In addition to SAFE-U Notifications, which alert the community to crime that has occurred on or immediately adjacent to campus as defined by federal law, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is partnering with the City of Minneapolis to offer Dinkytown Alerts to enhance communication with the campus community about safety in a limited area of Dinkytown.
When we send a Dinkytown Alert
The purpose of Dinkytown Alerts is to notify the campus community to take immediate action or avoid an area. Situations that are no longer active will not be considered for an alert. The area is east of 35W, south of 8th Street SE, and northwest of the East Bank campus. These alerts will only be sent when UMPD receives verified information from the Minneapolis Police Department.
Crimes that are considered for a Dinkytown Alert are robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, homicide, and an active shooter. Significant incidents such as explosions and hazmat situations will also be considered.
What you need to do
- Students, faculty, and staff must opt-in to receive these alerts through the following channels: text, phone, and email, depending on individual preferences. Log in to MyU, select the MyInfo page, click SAFE-U Alerts page, and select “DINKYTOWN” in the alert area list.
- Parents, spouses, or community members who wish to sign up for Dinkytown Alerts must download the Everbridge app, and enter the keyword UMNDINKYTOWN (case sensitive) to subscribe to alerts in the app.
Please note: Dinkytown Alerts cover areas that are off campus and not the primary jurisdiction of UMPD. They are not required by law, and UMPD receives alerts from MPD as a courtesy. The following factors can also cause delays, inaccuracies, or cancellation of a notification:
- Delay in reporting by victims
- Notifications are not sent publicly when an arrest of the suspect has been made
- Continuous changes in crime information, location of the event, and conflicting reports to 911
- Inaccurate public dialogue regarding the location, circumstances, and level of crime for a particular event
Those who want a more comprehensive set of notifications in Dinkytown or other neighborhoods in Minneapolis should sign up for crime alerts through the Minneapolis Police Department.