Reporting a Crime
Whether you are a victim of a crime yourself or witness a crime in progress, please report all criminal activity to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Public Safety dispatch center immediately. Quick reporting allows dispatchers to get the necessary help to the location as quickly as possible and helps officers in apprehending suspects.
Suspicious Activity
Although you may witness conduct or activity that you are unsure constitutes a crime, below are some examples of the types of suspicious activity that should be reported to Public Safety immediately:
- A person trying to enter any medical center building without the proper access card;
- A stranger carrying property at an unusual time or in an unusual location, especially computer, office, or medical equipment or a bicycle;
- A person running around or who appears nervous and may be constantly checking over their shoulder;
- Any person who forces open a locked building, office, or motor vehicle;
- One or more persons sitting in a car which may be parked in an unusual location and who appear to be watching or scanning the area;
- A person who may be exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms or who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- A person (especially a female or juvenile) who appears to be forced into a motor vehicle;
- A stranger who is not visibly wearing a BIDMC employee ID card or visitor's badge, or who refuses to produce such an ID when asked.
On Campus
For crimes or suspicious activity occurring on hospital property, you may contact the Public Safety dispatch center using the number to the right.
Be prepared to give the dispatcher the following information:
- The telephone number you are calling from (if calling from an on campus phone extensions are listed directly on the phone);
- Your current location;
- Your name;
- The type of crime or activity you are reporting;
- If criminal activity, whether the suspect(s) had any weapons;
- A brief description of the suspect(s) (Gender, approximate age, race, weight, height, hair color & length, clothing description, facial hair or visible tattoos or scars);
- If the suspect fled, direction of flight or last known location;
- The response needed (i.e., police, medical staff, emergency code response, etc.)
The dispatcher will be able to immediately dispatch the appropriate help to your location.
Emergency Call Boxes
There are several yellow and red emergency call boxes located throughout the medical center campus including in its parking garages. If you need emergency assistance and are near one of these phones simply press the red call button and your call will go directly to our dispatch center. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with the same information listed above. Help will then be dispatched to your location immediately.
Elevator Emergency Phones
In the rare instance you are ever stuck inside one of the elevators on the medical center campus, simply press the emergency phone button inside the elevator and your call will ring directly into our dispatch center. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with:
- Your name;
- The building and location of the elevator you are stuck in, if known (if unknown the dispatcher will be able to determine your location from the dispatch center phone console);
- The number and condition of persons stuck in the elevator (i.e., if everyone is ok or one or more parties need emergency medical assistance.)
Help will then be dispatched to your location.
Off Campus
Always dial 911 for all off campus emergencies.
