Congratulations to all on another successful semester. On behalf of the Department of Public Safety, I hope you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season. As we prepare for winter break, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- Holiday breaks are a vulnerable time for the campus. Thieves take advantage of the decline in foot traffic and overall activity. Please do your part in helping Public Safety protect you personal property over the holiday breaks. If you plan on leaving your bike on campus, it is recommended that you secure it in a highly visible, well-lit area. If you live live in a residence hall that has interior bicycle racks (McAlister, Kelly House), it is recommended that you relocate your bike to that location. Students are highly encouraged to take valuables home with them during the winter break. For faculty and staff who utilize offices, please make sure you are securing your office door. If you have valuables such as phones, laptops, tablets, etc. please consider locking them in a desk drawer, or other secure location.
- It has come to our attention that a phone scam is circulating this holiday season. Scammers pretend to represent a major energy provider and claim that they will cut your electrical power unless they receive a same-day payment. This scam affects businesses as well as residential consumers. There are strict regulations governing the proper shut off of utilities and the legal process includes several written notices sent to you, the customer. If you receive on of these calls, notify local law enforcement immediately.
- If you plan to host a special event off-campus in the downtown area, please be sure to contact the City of Charleston’s Recreation Department for a permit. For more information on the application and approval process, please visit the Recreation Department’s website. You can also access the City of Charleston’s Special Events Ordinance here.
- As winter break is approaching, now is the time to prepare your residence if you are planning on going out of town for the holiday. For those of you residing in the downtown area, particularly students living in off-campus housing, you can contact the Charleston Police Department ((843) 720-2426) if you would like an officer to keep an eye on your residence while you are away. Any faculty, staff, or students living outside the immediate area are encouraged to call their local police department, as most law enforcement agencies offer this service.
- 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.
- 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:
Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home. This may entice a passerby. Keep these items out of view and store them in a secure location within your home.
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
