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Safety and Security

INTRODUCTION

 

Colby Community College policies and procedures exist for the purpose of providing a basis for quality campus life and for setting a standard of conduct for all members of the college community. These policies and procedures are printed in this publication and in the Student Handbook. For your safety and the safety of others, please read and become familiar with the content of these publications. Safety and security is a shared responsibility. Colby College recognizes the importance of providing a safe and secure learning environment in which the academic and social pursuits of its members can be fully realized. The college has the utmost concern for the success of each student and strives to give each student maximum freedom to live her/his life free from outside interference. With this freedom, however, comes the responsibility of becoming an active participant in the exercise of personal safety. No security plan can attain maximum effectiveness unless everyone does their part to make it work. Safety and security are both an individual and a shared responsibility. Together, we can continue to make Colby Community College a safe and fun place to attend college.

PERSONAL SAFETY REMINDERS

 

 

  • Practice being aware of your surroundings and of the behavior of the people around you. Follow your intuition; trust your feelings about a situation.
  • Be aware of your feelings when you are faced with situations in which you do not feel relaxed or in charge. If you feel uncomfortable, act on it.
  • Be aware that alcohol and drugs compromise your awareness and your ability to identify and act on your feelings. They also increase the opportunity for victimization.
  • Be able to identify your sexual limits; it's your body, and no one has the right to force or pressure you to do anything you do not want to do.
  • In general, the more information you have about a person, a situation, and your own feelings and reactions, the safer you will feel.
  • Practice the buddy system; when working after hours let others know where you are, what time you plan to return and how to reach you and what route you will take.
  • When studying or working late, make sure doors are locked. Avoid using stairs in remote sections of a building.
  • Never prop doors open, especially fire doors, even for a short time.
  • Don't leave your purse, backpack, briefcase or laptop computer unattended or unoccupied. If possible, always secure valuables in a locked cabinet or drawer. Avoid leaving valuables on or beneath a desk.
  • Report suspicious persons and/or activity to campus security, RA's, living center coordinators, custodians or faculty if observed after office hours.
  • Never leave your drink unattended. Because they are colorless and odorless, drugs used in Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault can be slipped into any type of beverage. If you leave your drink unattended, do not finish it. Get a new one.
  • Do not accept drinks from anyone but a bartender or server.
  • Try to attend bars or parties with a group of friends, arranging beforehand to watch each other's drinks.
  • If you think your drink has been tampered with, seek medical attention immediately and request the hospital to conduct toxicology testing.

SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS

  • Be alert and conscious of your surroundings.
  • Always behave in a predictable manner when walking near motor vehicle traffic. Motor vehicle traffic may not expect or see you.
  • Use sidewalks when provided. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
  • When out at night, wear white or light color clothing.
  • Watch for oversized vehicles turning with a wide radius.

SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVERS

  • Always yield to pedestrians.
  • Watch your "blind spot" for other traffic, such as bicycles and pedestrians overtaking you when making right turns.
  • OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT. Driving above the posted speed and/or in a reckless manner can result in your receiving a traffic ticket.
  • Always behave in a predictable manner and use turn signals. Other traffic may not always see you or recognize your intentions.
  • Oversized vehicles must watch for bicycles and pedestrians and other traffic when turning.

MOTORCYCLES ON CAMPUS Any person operating a motorcycle is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the responsibilities of the driver of any other vehicle. Kansas law does not require all motorcyclists to wear helmets but the Campus Security Department strongly advises the use of personal safety equipment while riding. BICYCLE SECURITY INFORMATION

  • Park and lock your bicycle in well-lighted areas.
  • Secure your bicycle to a bicycle rack with a quality hardened steel "U" type lock. Always lock your bicycle by putting the U-lock through the bike's frame, a wheel, and the rack. This is especially important if your bicycle has quick-release tires.
  • If you have quick-release wheels, remove the front wheel and place it next to the rear wheel. Then put the U-lock through both wheels, the frame and the bicycle rack.
  • Avoid putting a U-lock through only one wheel. The wheel can be removed, and the frame and the remaining wheel can easily be stolen.
  • Place the lock on your bicycle with the key mechanism facing the ground. This will make it less likely for the mechanism to fail as a result of exposure to the weather and harder for a thief to tamper with.
  • Avoid using a cable lock, locking your bicycle to itself, or leaving it parked in the same place for a long period of time.
  • Avoid blocking building entrances, ramps, handicap areas with your bicycle.

