2008 ANNUAL REPORT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
Annual Report - 2008
Mission Statement
The Department of Public Safety provides comprehensive programs, including security patrol, escort, transportation, identification and access services, to maintain a safe and secure campus environment that is conducive to learning, working, living and visiting. A staff of trained professionals, including commissioned special police officers, focuses on crime prevention and investigation, safety education, emergency prepardness, response and recovery. Services are coordinated closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies. Safety education and awareness programs are conducted for students throughout the academic year. The department works closely with other student life services to implement initiatives to support healthy individual and community living and learning. The department seeks opportunities to partner with students, staff and faculty to achieve the goal of a safe and secure campus. Public Safety has the primary responsibility for the personal and property safety program for the campus, but may extend services to Theological College, investment properties and leased facilities as determined and approved by executive management.
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Staffing
Several interrelated functions comprise the department, including the patrol section, which consists of vehicle, bicycle and foot patrol; and the police Communications Center.
The campus Locksmith Unit, a part of the Department of Public Safety, responds to all campus request for locksmith services.
The Communications Center handles all radio communications and calls for service. The center monitors the Closed Circuit Television cameras, the alarm systems and the emergency telephone systems. The dispatcher also acts as a secondary campus information center.
The Investigation and Crime Prevention Unit handles all investigative and crime prevention activities for the campus.
The Campus Transportation Management and Identification Office provides traffic and parking management as well as identification and fingerprinting services.
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Patrol Division
The Department of Public Safety is responsible for providing protection and service to the entire campus community. The shift supervisors generally perform motor vehicle patrol. The patrol staff covers the area in six ways: on foot, by bicycle, in a vehicle, in an all road terrain vehicle (ATV), at fixed posts and at the Metro kiosk (covered 5 p.m. until 1 a.m.). The campus is divided into 11 patrol beats. An officer is assigned to each of the patrol beats during a 24-hour period. The department uses a problem-oriented, community-based philosophy.
Patrol officers are assigned to several fixed posts, the Columbus School of Law and the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center during their hours of operation. During the school year, patrol officers provide coverage at the CUA/Brookland Metro station on the CUA side and the Taylor Street Bridge at John McCormack Road during the evening and late-night hours. Officers are also deployed to Harewood Road and the Seventh and Monroe streets N.E. area when the need arises.
The bicycle patrol officer is a foot patrol officer who uses a lightweight, durable high-tech bicycle. The bicycle gives the foot patrol officer greater mobility. Officers who seek this position must complete a minimum 32 hours of physically demanding training provided by an outside police agency. The training encompasses agility testing, long-distance biking and off-terrain riding, which challenge the durability of the bike and the officer’s endurance. Community response to the bicycle patrol unit has been uniformly positive, and the efforts of the bike patrol officer have done much to further the department’s commitment to community policing.
A campus police officer is dispatched to requests for police service. An event report is prepared for criminal offenses and non-criminal incidents. The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia is immediately notified in all cases of serious felonies.
Patrol officers are responsible for a full range of security and safety services, including generating crime reports, conducting investigations, assisting in medical emergencies, enforcing traffic regulations and enforcing all local laws and the provisions of the university code of conduct.
Communications Center
The Communications Center as part of the Department of Public Safety is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The office is located in 120 Leahy Hall. Dispatchers may be contacted from any campus emergency phone or by dialing ext. 5111 on campus phones. If calling from an off-campus phone, dial 202-319-5111, TTY 202 319-5736. Dispatchers are responsible for disseminating information to officers, directing calls for police service, coordinating emergencies, dispatching escorts and managing the alarm and access control systems.
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Investigations
The investigations unit is responsible for coordinating with the local police on investigations of all crimes, felonies or otherwise, reported to the Department of Public Safety by members of the campus community. The unit monitors each crime referred to the local police through final disposition. With the concurrence of the local police, a member from the investigations unit will notify the complainant of the final disposition. This unit is also responsible for on-campus criminal and administrative investigations.
