Good Morning Campus Community,
The spring 2018 semester is off to a strong start. As everyone continues to settle in, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- With spring break quickly approaching, please take proper precautions to keep you and your valuables safe. When leaving your residence for spring break, make sure all doors and windows are secure. Consider taking items of value with you or secure them in a safe location. If you live off campus in the downtown area, you may contact the Charleston Police Department ((843) 577-7434) and request checks of your residence while you are out of town.
- As the weather is warming up, most of us will be spending more time outdoors and staying out later. Please take a moment to review the Campus Night Map. This map features the recommended route for night travel based on adequate lighting and access to emergency call boxes. In addition to this resource, safety escorts for campus travel are available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors 24/7.
- The Department of Public Safety’s webpage is an excellent source for crime prevention information and other safety materials. Visit our webpage to access the 360 Stay Safe at College videos, or check out our Guide to Safer Living. You can also find information on surviving an active shooter incident and how to handle a bomb threat.
- The Department of Public Safety will continue to offer training on how to respond if you are encountered with an active shooter. The dates of training are listed below. We look forward to seeing you on one of the dates listed below.
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.
Active Shooter Spring 2018
Wednesday March 14th – Stern Center room 201 @ 10 am and 2:30 pm
Thursday March 15th – Stern Center room 205 @ 2 pm
Wednesday April 4th – Stern Center room 409 @ 10 am and 2 pm
Thursday April 5th – Stern Center room 409 @ 10 am and 2 pm
Thursday March 15th – Stern Center room 205 @ 2 pm
Wednesday April 4th – Stern Center room 409 @ 10 am and 2 pm
Thursday April 5th – Stern Center room 409 @ 10 am and 2 pm
- Maintaining a safe and secure campus is a community effort. Do your part by reporting suspicious activity to Public Safety. Describe specifically what you observed, including: who or what you saw; when you saw it; where it occurred; and why it is suspicious. You can learn more about reporting suspicious activity through the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.
- As the weather gets warmer, 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.
Crime Prevention Tip:
Upon returning from vacation, BEFORE you go in the house, do a quick walk-around and make sure you don’t see any windows or doors broken or anything else wrong. If you do see where someone may have entered your home, DO NOT GO IN! Back away and call 911. Wait for police to arrive and clear the interior for your safety.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact the Department of Public Safety with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Take Care and Be Safe,
Robert S. Reese, M.S.M.
Chief of Police
Office of the President
College of Charleston
Campus Safety and Security Area
89 St. Philip Street
Charleston, SC 29424
843-953-2468 (office)
843-953-2105 (fax)
Email: reeser@cofc.edu