News

Howard University Hosts Annual Safety Fair

Brooke Brinson
Aug 18, 2023 3 minutes

DPS Chief of Police Marcus Lyles addresses students on the Yard

WASHINGTON- Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to come and learn about a range of safety topics and participate in live self-defense demonstrations at the annual Bison Week Safety Fair hosted by Howard University’s Department of Public Safety on the Yard.

Students said they were most excited to receive new POM, or Peace of Mind devices. The device, with the click of a button, can call campus police if on campus and local police if off campus.

“I was scared to go out at night, but with the POM device I’m feeling better about moving safely through and around campus,” said Taliyah Dawson, an incoming freshman from Michigan.

At the fair, Dawson took her time to learn more about the security protocols Howard University has in place and felt lucky to get her hands on the POM device. POMs were given out free to all students, faculty, and staff. Howard students can pick them up in the Blackburn Student Center every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the academic year.

More than a dozen departments and companies participated in the safety fair and were excited to share a wealth of knowledge with the Howard University community. Topics discussed among students and Howard’s Department of Public Safety included, ride-sharing safety, cyber security, CPR, sexual health, and more.

Marcus E. Lyles, Howard University chief of police, spoke with individual students at the fair about their safety concerns.

“I hope students come away from today’s event feeling empowered and with a better understanding of the services available.” It is his hope that students can connect with the Department of Public Safety and work collectively to keep the campus safe.

The offices in attendance included the Office of Student Advocacy and Support, Office of Student Accessibility, Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, Howard University College of Medicine, Community and Family Medicine, Chase Bank, HU Department of Public Safety, Fisher Scientific, University Counseling Services, Division of Student Affairs, Grub Hub, US Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inter-Personal Violence, Crime Victims Compensation Program, Howard University Urban Health Initiative, and DC Metropolitan Police Department.

###

About Howard University 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced two Schwarzman Scholars, four Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American PhD. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu. 