LAPD.
- If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM AND CALL DPS emergency for 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.
- Not every person you meet has good intentions. Be cautious of strangers and keep a safe distance. There is safety in numbers, so travel with friends.
- Avoid using cell phones or other technology while walking as criminals target distracted, inattentive individuals using them.
- Be a good witness : It is important to recall what you observed and provide as many details as possible to law enforcement such as: the sex, race, age, height, hair color, clothing, tattoos, scars of any suspects and a description of the make and model of any vehicle used in the crime and its license plate if possible.
- Do not attempt to apprehend any suspects or perpetrators of crime.
For other options to contact DPS, report crime, and ask for help, please visit USC DPS Report a Crime.
USC Transportation provides options to travel around USC including the Lyft Rides Program:
- Get a Ride: Lyft is available at HSC and UPC to cover shared rides. Lyft at UPC is open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week (*on home football game days, the program begins 5 hours after scheduled kickoff) . Lyft at HSC is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday only. Please visit the USC Lyft page for more information.
- 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.
To receive more information from USC DPS, please register for TrojansAlert:
- 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. (Please note that students, staff and faculty automatically are signed up for TrojansAlerts.
For additional USC Resources, please visit USC Report & Response.
