Campus Police is the official law enforcement reporting entity for criminal offenses that occur on the College of Charleston campus and reasonably contiguous college-owned properties. Incidents occurring at properties more distant from the main campus are handled either entirely by the local police agency with jurisdiction or jointly handled by such agencies in conjunction with Campus Police.

To report a crime, fire or medical emergency, call Campus Police immediately (953-5611). The dispatcher who answers your call is trained in handling emergencies.

• Give your location.
• Describe the nature of the emergency.
• Be prepared to respond to the dispatcher's questions or instructions.

In response to your call, appropriate emergency personnel will be sent to your location immediately. For routine information/assistance call 953-4980 or 953-5609. (81B St. Philip Street)

Students who wish to report an incident occurring off campus (ex., downtown, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, North Charleston, James Island, etc.) should contact the appropriate law enforcement jurisdiction for that particular area (please refer to the resource directory within this report). Statistics for crimes occurring at off campus locations within other jurisdictions (not relevant to the Campus Security Act) are published by the appropriate jurisdiction.

The following individuals serve in the capacity of additional campus security authorities:

Executive Vice President for Student Affairs (953-5522)
Dean of Students (953-5522)
Director of Greek Life (953-6320)
Director of Residence Education (953-5523)
Director of Student Leadership Center (953-6356)
Judicial Services for Residence Life and Housing (953-5523)
Residence Life and Housing Area Coordinators (953-7340 and 953-7254)
Director of Student Life (953-5726)
Counseling Peer Education Director (953-5640)
Associate Dean of Students (953-3390)
Associate Director of Athletics (953-5467)
Assistant Provost for International Education (953-5537)
C.A.R.E. (953-3390)

Staffed by two certified victim assistance specialists, the C.A.R.E. program is specifically tailored for College of Charleston students handling the fallout from the victimization (e.g., missed classes, emergency resources, any court involvement). In operation since 1989, C.A.R.E. serves as the College’s recognized entity for channeling student victims or witnesses of crime. Knowing that academic obligations and busy schedules may prevent students from getting the information and assistance they need, C.A.R.E.’s role is to make getting that information and assistance easier. C.A.R.E. offers a wide variety of services at one location no matter where an incident occurs, whether a police report has been filed or you are working with law enforcement.

Crimes occurring on campus property specific to the Clery Act* are disclosed to appropriate campus administrators. Numbers published in the Annual Security Report do not identify a victim or intervention/remedies associated with any victim or crime.

C.A.R.E. intervention is generated through emergency page and team response, walk-ins, and referrals from faculty, staff, parents, students, law enforcement and community resources. A direct intervention process for the offices of Health Services, Absence Memo Office, Campus Police, Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Counseling and Substance Abuse Services, and Residence Life and Housing is standard protocol to help identify resources and provide assistance to meet both immediate and long-term needs. C.A.R.E. works with primary victims, secondary victims (e.g., roommates, parents, friends) or witnesses involved with or affected by the victimization. Involvement with C.A.R.E. is voluntary and offered as an option to engage students who may otherwise not seek intervention and assistance. For more information on the C.A.R.E. program please visit www.cofc.edu/care. (Office 843-953-3390 / Rooms 202 and 203 at 67 George Street - 2nd floor; Emergency pager for team response 843-720-3600).

*Clery Act crimes (murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible sex offenses, incest or statutory rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson and hate crimes specific to property owned or controlled by campus, or the streets, sidewalks, parking garages or parking lots inside the campus and immediately adjacent to campus.

CRIME ACTION LINE

Any crime against an individual or property affects the entire community. The watchful eyes and ears of concerned community members who report suspicious behavior, safety hazards and violations of good citizenship allow a law enforcement agency to take a proactive instead of a reactive approach to safety issues affecting the community they serve. Crime Action Line is available to report anonymously any information critical to the safety and security of the College and the Charleston community. To access the Crime Action Line, dial 953-4998 and leave a message.

Any member of the campus community may anonymously report criminal behavior or serious policy violations occurring on or around campus by accessing the Silent Witness website at: www.cofc.edu/publicsafety/importantnumbers/silent.php. The site offers an online form that is sent electronically to Campus Police for review and collaboration with other offices to determine the appropriate response. Silent Witness augments the services provided that promote both student, faculty and staff safety and quality of life.

A crime or situation that occurs which, in the judgment of the Chief/Director of Public Safety, poses a continuing threat to members of the campus community will prompt a Community Notification. The notification will be posted on the Public Safety website and sent to the campus community through email. When determined appropriate, flyers will be posted within a selected area on campus. Anyone with information warranting a notification should report the circumstances to Campus Police by phone (953-5609 or 953-4980) or in person at 81B St. Philip Street. An alert will provide as much information as can be obtained from appropriate sources without jeopardizing an ongoing investigation or identifying a victim. Information in the alert will include the location, time, date incident occurred, description of suspect(s), if available, a brief overview, and contact numbers for the appropriate law enforcement jurisdiction and Campus Police. The website for Community Watch Alerts is:www.cofc.edu/publicsafety/.

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