One of Harvard's great attributes is its location in the center of Cambridge, a lively and bustling city. Being in an urban setting can raise security concerns, and Harvard takes every measure to ensure the safety of its students. The University sponsors a comprehensive public safety program that includes a full campus police force - the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) - a walking escort service, a campus-wide shuttle service, emergency phones, lighted pathways, and a computer-card key system operating in all freshman and most other dormitories.
The Harvard University Police Department is committed to assisting all members of the Harvard community in providing for their own safety and security. Harvard's annual security report, prepared in compliance with The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the "Clery Act"), is entitled Playing it Safe, and can be found on the HUPD's website at http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/prevention_handbook.php Playing it Safe includes information about the HUPD, how to report a crime, HUPD's crime prevention programs, substance abuse, sensitive crimes, and other important information about security and HUPD services on campus. It also contains three years of statistics on reported campus or campus-related crimes. A hard copy of Playing it Safe may be obtained by contacting the Harvard University Police Department at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, 6th floor, Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 495-1215.