Bowie State University Recognized as One of Maryland’s Safest Campuses

Two Reports Evaluate Federal Crime Data from Hundreds of Colleges & Universities

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Already recognized as one of the nation’s best comprehensive universities, Bowie State University is now ranked among the safest campuses in Maryland according to recent campus safety reports that analyzed federal crime data from hundreds of colleges and universities around the country.

Your Guide to the Nation’s Safest College Campuses in 2019 names Bowie State the safest campus in the state. The study – compiled by YourLocalSecurity.com, an authorized provider of ADT home security services – uses crime data that the institutions are required to send to the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The report reviews the data from the main campuses of public, private, and nonprofit colleges and universities that offer two- and four-year degrees and have at least 5,000 students. Out of those 435 schools, the study named the safest campus in each state, along with the nation’s 25 safest campuses.

In a separate study, the Safest Colleges in America, Bowie State ranks as the 7^th safest campus in Maryland out of the 13 institutions evaluated. The National Council for Home Safety and Security reviewed FBI crime data for its ranking, as well as crime data for the area surrounding each campus. The report compares federal crime data from 490 colleges, excluding those with fewer than 1,000 students and others that failed to report significant amounts of data to the FBI. The institutions were then ranked along two key variables: crime rate and police adequacy.

“The safety and security of our nation’s institutions of higher education has been called a top priority by leading law enforcement experts. We are on the right track in safeguarding our campus community,” said Bowie State University Police Chief Ernest Waiters, who leads the award-winning campus police department. “I’m proud to be associated with a university that believes the safety of students, staff and faculty is vital to the university achieving the mission of educating students.” 

Chief Waiters said that the Bowie State University Police Department deploys a comprehensive public safety program, which includes a holistic approach that seeks to engage, educate and inform the campus community. At its heart is a community-oriented policing program, which empowers officers to work with the community to identify issues that affect the welfare of campus community and develop strategies to address these concerns.  

“We believe that having meetings with students, staff and faculty builds partnerships with the people we serve and enhances our crime prevention efforts,” he said. “Regular training with students, staff and faculty helps us to develop a safe community environment.”

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit www.bowiestate.edu.