I hope everyone had an enjoyable Homecoming week. As we continue to embrace our Cougar pride, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- Over the next several weeks, our “Lock It or Lose It” bicycle display will appear in different locations on campus. This display demonstrates the most effective way to secure a bicycle. Securing the bike frame and tire to the rack with a sturdy u-lock greatly reduces the chances of your bike being stolen. Bicycle larcenies continue to be one of the top crimes on the College of Charleston campus. As a reminder, it is important that your bicycle is locked to a designated bicycle rack at all times, even if you are just stepping away for a moment. For more information on how to properly secure your bicycle, stop by Public Safety, or visit this webpage.
- 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.
Tuesday, February 16th at 9:30 AM, Stern Center Room 201
Tuesday, March 1st at 10:00 AM, Stern Center Room 201
Wednesday, March 23rd at 3:00 PM, Stern Center Room 409
Thursday, April 7th at 12:00 PM, Stern Center Room 409
Monday, April 11th at 1:00 PM, Stern Center Room 201
- Public Safety will be hosting several town hall meetings for the campus community during the spring semester. This is a great opportunity to meet your Public Safety officers, ask questions, and share suggestions, comments, and concerns. Campus community members are always encouraged to actively participate in safety and security around campus. This semester, we will be offering four sessions:
Tuesday, February 23rd at 12:00 PM, Stern Center Room 206 (students)
Wednesday, February 24th at 12:00 PM, Stern Center Room 206 (faculty)
Thursday, February 25th at 10:00 PM, Stern Center Room 206 (staff)
Wednesday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM, Stern Center Room 206 (students)
- The College of Charleston has several resources to help students, faculty, and staff travel safely around campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is available 24/7 to provide safety escorts to all students, faculty, and staff. The Cougar Shuttle is available for off-campus transportation on the downtown peninsula seven nights a week from 11:00 P.M. – 3:00 A.M., during the fall and spring semesters. For more resources and safety tips, please click here.
- If you have not already done so, please review our Guide to Safer Living, which provides an excellent overview of safety and security at the College of Charleston. If you have any questions after reviewing the content, please contact me at sloanm1@cofc.edu, or visit Public Safety’s webpage.
- 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:
Public Safety has received reports of a possible phone scam affecting the local area. The caller identifies himself as a Microsoft employee and claims they have detected a problem with the customer’s computer. The caller has a strong accent, possibly from India. If you receive a call of this nature, hang up immediately and notify Public Safety.
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
