The Department of Public Safety at Mount Mercy oversees the safekeeping of the campus and its properties. Members of the Public Safety Department are committed to enforcing all laws, ordinances and policies of the state and the college. We strive for a high level of safety services to the college community

The Department of Public Safety is located in Lower Lundy. In case of emergency, persons should call ext. 1234 from any campus phone, or 319-363-1323 ext. 1234 from any off campus or cellular telephone. For non-emergency situations, persons should contact the Director of Public Safety at ext. 1028 or 319-363-8213 ext. 1028.

The Mount Mercy University Department of Public Safety is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to full-time staff members, Public Safety utilizes work study students to assist in parking enforcement and during special events on campus. Mount Mercy operates an administrator-on-duty call system to ensure that administrative support and decision-making capacity is always available. All Public Safety staff members are trained in CPR/1st Aid/AED, emergency response, evacuation procedures and interpersonal skills.  

Mount Mercy’s campus falls under the jurisdiction of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Linn County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety maintains a positive and open relationship with each of these agencies. The appropriate agencies assist the Department of Public Safety in campus crime investigation. The Public Safety department monitors and records, through local police crime data, off campus events sponsored by recognized student organizations.  

The protection of students, employees, guests, and Mount Mercy property is our priority. We provide the following services: 

• On-campus escort program
• Lost and found
• Securing and unlocking buildings after hours
• Assistance with parking issues
• Student education on fire safety, personal safety, alcohol and other drug programs 

Public Safety will respond to any request for assistance. For emergencies requiring outside assistance, Public Safety will request immediate support from local fire, law enforcement, or medical agencies. Members of the Department of Public Safety do not possess arrest authority. Mount Mercy University does, occasionally, hire police officers with full arrest authority (Cedar Rapids police officers) to assist in University functions and activities.

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