The fall semester is quickly coming to an end. With finals just around the corner, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- In light of recent events around the country, Public Safety encourages campus community members to take advantage of our active shooter training. This 45 minute course covers the following: 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. Public Safety is available to present this training to staff or group meetings, or individual classes.
- With assistance from the Law Enforcement Officer Naloxone Training Program, fifteen of our Public Safety Officers have been trained and carry the life saving drug Narcan. Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids, such as heroin and narcotic pharmaceutical drugs, and reverses an The training focused on the identification, treatment, and reporting of drug overdoses attributed to opiates. All Public Safety Officers will receive this training and carry Narcan by mid January.
- As we are experiencing cooler temperatures, our fire inspectors have important information to pass along regarding the use of portable space heaters. For students living in on-campus housing, at no time should portable space heaters be used as a supplementary source to replace a buildings fixed heating system. Although the use of space heaters in faculty and staff offices is discouraged, the International Fire Code specifies that portable, electric space heaters shall not be operated within 3 feet of any combustible materials. In addition, the space heater must be plugged directly into an outlet, or an approved power strip. Remember, 79% of fire deaths can be attributed to space heater sources of fire.
- Recently, there have been several burglaries in the area immediately adjacent to the campus. Whether you live on or off campus, please make sure that you are locking all doors, windows, and other points of entry into the residence. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious, notify Public Safety or local law enforcement immediately.
- Finals week is a high stress time for all college students. Counseling and Substance Abuse Services is a free on-campus resource available to students experiencing issues such as stress and anxiety. CASAS also offers support through the Cougar Counseling Team, which is available Monday-Thursday, from 4pm – 9pm through the school year, and no appointment is needed. Students can also find additional support through the Center for Student Learning’s Cougar Countdown activities. If you are concerned about the well-being of a student, you may submit an anonymous FAST report. These forms may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students.
- With finals quickly approaching, and our hours of daylight diminishing earlier, now is an excellent time to review some vital safety information for those commuting on or near the College of Charleston campus. 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.
- 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:
With the holidays around the corner, many of us will be making online purchases. Never buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn’t have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. You’ll know if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL in the address bar.
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