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Campus Transportation Mgmt./I.D. Office
This office, under the direction of the administrative services officer, is responsible for issuing parking permits and Cardinal Cards. It is also charged with administering a campus transportation program including parking enforcement, vehicle immobilization and shuttle bus operations. The Campus Transportation Management/I.D. Office is located in 121 Leahy Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Fire Safety Program
The Catholic University of America provides a comprehensive fire safety program for the protection of the campus community. An aggressive program, coordinating personnel, electronic and mechanical systems, is implemented to ensure attention to fire prevention and emergency response. Systems are installed, monitored and tested on a regular and priority basis. Campus staffs in Public Safety, Student Life and Environmental Health & Safety, a special department devoted to campus safety issues, are trained and receive continuing education to ensure appropriate prevention measures and response services are maintained. Professional staff and student assistants, residing in the residence halls, participate in required fire safety training sessions, regardless of prior experience.
Program Highlights
- Fire alarms are installed in all residence halls, academic and administrative buildings. Alarm systems are tied into the Public Safety Communications Center which monitors activity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- All facilities constructed or renovated since 1989 have an automatic sprinkler system as part of the project. All current resident halls, with the exception of Caldwell/Seton Hall, have been retrofitted with a new fire sprinkler system and fire alarm to meet current standards.
- Life Safety systems are tested on a regular schedule determined by fire code regulations.
- Annual safety inspections by professional staff are conducted in all facilities, and are in addition to the independent testing of the alarm systems.
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In accordance with the current DC Fire Code, unannounced fire drills, with performance standards, are held three times during the academic year in residence halls and once over the summer in occupied residence halls. Fire drills, are also held once in the fall in academic/administrative buildings.
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Instructions outlining what to do in case of a fire and building specific emergency evacuation plans are posted in all resident rooms and prominent locations in all facilities and reviewed during required orientation programs, follow up safety sessions, and fire drill exercises.
Campus Fire Statistics for 2008
The University responded to four (4) electrical fire incidents in 2008. All of which were minor in nature, resulting in zero (0) fatalities, zero (0) injuries, no occupant displacement or disruption of service and minimal (less than $500) in damages.
2008 fire alarm activations remain consistent with previous years; reporting 45 residential facility activations. Of those incidents, 25 were smoke detector activations from cooking food, 12 were activated pull-stations and the remaining eight (8) were of miscellaneous cause. The University responded to 20 non-residential facility activated fire alarms. Eight (8) of which were activated pull stations, one (1) smoke detector from cooking food and the remaining 11 were of miscellaneous cause.
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Emergency Notification, Response and Evacuation Procedures
The Catholic University of America maintains an emergency management plan designed to address the issues of planning, preparation, response and recovery for all emergencies. During university emergencies the Department of Public Safety provides for the safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors and the security of property. Emergency occurrances, percieved or actual, are communicated or reported to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on 319-5111. In an emergency situation in which the campus requires an immediate response, the CUA Emergency Notification Plan will be activated.
For more information,see the Public Safety Web site, How We Manage Emergencies, at http://publicsafety.cua.edu/emergency/index.cfm.
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Student Campus Housing
The university operates 19 buildings and one group of 25 modular units, with a total capacity of approximately 2,600 residents. Exterior doors to the buildings are locked 24 hours a day. Individual units within the buildings are equipped with door locks. To support its security goals and to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for students and visitors, the university installed a card access system in all residence halls. The Cardinal Card of each resident student is programmed to grant access to his/her assigned building.
Residence Halls are grouped into six different neighborhood areas, each staffed by an Area Coordinatoor (AC) and a team of Resident Assistants (RA). An AC is a full-time professional staff member who lives on campus in a residential neighborhood and is responsible for the neighborhood's day-to-day operations and management. RAs are student residents who are responsible for developing community and promoting a balanced, responsible and respectful residential atmosphere that is safe, friendly and supportive. The crime prevention officer works closely with the residence life staff and schedules regular security meetings in the residence halls. Each residence hall is administered by a staff that includes an area coordinator and several resident assistants. The crime prevention officer works closely with the resident life staff and schedules regular security meetings in the residence halls.
