Public Safety

Campus Security Report

The Campus Security Act
The Campus Security Act requires colleges and universities to:
• Publish an annual report every year by October 1 that contains three years of campus crime statistics and certain campus security policy statements;
• Disclose crime statistics for the campus, public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus, and certain non-campus facilities and remote classrooms. The statistics must be gathered from campus police or security, local law enforcement, and other College officials who have “significant responsibility for student and campus activities;”
• Provide “timely warning” notices of those crimes that have occurred and pose an ongoing “threat to students and employees;” and
• Disclose in a crime log “any crime that occurred on campus…or within the patrol jurisdiction of the campus police or campus security department and is reported to the campus police or security department.”

The Camden County College Department of Public Safety is responsible for preparing and distributing this report. We work with many other departments and agencies, such as the Dean of Students; and the Gloucester Township, Camden, and Cherry Hill Police Departments to compile this information.

We encourage members of the college community to use this report as a guide for safe practices on and off campus. It is available here. For a paper copy, contact the Department of Public Safety at 856-227-7200 x4288 or e-mail pwilson@camdencc.edu.

The Department of Public Safety: Who we are

Located at each campus-Wilson Center at the Blackwood Campus, Camden Technology Center Lobby at the Camden Campus, and at the Rohrer Center-First Floor in Cherry Hill, the Department of Public Safety is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (Rohrer Center is staffed only during the open hours). There are direct emergency phones located at each campus that are clearly identified, and can be called from any extension by dialing 7777 at Blackwood; 1393 at Camden; and 6666 at Rohrer.

The department consists of professional campus public safety officers and other team members dedicated to providing first-class service to the community. Officers patrol the campus of foot, by bicycle, and in marked vehicles. The communications center is staffed with trained and certified communications officers who answer calls for service, dispatch officers and other emergency services to incidents.

Campus security policies
All public safety officers attend mandatory initial training, formulated by the State of New Jersey College and University Public Safety Association. This program provides officers with a basic orientation to the theories of campus law enforcement and security. All officers participate in minimum 40 hour field training and evaluation program to further orient them to public safety at Camden County College.

Interagency Cooperation
The Department of Public Safety works closely with the local police departments, and relies on these relationships for support on several levels. In addition to passing critical information among one another, the Department of Public Safety has immediate contact with the Gloucester Township, Camden, and Cherry Hill 9-1-1 Centers. This arrangement gives us immediate access to support from the local police departments, as well as the fire and EMS agencies in those jurisdictions.

Reporting criminal incidents and other emergencies
We encourage all students, employees, and visitors to promptly report criminal incidents, accidents, and other emergencies to the Department of Public Safety by dialing 7777 (Blackwood), 1393 (Camden), and 6666 (Rohrer-Cherry Hill). The college has installed emergency (red) phones and two way call boxes (blue light phones) which can immediately connect with our Communications Center.

Monitoring and recording criminal activity
The College relies on its close working relationships with local law enforcement agencies to receive information about incidents that students may be involved in. The Department of Public Safety will actively investigate any crime information it receives concerning or involving a member of the campus community. If the college is notified of a situation in which a member of the college community is a victim of a crime, the department may issue a Campus Safety Alert, detailing the incident and providing tips so that other community members may avoid similar incidents.

Access to campus facilities
Access to campus building and grounds is a privilege extended to students, faculty, staff, and authorized guests. The college encourages and open environment with limited constraints to ensure adequate protection of all members of the community. Most campus facilities are open during the weekday business hours. Individuals who wish access during non-business hours or for special events should contact the appropriate department administrator or the Department of Public Safety.

Security considerations in the maintenance of campus facilities
Camden County College maintains a strong commitment to campus safety and security. Exterior lighting and landscape control is a critical part of that commitment. Representatives from various campus departments conduct security surveys to identify areas throughout campus where lighting appears inadequate or that may require additional landscape control. Department members conduct routine checks of lighting on campus during regularly assigned patrol duties. If lights are discovered to be out or dim, officers will initiate an immediate work order, which is acted upon by a representative of the appropriate maintenance office, usually within 24 hours or the next business day. We encourage community members to report any deficiency in lighting to the Public Safety Department.
Maintenance staff is available to respond to calls for service for unsafe facility conditions or those raising concerns for personal safety and property protection. These conditions also may include unsafe steps or handrails, unsafe roadways on campus, and unsecured equipment.

Campus Safety Alerts

Timely warning notices
To help prevent crimes or serious incidents, the Department of Public Safety issues Campus Safety Alerts in a timely manner to notify community members about crimes in and around our community. Members of the community who know of a crime or other serious incident should report that incident as soon as possible to the Department of Public Safety so that a Campus Safety Alert can be issued, if warranted.