PREVENTING AUTO THEFT

  • Don't make your car an easy target for a thief. On average it takes less than 30 seconds to steal a car. Give a thief an inch and he will take your car for miles. Here are some simple tips to make it harder for the thieves.
  • Always lock your car, close the windows and take the keys.
  • If at all possible, invest in an alarm system or theft deterrent device.
  • Never leave valuables in sight. Thieves are attracted not only by your car but also its contents.
  • Never leave your car running and unoccupied, even for just a minute.
  • Park in well-lighted areas. The light will help make a thief more noticeable.
  • Have your vehicle identification number etched on the car windows. Drop a business card into your door panels. This may make your car more easily identifiable to law enforcement.
  • Use high visibility theft deterrent such as a steering wheel lock or security alarm.

PROTECT YOURSELF WHILE RUNNING Running is a fun activity that benefits the mind and the body. When you jog, run or walk, remember and practice these simple safety precautions:

  • Run in familiar areas.
  • Avoid running at night. If you must run at night, wear reflective materials. The ability of others to see you at night is directly related to the amount of reflective and light color material you wear.
  • Avoid running in traffic lanes and becoming a traffic hazard.
  • Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted, dark streets and overgrown trails. Run clear of parked cars and bushes.
  • Always carry identification or write your name, telephone number, and blood type on the inside of your running shoe. If necessary, include important medical information.
  • Always run with a partner.
  • Carry money for a telephone call.
  • Always remain aware of your surroundings. Stay alert. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you become.
  • Be confident. Look directly at others and be observant. Most criminals select a victim who acts timid, frightened or unsure.
  • Don't wear headsets. Use your ears to be more aware of your surroundings.
  • Use discretion in acknowledging strangers.
  • Trust your feelings. If an area feels bad or a person makes you uneasy, listen to your feelings and get away.
  • Carry a whistle or noisemaker. If you are harassed or bothered, use the noisemaker to attract attention.

SECURITY AT OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCES Off-campus apartment complexes, townhouses/condominium communities, and other multi-family dwellings pose unique problems. Because of the temporary nature of many residents of rent/lease property, you need to make an extra effort to be aware of your surroundings. This includes knowledge of what measures your landlord has taken on behalf of your safety. Colby Community College accepts no responsibility for the safety or conditions of properties rented/leased by its students. The College expressly disclaims giving any guarantees, warranties or any other representations that the properties are safe or recommended. The College does not approve or recommend to students or others any off-campus rental properties listed. Students living off-campus must make their own individual and personal choices with regard to the selection of living accommodations. HANDLING OBSCENE OR HARASSING PHONE CALLS A telephone call is considered obscene or harassing if it is received at a location where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy and the caller makes repeated calls or makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, vulgar, or indecent. If you receive harassing or obscene phone calls:

  • Report obscene or harassing phone calls received on-campus to the Campus Security Office.
  • Pay attention to any background noises, the caller's sex, accent, speech pattern, or anything else to aid in identification.
  • Keep a log of calls received. Include the date, time and details of the call.
  • If calls are recorded on voicemail, save the recording.

