Whether you’re heading to a late-night study session, returning from an event, or simply crossing campus after dark, Drake offers several resources designed to help you stay safe.
Drake Guardian: Safety in Your Pocket
The Drake Guardian App is one of the most valuable personal safety tools available to the Drake community. More than 2,500 students, faculty, and staff members are currently registered users.
Features include:
- Safety timers
- Emergency contacts
- Friend and family monitoring
- Location sharing
- Campus safety information
- Emergency response tools
The app is especially useful when traveling alone, exercising outdoors, or walking across campus at night. The safety timer feature allows trusted contacts and Public Safety to be notified if you do not arrive safely at your destination.
Safe Ride Bus Service
If you’re uncomfortable walking across campus during evening hours, consider using the Safe Ride Bus Service. Safe Ride provides a convenient alternative to walking alone and can be an excellent option during bad weather, late-night hours, or whenever you simply want an added layer of safety.
Blue Light Emergency Phones
Blue Light emergency phones are located throughout campus and provide a direct connection to Drake Public Safety.
Use a Blue Light phone when:
- You need immediate assistance.
- You are concerned about suspicious activity.
- You feel unsafe walking alone.
- You need to report an emergency.
- Your mobile phone is unavailable.
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the locations of Blue Light phones along the routes you regularly travel.
We’re Here to Help
If you have a safety concern, need assistance, or want to discuss an issue with an officer, please contact Drake Public Safety.
Drake Public Safety
Email: publicsafety@drake.edu (not monitored 24/7 and not for emergencies)
Emergency or Immediate Assistance:
515-271-2222
By using the Drake Guardian App, taking advantage of Safe Ride, utilizing Blue Light phones, and making smart choices during nighttime travel, we can continue to make Drake University a safe, welcoming, and supportive community for everyone.
— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services