Archived Public Safety Advisories

On 11/15/19, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, an unknown race male subject brandished a knife in the 3rd floor men’s restroom of the Humanities Building. The reporting party, who wished to remain anonymous, advised that between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, he was in the 3rd floor men’s restroom when he was confronted by an unknown race male who displayed a folding pocket style knife. According to the victim, the unknown race male was reportedly wearing a bandana concealing his face. The victim further described the male to be in his 30s, wearing blue jeans and white tennis shoes. During the confrontation, the reporting party alleged that sexual misconduct may have occurred but refused to provide any further information describing the misconduct.

No additional details were provided to UPD by the reporting party. Based on the limited information and reporting party’s apprehensiveness to provide any further details at this moment we are unable to determine if a crime occurred.

On 09/27/19 at 10:31 AM, a female SFSU student was walking in the area of Gonzalez Drive and Arballo Drive. As she was walking, a silver sedan drove alongside of her and stopped abruptly in the street. Three unknown males exited the vehicle, at which point the student ran to a nearby Park Merced employee. The subjects then fled the area in the vehicle. The female student did not report any demands from the subjects. The San Francisco Police Department is investigating the incident and should be contacted if you have further information on this incident.

If anyone has information on other criminal incidents, please come forward and contact the San Francisco State University Police Department at (415) 338-2222 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 338-3030.

On Saturday, August 24, 2019, at 5:49 PM, SFPD responded to a robbery in the area of Stonestown Mall (Winston Dr. & Buckingham Dr.).  There were six suspects when this occurred and they were described as male Juveniles.  If you have witnessed this crime, or have information about this crime please call SFPD.

As this new semester is upon us please stay extra vigilant about your surroundings and your safety.  When possible walk with a friend or call for a SafeWalk from UPD that will walk with you. SafeWalk can be reached at (415) 338-7200.  

On Thursday March 14, multiple false fire alarms were activated.  The fire alarms caused a full response from UPD, which made officers unavailable to respond to emergencies. While officers were handling false fire alarms, an SFSU student was hit by a vehicle and injured while crossing 19th Avenue. UPD officers were unable to respond and assist SFPD with our injured student due to these alarms. False fire alarms greatly delay emergency help to our SFSU community.

Pulling a fire alarm when there is no emergency is a crime per 148.4 of the Penal Code and is a misdemeanor; if someone gets injured during the false alarm, then the crime becomes a felony.     

UPD is actively investigating the false fire alarm activations from yesterday. Anyone with information about these crimes is strongly encouraged to contact UPD at (415) 338-7200.

On Tuesday, May 01, 2018, at 1:40 P.M., a male victim was using the restroom on the third floor of the Humanities Building.  A male suspect in the adjacent stall dropped to his knees and exposed the tip of his semi-erect penis underneath the dividing stall wall and ensued to masturbate. The victim yelled at the suspect, who apologized and got off the floor. The victim exited the bathroom and waited for the suspect outside the bathroom for approximately five minutes before leaving the area. The suspect did not leave the bathroom during that time. The suspect has not been identified.

As a reminder, UPD encourages students, staff and faculty to utilize the CARE (Campus Alliance for a Risk-Free Environment) free SafeWalk Service as part of a personal safety management plan. Call (415) 338-7200 to arrange for an SafeWalk.  They are available from 4:30-11:30pm M-F. UPD officers are available when CARE members are not on duty.

Below is a list of tips we recommend to ensure your security and that of the community.

Risk Reduction Measures

• Be aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
• If at all possible, never walk alone. Try to walk with at least one person or a group.
• Keep your phone on. Don’t let your phone out of your sight.
• While walking, look up, remove headphones and stay alert.
• If followed by a suspicious person, go quickly to a well-lit area and/or group of people.
• Trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable in a situation, then trust your gut reaction and get out of that situation as soon as possible. 

On today's date, 02/19/18, at approximately 3:17 pm, two (2) suspects attempted to enter the residence at 285 Buckingham Way, Apt 805.  At the time, the door was closed but unlocked.  The resident was at home and observed his front door slowly open approximately 18-24 inches, and a black boot step forward into his residence.  The resident grabbed the door handle from inside stopping the door from opening any further and confronted the suspects, asking what they were doing. 

Suspect #1, who had opened the door, claimed that they were looking for a party.  The resident advised that there was no party, and asked why the suspects hadn't knocked.  Suspect #1 claimed he did.  The resident told the suspects to leave, and they walked away towards the elevator.  The resident later advised police that the suspects never knocked; they just opened the door.

The resident described the suspects as follows:

• Suspect #1 - black male adult. 18-22 years old, 5'10"-5'11", with close-cropped hair, wearing a dark colored hoodie, black work style boots, sagging pants, and purple polka dot underwear.
• Suspect #2 - black male adult, 18-22 years old, 5'10"-5'11", with close-cropped hair, wearing a light colored hoodie and sagging pants.

At approximately 3:27 pm, four (4) suspects attempted to enter the residence at 285 Buckingham Way, Apt 601.  At the time, the door was closed and locked.  The resident was home when she heard someone knock on her door.  Before she could answer, she heard what sounded like someone trying to use a key to unlock her door.  She looked through her peephole and observed four suspects in the hallway.  She yelled at them asking what were they doing, and they all took off running.