PROTECT YOURSELF WHILE USING AN ATM

  • Avoid using an ATM when by yourself. Either take someone with you or only use an ATM when others are around.
  • Avoid using an ATM after dark. If you must, choose an ATM location that is well lighted and does not have tall bushes nearby.
  • When you arrive at an ATM, look around. If you see anything that makes you uncomfortable or anyone who looks suspicious, do not stop. Either use an ATM at a different location or come back later.
  • Have your access card and any other documents you need ready when you approach an ATM. While you are fumbling with a wallet or purse, you are easy game for a thief.
  • While using the ATM, stay alert to your surroundings. Look up and around every few seconds while transacting your business.
  • Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not enter your PIN if anyone else can see the screen. Shield your PIN from onlookers by using your body.
  • When your transaction is finished, be sure you have your card and your receipt, then leave immediately. Avoid counting or otherwise displaying large amounts of cash.
  • As you leave, be alert for anything or anyone who appears suspicious. If you think you are being followed, go to an area where others are present and call the police.

PERSONAL SAFETY AND THE INTERNET "Meeting" people on the Internet as correspondents is very easy; discerning any real information about these new acquaintances is more difficult. No matter if you are meeting people through commercial dial-up services, commercial or free chat lines, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels, online dating services, newsgroups, or in other ways, you should be aware of the possible dangers of interaction when conversations turn in a personal direction. Here are some basic personal safety tips you should consider whenever participating in Internet communication, particularly of a personal nature:

  • Avoid giving out personal information such as your home address or telephone number to people you meet on the net.
  • Exercise caution when agreeing to meet anyone in person whom you've met on the net. Before you arrange any such meetings, attempt to verify, through a third party whom you know and trust, the true identity of this person.
  • If you choose to arrange a meeting, make it on YOUR terms:
  • Meet in as public a place as possible.
  • Arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting.
  • Bring a friend along for security; consider a "double-date" the first few times.
  • Set your conditions for the encounter, and don't let your new friend change them.
  • Limit meetings to public places until you are comfortable with the other person and certain of who they are and what they want from the relationship.

IDENTITY THEFT A good deadbolt on your door will not protect you from one of the more modern and sinister crimes: identity theft. Here is what you need to know. Someone could steal your identity by:

  • stealing your wallet or purse
  • filling out a change of address form for you and collecting your mail
  • snatching pre-approved credit forms from the trash
  • ordering unauthorized credit reports on you by posing as a potential employer, landlord or even you
  • gathering sensitive information and using it for revenge (former friend, lover, roommate or co-worker)
  • illegally tapping a computer at a business to which you have provided information
  • looking over your shoulder at phones and ATM's to gather PIN numbers (sometimes using binoculars or listening devices)
  • using phony telemarketing schemes to con you into giving your personal data. NEVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE OVER THE PHONE OR COMPUTER.

What can I do to protect my identity from theft?

  • Change passwords and PIN numbers regularly. Do not use obvious codes such as birthdays, names of spouse, child or pet. Shred any paper that shows such data.
  • Carefully review credit card statements, phone and other bills. Promptly respond to any inaccurate information.
  • Always take your credit card receipts. Never throw them away in public.
  • Tear up any offers of pre-approved credit cards. Never throw away the envelope intact.
  • Never give personal information over the phone or computer.
  • Beware of anyone asking for your Social Security number.
  • Pick up new checks at the bank instead of having them sent to you by mail.
  • Never mail bills by placing them in your home mailbox. Take them to a mail drop.
  • Do not put personal information on a computer home page or personal computer profile.

If my identity is stolen, what should I do? If someone steals your credit cards, driver's license, Social Security number or any other type of identifying information about you, that person has stolen your identity. As soon as you are certain of the theft, do the following:

  • Contact the police
  • Cancel debit and credit cards, ATM cards and phone cards
  • Call the credit bureau for a fraud alert.
  • Equifax: www.equifax.com or 800-525-6285
  • Experian: www.experian.com or 888-397-3742
  • Trans Union: www.transunion.com or 800-680-7289

Tell the credit bureaus that you are an identity theft victim and request they place a "fraud alert" note in your file and a statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing existing accounts.

  • Report stolen checks to your bank.
  • Alert the post office if you suspect the thief may have filed a change of address form in your name.
  • Contact phone companies.
  • Last resort changes: new Social Security number and new driver's license number.

The federal government maintains a website devoted to identity theft: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/