The Department of Public Safety and housing services and residence life work together to develop safety and security procedures and programs with a goal to maintain a safe environment for residents and visitors.
In addition to assuming responsibility for their own personal safety, residents of and visitors to the campus community should note that there may be special rules regarding access to residence halls, including the following:
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From 9:30 pm until 2:30 am, the majority of residence halls are additionally staffed with hall security assistants who are assigned to check persons who enter the premises. Each visitor is expected to register with the public safety assistant and must be escorted by his or her student host while on the premises.
The Department of Public Safety employs a problem-oriented, community-based patrol in all residence hall areas. The system operates by assigning the same officer on a continuing basis to the same area. Officers provide assistance, receive complaints and obtain information.
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General Safety Precautions
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Immediately report stolen or missing Cardinal Cards and keys to Residence Life and DPS.
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Never take personal safety for granted.
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Never prop open exterior doors of residence halls and buildings.
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Never admit strangers into your room or hall. When in doubt, request a Cardinal Card.
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Lock room doors, offices and other student and employee work spaces, even when leaving
for a short time.
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Carry keys and your CUA identification card at all times and never lend them to anyone.
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Use the university shuttle and loop bus systems and the escort service during evening hours and particularly when traveling alone.
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Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and keep locked at all times.
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Never leave valuables in plain view inside a vehicle.
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Report suspicious persons and activities immediately to the Department of Public Safety by calling ext. 5111 or by using the emergency telephone system.
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Never leave keys and other valuables visible in rooms, offices, labs and study areas.
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Never remain alone in isolated or unoccupied areas, including classrooms, libraries and other buildings. When such use is required, special arrangements must be made with the Department of Public Safety.
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When walking at night, have a friend along and carry a cell phone.
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Crime Prevention
Crime prevention has been defined as “the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce it.” Crime prevention means using your instint, common sense and action to reduce a criminal's opportunity. The Department of Public Safety provides proactive crime prevention programs and safety services to assist members of the campus community in reducing their risks of becoming a victim of crime.
A close working relationship among the crime prevention unit, management, patrol and investigations units, and the campus community is essential to eliminating crime risk. Networking with outside law enforcement and crime prevention agencies is also an important aspect in eliminating crime risks. Reporting suspicious persons and/or activities, locking unoccupied rooms, securing doors and windows at the end of the day, securing university and personal property and being aware of your surroundings are all important risk reduction strategies.
The crime prevention unit’s goal is to provide proactive risk reduction programs for the entire campus community. The five basic concepts used to attain these goals are risk reduction education, proactive corrective action, physical security, crime analysis and participation of the campus community.
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Education & Awareness Programs
The crime prevention officer is responsible for developing risk reduction programs that foster a safer environment for all members of the campus community. Additionally, the crime prevention officer is responsible for providing and disseminating educational and instructional printed materials to the entire campus community.
All printed materials distributed by the department list the campus police telephone number: 202-319-5111. This number can be used to report incidents and obtain police service 24 hours a day. Throughout the year, the crime prevention unit provides safety and security presentations in residence halls and other campus locations. Safety information is distributed at all presentations, meetings and seminars, and is available at public safety headquarters. Information is provided on the locations and use of emergency telephones, the location of the Department of Public Safety and the way to contact public safety in the event of an emergency. The procedure for reporting criminal and suspicious activity is explained at the presentations.
The public safety headquarters is located on the west side of campus in Leahy Hall, Room 120. Information about the Department of Public Safety’s risk reduction procedures can be found at http://publicsafety.cua.edu.
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Rape Aggression Defense System
The Crime Prevention Unit offers classes to students and employees on self-defense techniques. The officers are certified and trained through the Rape Aggression Defense Systems Inc. Seminars on sexual assault prevention are provided throughout the year. For additional information on Risk Reduction and Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Programs, please visit our Web site at http://publicsafety.cua.edu.
