Press release from the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As the new fall semester begins, the City of Gainesville is collaborating with the University of Florida (UF) to address student needs in the campus area. With City and campus law enforcement operating in nearby jurisdictions, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) and the University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) will continue to work as partners to make the college environment a secure place.

“The University of Florida significantly impacts our community, including public safety,” comments Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. “Knowing the specific needs of students, the staff — and importantly, the parents who trust their children’s safety here — adds a unique layer,” he adds.

For the GPD, this means positioning officers to keep an eye on areas surrounding the campus, downtown, and midtown, which students often frequent. At the start of every academic year, GPD officers walk through neighborhoods around University Avenue, going door-to-door disseminating messages about personal safety, being aware of their surroundings, and traffic safety. They also engage with residents of various apartment complexes throughout Gainesville, handing out safety flyers and keeping open communication with apartment managers year-round.

These initiatives aim to complement ongoing safety measures by the University of Florida Police Department. UFPD and GPD coordinate on specific tasks, such as managing game day events and overseeing activities downtown, although UFPD manages on-campus security. Their efforts include a comprehensive network of indoor and outdoor cameras, 400 blue light phones, more than 2,000 exterior lights, and a set of License Plate Reader (LPR) systems at 32 campus entrances.

University of Florida Police Chief Bart Knowles leads UFPD with a focus on both safeguarding and equipping students with the resources to ensure their own safety, both on and off-campus. “We often say that safety is a shared responsibility,” Chief Knowles states, “and it’s crucial for students to understand this and stay engaged with us and accept that responsibility.”

To foster this engagement, both UFPD and GPD have developed accessible safety resources and reporting systems, available to students on any computer, laptop, or mobile device.

University of Florida Safety Resources

City of Gainesville Safety Resources

• Students are encouraged to contact police immediately when encountering a problem off campus by calling the Alachua County Combined Communications Center at 352-955-1818 (once connected, select “5”)
• In an emergency, always dial 911
• Students are encouraged to report tips by calling 352-372-STOP, visiting the GPD website or the Crime Stoppers website, or using the P3Tips app on an Apple or Android smartphone
• The Downtown Ambassador Program offers safety escorts seven days a week in Downtown and the West University Avenue Corridor; to request a safety escort call 352-710-6406
• The City has added a public encampment reporting option to the myGNV assistance app, available online or from the Apple Store or Google Play
• Alert GNV sends emergency notifications, timely warnings, and other important community news

The shared public safety commitment extends beyond City and campus police, which both rely on a network of partner departments and agencies to protect the Gainesville community. This includes the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua County Fire Rescue, Gainesville Fire Rescue, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 

Working together as the school year begins, the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida encourage students, faculty, and staff to stay connected, use available reporting tools, and download the GatorSafe and Alert GNV apps — because a secure campus and community rely on everyone doing their part.