Policy 1003 - Campus Public Safety

Section: Operating/Administrative
Policy Number: 1003
Responsible Office: Public Safety
Effective Date: 4/1/01
Revised: 6/1/01; 2/10/10; 9/24/14; 7/18/17; 5/25/22

Campus:LocationPhone number/extension
QueensROTC Building
(168-10 Goethals Ave., outside Gate 6)
Ext. 6281 or (718) 990-6281
Emergency ext. 5252
Staten IslandSpellman HallExt. 4487/4488 or
(718) 390-4487/4488
ManhattanMain Entrance/Front Desk(212) 277-5155

Safety Commitment

As an essential part of creating an atmosphere for learning, St. John's University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure University environment. St. John's is one of the safest campuses in the nation. View our safety tips.

The Department of Public Safety’s primary role at St. John’s is to protect life and property and to deter crime. Many of the Public Safety officers are former law enforcement officers. Their arrest authority is equivalent to that of any other citizen. Public Safety officers have the right to detain an individual(s) until the police arrive to make a formal arrest.

St. John’s Department of Public Safety maintains frequent contact with the local police department (107th Precinct Queens; 120th Precinct Staten Island; 9th Precinct Manhattan and 4th Precinct Suffolk County). The police come on campus at the request of Public Safety for the purpose of investigating crimes. The police regularly patrol the perimeter of each campus.

Public Safety officers engage in routine motorized and foot patrols on a 24-hour basis on the Queens and Staten Island campuses, and provide lobby coverage from 7:00am until 11:00pm on the Manhattan campus. The officers are stationed at various posts throughout the campus. Some of these posts include, but are not limited to the following locations on the Queens campus: the main gate, St. Augustine Library and Taffner Field House. Public Safety officers are also assigned to patrol the Queens campus residence halls: Seton Complex, Henley Road Residence, Century, Carey, DaSilva, Hollis, Donovan, St. Vincent’s, Founders Village and John Cardinal O’Connor Halls. On the Staten Island campus, these posts include Flynn Hall, Mahoney Hall, Campus Center, Main Information Booth, and the rear parking lot. On the Manhattan campus, a Public Safety officer is posted at the main desk. 

For information on crime awareness and reporting obligations, refer to policy #1006, or visit the Department of Public Safety on the web at www.stjohns.edu/life-st-johns/public-safety. Public Safety contact information is also online.

Emergency Phone Service

There are clearly marked emergency phones located throughout the Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan campuses. They can summon the Department of Public Safety, which will respond immediately. The phones are for emergency use only, which can include, but is not limited to: car trouble; injury, especially when an ambulance is required; a reported crime in progress or the potential for a criminal act is suspected; and the need for the escort service. Public Safety is also available to assist persons who have locked keys in a car or need a jump-start.

In cases of medical emergencies, all persons should call 911 and then Public Safety.

Escort Service

If, at any time, a person on campus is uncomfortable going from one campus point to another, or to his or her car, Public Safety provides escort services on the Queens and Staten Island campuses. Public Safety honors any request for this service, supplying an officer to escort the individual to the desired location, including a building, a parking lot on campus, or, if needed, to a car off campus, provided the car is in the immediate vicinity. This service is offered 24/7.

Lost and Found

When an item is lost or found, Public Safety should be notified immediately and the item should be turned into the Public Safety office.

Visit the web page Our Services for a description of the services provided by the Department of Public Safety.

St. John's University, New York
Human Resources Policy Manual