Often overlooked are the efforts of police to prevent crime by taking a proactive stance. A variety of proactive crime prevention efforts are in use by the University Police Department. Visible patrol units either walk the campus or patrol on bicycles or in marked vehicles. Mississippi State's crime prevention program stresses community awareness and interaction. The University Police Department disseminates materials and makes presentations to acquaint students, faculty, and staff with their responsibility to help reduce the potential for a crime to occur.
Programs range from crime prevention presentations to on-site inspections.
University police officers give presentations throughout the university community, including late night talks in residence halls and specially designed programs for interested campus groups. Topics range from personal safety and residence hall security to date rape and vehicle protection. The importance of citizen involvement in crime reporting is emphasized. Students, faculty and staff members individually receive pamphlets and fliers that encourage crime reporting. Crime prevention pamphlets are provided to all new students and faculty and staff members at orientation programs.