September has been a busy month for all of us. We have enjoyed seeing all of you at our various events throughout National Campus Safety Awareness Month. As we continue into the fall semester, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- On September 29th, the Student Government Association will be hosting the annual bike auction. The bike auction will be held on George Street from 11am-2pm. Cash or check payments only. Representatives from Public Safety will be on scene to register bicycles.
- The Office of Victim Services will be hosting the eighth annual No Violence-No Victims Candlelight Vigil on September 22nd at 6:45pm in the Cistern Yard. Two CofC students and an alumna will share their stories of victim to survivor. Stand in support of commitment to reducing and eliminating interpersonal violence. The rain location for this event is the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Beatty Center.
- We have had an excellent turn out for our Active Shooter Response Trainings during the month of September. We will be hosting an additional session on September 30th at 10am in Stern 201. 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. More information can be found here.
- Attention all bicyclists! Public Safety needs your help. Bicycle larcenies continue to be one of the top crimes on the College of Charleston campus. This semester, our officers are noticing more and more bicycles that are not properly locked, or not locked at all. 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.
- Moped thefts, motor vehicle thefts, and thefts from motor vehicles are still on the rise in the Charleston area. Please take necessary precautions to protect your personal property. Never leave the vehicle running while unattended. Be sure to park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving valuable property inside your vehicle. Most importantly, always lock your vehicle. Trends in auto thefts indicate that over half of vehicles stolen are left unlocked at the time of theft. More information can be found here.
- 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:
In the last 6 months, there have been over 20 motor vehicle thefts in the Charleston area where individuals have left spare keys in the vehicle. You may have a key in your car you do not know about. Check the owner’s manual for one in the form of a credit-card-cut-out, or a valet key. “Hide-a-key” boxes are also a problem. As a reminder, always lock your vehicle, remove any valuables, and do not store a spare key inside the vehicle.
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