Risk Reduction Services for the Campus Community
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Emergency Telephones
There are 136 emergency telephones and 10 panic buttons strategically located throughout the ampus to assist in communicating with the campus police. This number includes the access telephones located throughout the campus and at the entrances of all residence halls and the emergency access telephones located in building elevators.
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The escort service is one of the department’s most requested and used services. This on-campus service is primarily used by students during late and unusual hours. It is not, however, limited to student use. Faculty and staff members also take advantage of this proactive crime prevention service to assist them to or from their cars or building. Escorts are provided by public safety officers who are members of the foot patrol, vehicle patrol or bicycle patrol.
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Public Safety Assistants
The Public Safety Assistants (PSA) program is part of the Department of Public Safety crime prevention services. The PSA personnel are not security officers or special police officers; they are part-time employees.
positions under the PSA program are:
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Bus Service
The Department of Public Safety provides campus bus service. The Shuttle, Loop and Metro A.M. shuttle services provide transportation throughout the campus for students, faculty and staff. For a schedule or additional Proactive Services for the Campus Community please visit our Web site at http://publicsafety.cua.edu.
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Fixed Post (Brookland CUA Metro)
The Brookland/CUA Metro station (Red Line) is located at the southeast corner of campus. The station is an arrival and departure point for many members of the campus community between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m Friday and Saturday and 7a.m. to midnight on Sunday. The Metro stop is primarily the property and responsibility of the Metro Transit Police. The Department of Public Safety recognizes the need to be present and visible at this location during the peak hours of 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. or until the Metro closes. An officer is assigned to this fixed post throughout the week during the academic year. The officer’s high visibility serves as a deterrent to crime in that area.
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Other Proactive Services
Operation I.D. and bicycle registration are ongoing programs throughout the year. Engraving tools supplied by the Department of Pubic Safety are loaned to members of the campus community to engrave their personal property. The Department of Public Safety will register bicycles with a District of Columbia bicycle permit number and submit them to the Metropolitan Police Department for entry into their national computer. Emergency whistles displaying the campus police telephone number are distributed to the campus community at safety and security meetings, seminars and orientation.
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Risk reduction programs developed to foster a safer environment
CUA Campus Watch Program
The CUA Campus Watch Program is a team effort with members of the campus community and the Department of Public Safety working together to prevent crime on campus. Members of the community use their eyes, ears and telephone to let public safety know what they see and hear. Public safety alerts the community to significant or major incidents through Crime Alerts.
The major participants in the Campus Watch Program are faculty, staff and student watch captains. Watch captains are located in every building on campus. Mobile watch captains are personnel from the maintenance, grounds, electrical and custodial services departments.
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Crime Alerts & Information Alerts
Crime alerts are published when crimes occur on or near campus that potentially threaten the university community. The crime alerts are e-mailed and/or faxed to each CUA campus watch captain. Watch captains post the alerts in resident halls and on security bulletin boards throughout campus. Information alerts are distributed to let the campus community know about crime activity on or near campus that does not present a direct threat to the university community.
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Security Surveys, Security Violation Letters & Crime Prevention Reminders
Security surveys are conducted on buildings and grounds with special emphasis on doors, windows, electric alarms, access control systems, landscaping, lighting and security procedures. Security violation letters are sent to the building administrators and department heads when doors and windows are left open or unsecured. On-the-spot crime prevention reminders are issued when there is a breakdown of safety precautions such as personal or university property left unsecured. Contact cards are prepared for persons found on campus under suspicious circumstances.
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The Catholic University of America provides students and employees with education awareness programs aimed at reducing sex offenses. Education plays a major role in the university’s efforts to prevent incidents of sexual assault.
During the academic year, numerous security programs for students are provided to promote awareness of rape and other sex offenses. Starting with the orientation and registration period, and throughout the year in residence halls, pamphlets on sexual assault are distributed.