The resident described the suspects as four black male juveniles/adults, 16-18 years old, with close shaved heads, with three wearing dark colored hoodies and one wearing a light-colored hoodie.

Officers responded and canvassed the neighborhood, including a door to door search of 285-295 Buckingham Way, with negative results.  The victims, as well as residents contacted during the neighborhood search, were provided with crime prevention safety tips.

If anyone saw or heard any part of this incident or may have further suspect information please come forward and contact the San Francisco State University Police Department at (415) 338-2222 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 338-3030. 

In response to this incident, UPD is increasing patrols in this area of campus.  Members of the SF State community are encouraged to remain alert and observant; please report any suspicious or concerning activity to UPD immediately.  If you feel unsafe, contact the University Police Department.

On Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 12:38 am, a male subject was observed following a female subject in the area of 5 Corners (Centennial Village Building C). The male subject was observed masturbating while following the female down the pathway towards South State Dr. The male suspect was apprehended by UPD and arrested for Public Indecency and Exposure.

As a reminder, UPD encourages students, staff and faculty to utilize the CARE (Campus Alliance for a Risk-Free Environment) free SafeWalk service as part of a personal safety management plan. Call (415) 338-7200 to arrange for a SafeWalk.  They are available from 4:30-11:30pm M-F. UPD officers are available when CARE members are not on duty.

Below is a list of tips we recommend to ensure your security and that of the community.

Risk Reduction Measures

• Be aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
• If at all possible, never walk alone. Try to walk with at least one person or a group.
• Keep your phone on. Don’t let your phone out of your sight.
• While walking,  look up, remove headphones and stay alert.
• If you are being followed by a suspicious person, go quickly to a well-lit area and/or group of people.
• Trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable in a situation, then trust your gut reaction and get out of that situation as soon as possible.

The San Francisco State University Police Department is currently investigating several flyers that were placed in and around the campus community by a possible extremist group. These flyers depicted a SFSU community member in a very concerning manner. In addition, the manner in which the flyers were posted, may have caused damage to University property.

The University Police is asking for your help in order to find and locate any person(s) who may be responsible for the incident.

• If anyone has information regarding the person(s) who may have posted these flyers, please contact the San Francisco State University Police Department at (415) 338-2222 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 338-3030.

• Remain observant and vigilant when moving around campus at all times. If you see someone acting suspiciously, call the San Francisco State University Police Department immediately at 415-338-2222 or 9-1-1 (emergencies).

The SF State University Police Department is providing this public safety advisory regarding the numerous auto burglaries in the area of University Park North.

In these incidents, the unknown suspects have gained access through smashing vehicle windows and unsecured vehicle doors. There is no suspect description and at this point and it is unknown if these incidents are related.  

Below is a list of tips we recommend for you to ensure the security of you and your residence.

Risk-reduction Measures

• Be sure to secure your vehicle doors and do not leave valuables in plain site.
• If you see something or someone suspicious, call the University Police. 

The SF State University Police Department is providing this public safety advisory as a reminder to all faculty, staff and students to be aware of your surroundings at all times while in and around the SF State Downtown Campus. Use caution entering and exiting stairwells when fire alarms are activated. Always remember that if you see something suspicious, say something. Below is a list of tips we recommend that you apply to ensure the security of you, colleagues and the building.

Risk Reduction Measures:

• Be cautious when entering the building, especially during non-traditional business hours.
• Be alert and aware when walking in the stairwells.
• Be observant of your surroundings and persons around you.
• Be sure to secure your office doors when leaving and do not leave valuables in plain view.
• Contact the on-site SFSU CSS staff if you notice that any of the stairwell doors are left propped open or if you observe the locking mechanism has been tampered with.
• If you see something or someone that causes concern, e.g., they don’t look like they are in the appropriate place, contact Westfield Security or an SFSU CSS, both of whom are located inside the building.

In an emergency call 911

The SF State University Police Department is providing this public safety advisory regarding an apparent check cashing scam targeting students.

In the incidents, the suspects have approached the victims off campus on the sidewalk of 19th Avenue and Buckingham Way near the Stonestown Galleria parking lot. The suspects state to victims that they’ve lost their wallet or were the victim of a crime and request the victim’s assistance in cashing a check.

When the victims have agreed to assist, the suspects walk with the victims to an ATM or bank where the victims unknowingly deposit a fraudulent check provided to them by the suspect.

The victims then withdraw money from their accounts and provide it to the suspects. The amount of loss is in all incidents has been $500-$1500.

Below is a list of tips we recommend for you to share with our students to help them ensure the security of their bank accounts.

Risk-reduction Measures

• Be cautious about offering assistance in situations like the one described above.
• If an unknown subject approaches you and asks for you to cash a check and then give that person all, or a majority of the money there is a very high likelihood that the check is either fraudulent or stolen.
• These suspects are usually very persistent and will tell you a sad or compelling story about how they are down on their luck and really need your help so be vigilant!
• If you see something or someone suspicious, call the University Police.