The spring 2016 semester is off to a strong start. As everyone continues to settle in, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- As we enter a new semester, now is a good time to review the City of Charleston’s bicycle and skateboard regulations. Public Safety Officers are issuing citations to bicyclists and skateboarders violating these ordinances. This includes: riding on a sidewalk, traveling the wrong way down a one way street, disregarding traffic control devices, etc. As a reminder, bicyclists and skateboarders should ride with the flow of traffic, and obey all traffic signs and signals. Please review the ordinances relating to bicycles and skateboards here.
- The Department of Public Safety will be offering two R.A.D. classes in the spring 2016 semester. R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) is a series of self-defense classes for women. This program will be open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Please stop by Public Safety headquarters or email RAD@cofc.edu to sign up. Below are the dates and times for the spring classes:
|
Session One |
Session Two |
| 2/1/16 5pm-8pm | 3/15/16 5pm-8pm |
| 2/3/16 5pm-8pm | 3/17/16 5pm-8pm |
| 2/8/16 5pm-8pm | 3/22/16 5pm-8pm |
| 2/10/16 5pm-8pm | 3/24/16 5pm-8pm |
- The Department of Public Safety will be offering training on how to respond if you are encountered with an active shooter. This 45 minute presentation will cover: the definition of an active shooter; statistical realities behind active shooter incidents; how to identify concerning or suspicious behavior; reporting methods; main options for civilian self-defense; and what to do when law enforcement arrives on scene. This training is open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Spring 2016
Tuesday February 16th at 9:30 am Stern 201
Monday March 1st at 10 am Stern 201
Wednesday March 23rd at 3 pm Stern 409
Thursday April 7th at 12 pm Stern 409
Monday April 11th at 1 pm Stern 201
- Most of you have probably seen information sent from Public Safety titled, “Timely Warning.” What exactly are these notifications and how are they different from a Cougar Alert?
- Timely Warning– Narrow focus on Clery crimes. Timely warnings are triggered by crimes that have already occurred but represent an ongoing threat. A Timely Warning is issued for any Clery crime committed in Clery geography that is reported to campus security authorities or a local law enforcement agency and is considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. Warnings are issued as soon as the pertinent information is available.
- Cougar Alert– Wide focus on any significant emergency or dangerous situation (may include Clery crimes). An emergency notification is triggered by an event that is currently occurring on or imminently threatening the campus. Emergency notification procedures are initiated for any significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus.
- Be social with us! If you have not already, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for departmental news, upcoming events, and other important information. If you are having trouble accessing our pages, please make sure you are signed into your social media account.
Crime Prevention Tip:
Many more people start going to the gym or other fitness centers in January. Often they leave their wallets, purses, phones, or computers in cars while they work out. Some put their keys on hooks at the front counter rather than keeping up with them. These practices result in added opportunities for thieves to steal items or even entire vehicles.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Take Care and Be Safe,
PSO Madeline M. Sloan
Crime Prevention Specialist
Department of Public Safety
Office of the President
89 St. Philip Street
Charleston, SC 29424
(843)953-5609