The professional staff from the university’s Counseling Center is available 24 hours a day to assist students who are victims of sex offenses. For more information regarding sexual assault, contact the Department of Public Safety.
The Catholic University of America believes that each student has the obligation and responsibility to educate himself or herself about appropriate security precautions and measures to be taken to minimize risks of sexual assault. The university encourages students to take self-defense classes, lock residence hall rooms, avoid underage and excessive alcohol consumption, and participate in programs offered at the university on safe living in a community environment.
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"How To Report Crimes on Campus"
Students and employees should immediately report any crimes to the Department of Public Safety dispatcher in Leahy Hall, 202-319-5111. They must report to the DPS dispatcher if they become aware of any crime that has occurred:
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On campus (CUA’s main campus between Michigan Avenue and Taylor Street, Harewood Road and McCormick Avenue, the Dufour Center and grounds, South Campus south of Michigan Avenue and “The Block” between Seventh and Eighth streets and Lawrence and Monroe streets).
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In any off-campus building owned or controlled by CUA (this includes Theological College).
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On public property immediately adjacent to or accessible from the CUA campus, the main campus and the Dufour Center grounds.
Students and employees are cautioned never to attempt to apprehend or pursue a suspected criminal. Crimes or suspected criminals should be reported to the DPS dispatcher or if appropriate to 911.
If you have any doubts whether to report something that has occurred, report it. Victims or witnesses of crimes may disclose them on a voluntary, confidential basis to the Officer of the Dean of Students or the Department of Public Safety who can then determine whether the event constitutes a crime that has to be collected and statistically reported. Your cooperation in timely reporting assists the university to issue timely warnings to the campus community. All crimes must be reported immediately.
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Where To Find Information on "Registered Sex Offenders"
In conjunction with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, the District of Columbia enacted the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999, which authorized the Metropolitan Police Department to release sex offender information to the public. A list of Class A registered sex offenders is provided on the Metropolitan Police Department’s Web site as a service to the community, http://mpdc.dc.gov/serv/sor/sor.shtm (sites – Services – Sex Offender Registry)
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|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Offenses |
On Campus
Property |
In Residential Facility |
Non-Campus Building |
On Public Property |
On Campus
Property |
In Residential Facility |
Non-Campus Building |
On Public Property |
On Campus
Property |
In Residential Facility |
Non-Campus Building |
On Public Property |
|
Murder/Non-negligent Homicide |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Manslaughter by negligence |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rape/Sex Offense Forcible |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rape/Sex Offense Non-Forcible |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Robbery |
7 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Aggravated Assault |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Burglary- Forced Entry |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Burglary – No Force |
12 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
15 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Motor Vehicle Theft |
10 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Arson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hate / Prejudice Crimes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Totals |
37 |
11 |
0 |
14 |
25 |
17 |
9 |
7 |
16 |
9 |
0 |
4 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Person Arrested for the below offenses: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Liquor Law Violations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Drug Related Violations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Weapons Possession |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Totals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Persons referred for campus disciplinary actions for the below listed violations |
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Liquor Violations |
12 |
293 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
313 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
283 |
0 |
14 |
|
Drug Violations |
0 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
|
Weapons Possessions |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Totals |
12 |
304 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
319 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
300 |
0 |
14 |
|
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|
|
|
|
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How statistics are compiled
The investigator for the Department of Public Safety is responsible for collecting crime statistics, in cooperation with the D.C. Police. The investigator also works with the Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs and Ethical Development in collecting the statistics on referrals for campus disciplinary actions, drug abuse, liquor law or weapons violations.
The current version of the Sexual Assault Policy is available online at http://policies.cua.edu/StudentLife/studentconduct/assault.cfm
The Faculty and Staff Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy is online at http://policies.cua.edu/employment/other/drugsalcohol.cfm.
The Student Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Policy is online at http://policies.cua.edu/studentlife/studentconduct/alcoholdrugs.cfm.
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Last Revised 08-Oct-09 04:17 PM.
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