Crime Prevention Update September 8, 2016

By | September 8, 2016

Happy September! That means one thing- National Campus Safety Awareness Month. Keep an eye out for emails for upcoming events. In the meantime, here are a few things to pass along from the Department:

  • On September 15th, the Student Government Association will be hosting the annual bike auction. The bike auction will be held on George Street from 11am-2pm. Representatives from Public Safety will be on scene to register bicycles.
  • The safety and security of the campus is a community effort. Please continue to stay observant and report any suspicious activity you may see to Public Safety. Remember, you can report any non-emergency anonymously by calling the Crime Action Line (843)953-4998 or by filling out a Silent Witness form on our website.
  • As a member of the College of Charleston community, it is important to familiarize yourself with local laws. The Charleston Police Department enforces several city ordinances on campus and in the surrounding areas.
    • The Bicycle Parking Ordinance aims to keep sidewalks clear and safe by prohibiting locking bicycles to light poles, parking meters, signs, etc. Check out this interactive map to see where you can safely and legally secure your bike. You may also secure your bicycle to any bike rack on campus. The Department of Public Safety recommends using a u-lock rather than a cable or chain lock.
    • The Skateboard Ordinance regulates the operation of skateboards and designates which streets you can and cannot skateboard on. You can view the restricted streets on this skateboard use map. Whether you are on a bicycle or skateboard, remember to abide all traffic laws, use appropriate hand signals, and keep to the right side of the road.
    • The Noise Ordinance is in place to protect the quality of life of Charleston City’s residents and visitors. The ordinance prohibits “clamorous singing, yelling, shouting, whooping, bellowing, hollering, or other loud, obstreperous, wanton and unnecessary noises” in addition to operating a vehicle in a way that emits excessive noise. The ordinance also restricts playing loud music, specifically between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am.
    • As a reminder, College of Charleston Public Safety officers will continue to enforce bicycle and skateboard ordinances. More information on these ordinances can be found on our website.

 

  • Do you have concerns about a student’s possible substance abuse, mental health, or worrisome/disruptive behavior? FAST is an online reporting tool available to facilitate reporting concerns about students so that specialized College staff may better provide help to students who are having academic, financial, or personal problems that will keep them from succeeding at the College.  To make a referral using the FAST reporting system, please click here. Please be aware that the FAST system is not an emergency hotline. For an on-campus emergency, please call Public Safety.

 

  • As part of September’s National Campus Safety Awareness Month, Public Safety will be hosting several town hall meetings for the campus community. This is a great opportunity to meet your Public Safety officers, ask questions, and share suggestions, comments, and concerns. As always, I encourage you to actively participate in safety and security around campus, so I anticipate a good turnout! All sessions will be held in Stern Center room 206. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Below are the date and times for the town hall meetings:
    • 9/12/16 10am Faculty/Staff session
    • 9/26/16 2:30pm Student session

 

  • 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:

Use good judgement and maintain awareness of your surroundings when attending social events. If at any point, you or a friend feels disoriented or unusually intoxicated from what you have consumed, leave the bar or party immediately. Get medical help if necessary. Read the Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty policy here.The policy grants conditional amnesty from any student conduct action to students needing help or requesting medical assistance on another student’s behalf for an alcohol or drug problem.

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

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