Ohio State to Host Safety Walk for Off-Campus Students

Ohio State and Columbus police will visit off-campus student homes on Nov. 18 to share safety and party reminders.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Safety

Tree-lined residential street of older brick houses with deep front porches under warm late-afternoon light, with a parked car at the curb. — Ohio State and Columbus police will visit off-campus student homes on Nov. 18 to share home safety and party reminders before the holiday break. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ohio State's Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office will host a Safety Walk on Nov. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. Ohio State staff, University Police and the Columbus Division of Police will visit off-campus student residences and distribute Party Smart reminders.

Why it matters

The fall walk is timed to reach students before holiday breaks, when many prepare to leave their homes for extended periods. The walk aims to help residents of the University District and nearby Columbus neighborhoods protect their homes and property.

The office spoke with 1,022 students during the spring Safety Walk, which has been held at least twice a year for about 15 years. The November event's outreach total has not yet been reported.

The players

Ohio State University

Ohio State is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio, and the host institution of the Safety Walk through its off-campus student engagement office.

Columbus Division of Police

The Columbus Division of Police is the municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Columbus, Ohio, and works with University Police through a joint patrol program.

The details

Staff from Ohio State and University Police will walk alongside Columbus police to visit student residences and share home safety information. Officers will advise students to lock their homes and vehicles and to keep valuables and key fobs out of cars. Information tables will also be set up at High Street intersections, including 12th, Woodruff and Lane avenues.

Nov. 18, 3 to 5 p.m.: Safety Walk held at off-campus student residences.
Spring: Previous Safety Walk in which 1,022 students were spoken with.
About 15 years: Duration the Safety Walk has been held at least twice a year.

Seasonal Patterns

The walk is timed to fall before the holiday break, when many students leave their homes for extended periods, and it extends the joint patrol program between Ohio State University Police and the Columbus Division of Police into residential outreach. The effort has been held at least twice a year for about 15 years.

Off-campus students should lock their homes and vehicles and keep valuables and key fobs out of cars, especially before leaving for the holiday break. Students who live off campus can expect officers to visit their residences during the Nov. 18 walk to share safety advice.

The takeaway

Simple habits such as locking doors and vehicles and keeping valuables out of sight can reduce the risk of theft while students are away. Students should check that their homes are secure before any extended absence.

What happens next

The Safety Walk is scheduled for Nov. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m., with outreach at off-campus student residences and information tables at High Street intersections.