Campus Security

Reporting Crime or Other Serious Incidents

Crime has no respect for individuals. It flourishes in communities, which are inattentive or apathetic in their approach to crime. Every member of the university community has a responsibility to contribute to the well being of the community. No single group or organization can possibly prevent crime on behalf of all. Therefore, it is incumbent on each of us to participate in crime prevention efforts. This can be accomplished by being aware of our surroundings, by reporting criminal or suspicious activity and getting involved n University sponsored crime prevention programs. Crime prevention, to be fully effective, requires active participation, cooperation and the development of partnerships within the University community. Crime prevention begins with you. By working together, we can help to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Additional Crime Documents* - Crime Definitions - Crime Log 2003/2004 - Crime Statistics

REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY BY CALLING CAMPUS EXTENSION 300 

OR 

Newark Police @ 911

The following guidelines may assist you when reporting information to security:

• When describing suspects, notice age, race, sex, height, weight and clothing.
• Compare your own weight and height to that of the suspect.
• Notice unique characteristics--scars, eyes, jewelry, walk, speech or anything else that would help identify the suspect.
• When describing a suspicious vehicle, try to notice the license plate numbers, make, model, color, noticeable damage, decals, and the direction of travel.

The Public Safety staff is accessible 24 hours a day to receive information or provide officer assistance. The department is located Hopewell Hall, room 122. Criminal activity or emergencies (fire or medical) may be reported by dialing 9-1-1 or 300 from any university phone. There are currently 13 emergency phones located throughout campus that can be used to report fires, medical, criminal, or suspicious incidents. These phones are located on each level of Founders Hall near the elevator, in the Hopewell Mall, Hopewell South, LeFevre Hall, the Reese Center and Adena Hall.

Any criminal activity-taking place off campus, in the City of Newark, can be reported 24 hours each day to Newark Police Department. Dialing 911 from any off-campus phone will put you in contact with a dispatcher. Incidents that occur outside of Newark City limits, in Licking County, can be reported to the Licking County Sheriff's Department.

Newark Campus Public Safety seeks and shares information with local law enforcement agencies on a regular basis. This cooperative working relationship makes it easier for us to monitor and record information concerning criminal activity occurring off campus involving students and student organizations affiliated with the University.

By campus phone, individuals wanting to talk to Security should dial 300 in an emergency or 237 in a non-emergency. Off-campus emergency assistance from police or fire may be contacted by dialing 98-911 from any campus phone or simply 911 from a public pay phone.

The Public Safety Office is located in Hopewell Hall, Room 122.

Everyone is encouraged to report violations of the law and campus regulations to the Campus Public Safety Office. Moreover, if a suspicious individual is observed, or an area is left unsecured or in an unsafe condition, this should be reported to Security.

Instances of harassment are normally handled by either the Director of Student Support Services when a student is alleged to be responsible or by the Manager of Human Resources (working with a supervisor) if a staff or faculty member is alleged to be responsible.

It is important that people who believe they have been harassed, or a victim of discrimination, or a crime, feel free to discuss it with an advisor, counselor, Student Support Services staff member or ombudsperson. These people can help give a student support and explore options for reporting and getting personal help.

Student organizations, while on official campus functions, should report instances of crime to the local police and Campus Public Safety Department as soon as practical.

Disseminating Information on Dangerous Crime

We encourage everyone to take responsibility for the safety and security of themselves and others. We promote the crime prevention message through campus programs and literature distribution. We believe that publicizing crime and campus safety information helps make this campus safer. We make timely warning reports to the campus community of health issue or serious crimes, such as murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and rape. These serious crimes are reported to the campus community using "Health Alert" and "Crime Alert" posters, the World Wide Web, the campus newsletter, local news media and/or other mailings. "Crime Alert" posters can be found posted on bulletin boards and entryways to campus buildings.

Policies for Reporting Crimes/Preparing Annual Reports/ Confidential Reporting

All persons are strongly encouraged to report crime to the police. Crimes occurring on campus should be reported to the Newark Campus Public Safety Department (emergency) 740-366-9300 (Non-emergency 740-366-9237. Crimes occurring off campus in Newark should be reported to the City of Newark Police (emergency)911 (non-emergency)740-349-6709.

Under Ohio law, persons who have knowledge of a felony (a victim of or witness to the crime ) are required to report the crime to the police (Ohio Revised Code §2921.22). Failure to report a crime may itself be a crime. You can also report incidences or crime to our public safety officers.

Confidentiality

Ohio's public records law (Ohio Revised Code §149.43) does not permit the university to promise confidentiality to those who report crimes to anyone except counselors at the Student Counseling Services or, under certain circumstances, to a physician or nurse. Some off-campus reports may also be legally confidential - e.g. Reports to clergy or health care professionals.

Reports that are confidential by law will not be reported to the university for inclusion in the annual crime statistics report. Because of the requirements of public records laws, and counselor, medical professional and clerical confidentiality, the Newark Campus does not have a policy that permits confidential reporting of crimes to these individuals for inclusion in the annual crime statistics report.

Crimes that are reported to the following individuals or offices will be included in the annual crime statistics report:

Newark Campus Public Safety
Licking County Sheriff's Office
Advisors to Student Organizations
Newark Police Department
Ohio Highway Patrol
Coaches of Athletic Teams