Distribution of Campus Safety Alerts
The department distributes Campus Safety Alerts in various ways. Once the College determines that an alert will be issued, the department e-mails the announcement and posts it on its website. The department also posts alerts on bulletin boards and other prominent locations throughout the campus and at all Public Safety Office sites.

Daily Crime Log
The Department of Public Safety maintains a daily crime log that records, by the date of the incident was reported to us, all crimes and other serious incidents that occur on campus, in a non-campus building , on public property , or within the department’s patrol jurisdiction. The daily crime log is available for inspection at the department’s headquarters. The daily crime log includes the nature, date, time, and general location of each crime reported to us, as well as the disposition of the complaint, if this information is known to us at the time the log is created.

Crime Report - 3 locations

Campus Escort Program
If you must travel alone, regardless of time of day, the campus escort program provides a safe, reliable way to travel throughout the campus. Should anyone desire to be accompanied by a public safety officer to get to their car or public transportation, simply go to a “red” phone, or a blue light phone, any emergency call box or otherwise call direct to the Communications Center. Upon receipt of the request, an officer will be sent to escort you.

Preventing and responding to sexual assault
Camden County College is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which students, faculty, and staff can work and study in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the college community should be aware that the College is strongly opposed to sexual assault and harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by federal and state law, as well as College policy.

Camden County College will take whatever action may be needed to prevent, correct, and if necessary, discipline and/or prosecute behavior that violates this policy and the law. All forms of sexual assault and all attempts to commit such acts are regarded as serious offenses that are likely to result in suspension, required withdrawal, expulsion, or termination. Prosecution may take place, in accordance with New Jersey criminal law, independent of College action.

Reporting a sexual assault
Reporting a sexual assault may help prevent another assault. Reporting the incident does not mean that the survivor must proceed with a prosecution. Immediately following an attack, the survivor should try to write down everything she or he remembers about the incident, including the physical description of the suspect(s) and any further information about the identity or location of the suspect(s).

There are many organizations that support victims and offer options. Beingincharge.com is a website that discusses important aspects of sexual assault, and viewers can hear the stories of two local victims. They tell of the crimes committed against them, their hospital visit, and the experience working with law enforcement officials. Specially trained nurses give insight as to how they work with victims and what to expect at the hospital. A representative from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office discusses the role of law enforcement in supporting victims and arresting assailants. For more information, visit Beingincharge.com

Sexual assault defined
• Any sexual physical contact that involves the threat or use of force or violence, or any other form of coercion or intimidation;
•Any sexual physical with a person who is unable to consent due to incapacity or impairment (including being asleep or under the influence of alcohol or drugs)

What to do if you or someone you know is sexually assaulted
Go to a place that is safe and seek medical treatment. If sexual assault occurs, safety and medical assistance are the first considerations. On campus and in the local area, 24 hour assistance is available. Whether or not you decide to report the incident, seek medical treatment immediately and get counseling as soon as possible.

Do not douche, bathe, shower, or change clothing before seeking medical attention. Preserving evidence is important in later pursuing a criminal or other judicial case. Do not wash sheets or bed coverings where DNA evidence may be found.

Report the sexual assault to the authorities. The more often sexual assault is reported, the easier it may be to prevent it. Reporting the incident does not mean the survivor must proceed with a prosecution. Regardless of whether the Survivor wants to pursue criminal prosecution, she or he should contact the Department of Public Safety, or the local law enforcement agency.

Filing a report with the Department of Public Safety
If the survivor or witness elects to contact the Department of Public Safety to file a formal report of the assault, an officer trained in investigating sexual assault will work with the individual to gather the pertinent information. The survivor always retains the right to decide whether she/he wants to proceed with a criminal prosecution. The officer will ensure that the survivor gets the counseling and other assistance she/he needs. The safety of the survivor will always remain the top priority of the Department of Public Safety members.

Contacting Other Law Enforcement Agencies
Students may also contact local law enforcement agencies. Members of the Department of Public Safety and other College officials will assist the student in notifying the appropriate agency in the applicable jurisdiction.

Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act
The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the college community where information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. In New Jersey, this information is accessible at http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/reg_sexoffend.html. You may also visit the Gloucester Twp. Camden, or Cherry Hill police departments for information regarding registered sex offenders in the area.

Workplace violence
To insure the safety and security of the workplace, Camden County College does not condone any behavior that may be considered potentially violent. Threats and /or threatening behavior, or acts of violence by College employees against staff members, faculty, students, visitors, or other individuals on College property or by College employees in the conduct of College business while off campus, are cause for removal from the workplace and may result in discipline and/or termination of employment.