2025-06-02-兰德-高等教育机构的安全保障-了解趋势_实践和未来需求（英）_143页_900kb

Safety and Security at Institutions of Higher Education

Core Content

This report, published in 2025, provides an analysis of safety and security challenges at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States. It explores the current landscape of threats and hazards, existing safety practices, and future needs for support and resources. The research is conducted by the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, focusing on the role of CISA in enhancing campus safety.

Main Viewpoints

1. Current Safety and Security Landscape

• Campus crime and violence have returned to pre-pandemic levels, consistent with national trends.
• While some crimes (e.g., motor vehicle theft, burglary) decreased in 2020, they largely rebounded to 2014 levels by 2021 and 2022.
• The Israel-Hamas conflict led to significant student protests, highlighting challenges for IHEs in managing demonstrations while addressing antisemitism and free speech.
• There has been an increase in hate crimes, with IHEs now being the third most common location for such crimes in the U.S.

2. Challenges in Safety and Security

• IHEs face a wide range of threats, including property crimes, sexual violence, mental health crises, and campus protests.
• The unique nature of these threats varies depending on whether they occur on campus or in surrounding public areas, and across different campus buildings.
• Many IHEs host public events, which increases the risk of external threats and the need for community collaboration.
• Resource constraints, such as limited funding and staff time, hinder the implementation and improvement of safety and security strategies.
• Underreporting of certain incidents, like sexual misconduct, remains a significant issue, while other concerns are over-reported due to heightened sensitivities to gun violence.

3. Safety and Security Practices

• IHEs commonly use physical security measures such as CCTV cameras, access control systems, and emergency notification systems.
• Security personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, play a critical role in campus safety, with community policing being particularly important for building trust with the campus community.
• Many IHEs have implemented behavior intervention teams to address potential threats, though methods of referral and concerns addressed vary.
• There is a growing emphasis on mental health support and prevention of targeted violence, especially in the wake of school shootings.

Key Information

4. Research Approach

• The study used a mixed-methods approach, including:
  • A data review of crime statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other sources.
  • A literature review of academic and policy resources related to IHE safety.
  • Stakeholder interviews with representatives from nine IHEs and three national associations.

5. Key Findings

• IHEs are dealing with a diverse and evolving threat landscape, including both low-level crimes and high-profile incidents.
• Collaboration among IHEs, local law enforcement, and federal agencies is crucial for effective safety and security.
• Physical security measures are widely used, but there is a lack of research on their effectiveness.
• Perceptions of safety are influenced by factors such as student demographics, campus location, and state laws on firearm possession.
• Underreporting and overreporting of certain incidents persist, affecting the accuracy of data and the effectiveness of responses.

Recommendations

6. DHS Recommendations

• Create a centralized clearinghouse for federal grant opportunities specifically for IHEs, including targeted support for under-resourced institutions.
• Develop additional resources and training focused on IHE safety and security, replicating successful K-12 initiatives.
• Facilitate information-sharing and collaboration between IHEs, local law enforcement, and federal agencies through best practices and joint training.
• Encourage mutual aid agreements to ensure coordinated responses during large events and emergencies.
• Improve reporting systems to make them more accessible and anonymous, thereby encouraging better incident reporting and response.
• Provide guidance on addressing targeted violence, including prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery strategies.
• Support comprehensive data collection and research to better understand national trends and inform future planning and investment.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a more coordinated, data-driven, and community-focused approach to safety and security at IHEs. It calls for increased federal support, particularly from DHS and CISA, to address the complex and evolving threats faced by colleges and universities. Future research and policy development should focus on improving reporting systems, expanding grant opportunities, and enhancing collaboration across sectors to better protect campus communities.