The University Heights neighborhood, which borders UB’s South Campus in Buffalo, is home to many families, many of whom are UB employees, as well as students who rent apartments in the neighborhood. Like most urban communities that border a college campus, this neighborhood is not immune to crime and safety issues, but it is generally a safe place to live. Safety and crime in the neighborhood has been proactively addressed in a number of ways over the last few years by UB, the City of Buffalo and neighborhood residents. 

UB takes very seriously any criminal activity perpetrated against or by students, which is why UB and its community partners continue to take steps to make this neighborhood safer. UB’s Student Conduct and Advocacy office has developed a low-tolerance policy for students whose behavior disrupts the University Heights community and results in a student conduct violation.

UB’s annual on-campus crime statistics are consistently very low and, in fact, UB's crime rate is significantly down from years ago. UB’s University Police department is state-accredited and is one of the best campus police departments in the state. University Police consists of highly trained professionals who provide around-the-clock service to the university community.

Over the past several years, UB has invested more than $5 million in security enhancements on its campuses, including new lighting, security cameras and emergency Blue Light phones.  The university also has purchased security cameras in the Heights.

The law allows UB Police to patrol the campus and streets that directly border the campus, but the law limits their authority outside these strict boundaries. UB police officers are, however, authorized to assist Amherst and Buffalo officers during patrols, arrests and investigations, and they often do. To make UB Police even more available to assist in peak times during the semester, the university added additional officers to the 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. patrol on UB’s campuses. This staffing upgrade was made in response to feedback from residents of the Heights and the campus community who requested additional evening patrols.

Improving the quality of life and relationships in the neighborhood is a priority of UB’s community outreach. Working with community leaders and neighborhood residents, UB has implemented several initiatives that are having a positive effect on the neighborhood and its relationship with the university. These include:

• UB's office of government and community relations serves as UB’s connection to residents in the Heights community—offering a central administrative department—providing support and resources to residents. An example of this effort is UB’s “Operation Doorhanger.” Established several years ago, UB provides information to residents who live in the University Heights area with contact information in the event they would like to discuss concerns or opportunities related to UB students. To discuss concerns related to UB students, residents can contact UB’s office of government and community relations at (716) 829-3099
• Ongoing grass-roots collaboration with community groups, such as the University Heights Collaborative, University District Block Club Coalition, Buffalo Promise Neighborhood and the South Campus Community Development Association, to encourage dialogue and creation of mutually beneficial solutions.
• Attendance at monthly Buffalo Police District Community Meetings with the Chief, and the University Heights Collaborative, along with other residents to discuss strategies on how to reduce the incidence of crime in the neighborhoods.
• Creation of free community events, such as the “UB on the Green” summer concert series, which gives neighborhood residents an opportunity to enjoy the UB South Campus and also helps to build good community relationships.
• Creation of the University Savings Card program to encourage faculty, staff and students to patronize businesses on in the University Heights area. 
• Support of community events such as the University United Festival and Crossroads of Creativity.
• Public forums to update the community on the South Campus Revitalization Plans
• Working with community leaders and neighborhood residents, UB students have participated in community initiatives that have a positive effect in the University Heights neighborhood. These include:
  • UB Pride and Service Day
  • Community Day
  • Opening Weekend Pride and Service Day
  • “Saturday of Service,” monthly services opportunities open to all UB students focusing on community projects in the University Heights neighborhood
  • Annual Community Engagement Fair
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
• Creation of a quarterly “UB Neighbor” newsletter, which is mailed to 16,000 residences in the Heights and near the South Campus, updating them on UB’s community-relations initiatives and outreach on the South Campus and in the surrounding community.
• Launch of the www.buffalo.edu/community website to better connect the community to the university, as well as develop a monthly newsletter to inform residents of news and events relevant to the community.  

When student behavior violates the law, it is our expectation that students will face the consequences of their behavior through enforcement of applicable laws and the university’s student conduct process.

Buffalo police department share all reports involving students with UB’s University police which review and forward to UB's office of Student Conduct and Advocacy for evaluation for potential university student code of conduct violations.  

Should a student’s action be ruled as violating the conduct code, student conduct action from the office of Student Conduct and Advocacy can range from mandated drug and alcohol classes and community service hours, to long-term suspension and expulsion.

Students that violate UB's student code of conduct in the University Heights neighborhood may be sanctioned to complete their community service hours at 'clean-ups' in the University Heights neighborhood.