Crime Prevention Information for the University Community


The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a campus service organization responsible for law enforcement, crime prevention, and emergency services for Northern Kentucky  University. Services are provided on a 24-hour basis to students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors to Northern Kentucky University.

 

The information included in this document is provided by the Department of Public Safety to foster a teamwork relationship between the Department and the people we serve. Working together, we CAN insure a safe and secure working, research and teaching environment here at NKU.

 

Please take a few moments to review the informational material contained in this document. If you have any questions or recommendations concerning safety and security on campus, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 572-5500 and share your thoughts and ideas with us.

 

DOORS AND WINDOWS

 

One of the most persistent security problems found on campus is the propping open doors that are intended to be closed and/or locked. Whenever a door that is supposed to be secured is propped open, the safety and security of the whole building is compromised. A propped open door is an open invitation to the thief. In addition, propped doors also provide an easy route for the travel of smoke and fire within a building. In fact, certain doors, such as those leading into a stairwell or opening into certain corridors for example, are required by law to be closed and latched; by propping THESE doors, you will be violating the law in addition to jeopardizing the safety of others. After entering through a locked door, be sure the door relocks behind you. If the door does not close properly, take a few moments and report the problem to Physical Plant Department. Be sure to report any malfunction locking hardware as well. And don't forget the windows: once a window has been opened, the person responsible often forgets and leaves it open; thus providing another easy means to enter the building. Make sure you lock windows at day's end and report any problems with the window's operation or locking hardware.

 

KEYS

The 1988 Kentucky State Legislature enacted a state statute (KRS 164.337) making unauthorized duplication of university keys unlawful. If you are found duplicating University keys, you could be subject to CRIMINAL prosecution. Beyond this, however,

is the problem that an unauthorized key creates.
If you need a key, submit your request through your dean or department head to the Physical Plant Department. Be sure to use the University's key request form.

  1. Do not attempt to duplicate your University key;
  2. Do not loan your keys or provide access by unlocking a door for an unauthorized person.
  3. If you lose your key, report the loss immediately.

UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL

 

As a member of the University community, you will become familiar with the people who should normally be within your work area. Whenever you observe someone acting "suspiciously" or a person who is obviously out of place, try to obtain a general description of the individual (see: "If You Witness a Crime" in this handbook). Call the Public Safety Department and make a Communications Operator aware of your suspicions. An officer will be dispatched to investigate the situation.

 

PROTECT YOURSELF AT NIGHT

 

When walking on campus during the evening hours, you are encouraged to walk with a coworker and use well lighted and well traveled routes. Our escort service is offered seven days a week from dusk to dawn. The escort service is provided free of charge to members of the campus community and may be obtained by calling DPS at 5500.

 

REPORTING A CRIME OR EMERGENCY

 

An important responsibility of a victim or witness of a crime or other emergency is timely reporting to appropriate authorities. The Department of Public Safety has well trained Police Officers on duty 24 hours a day who are fully prepared to deal with incidents on campus. You can report an incident by calling DPS at 5500 or report an emergency by calling 911 or 7777. When doing so, attempt to provide as much detail as possible about the situation; including at least the following:

  1. Your name;
  2. Your location and telephone number where you can be reached;
  3. The nature of the problem you are reporting;
  4. Additional information as requested by the Communications Operator.

When reporting a crime by telephone, remain on the phone until the Public Safety Operator is fully briefed with all the information necessary to dispatch the appropriate response personnel to the scene.

IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME

 

If you see or suspect a crime is being committed on campus, pay particular attention to the features of the offender(s) and any vehicles involved. Try to be prepared to provide at least the following about the offenders:

  1. Age, race, height and weight;
  2. Hair color and style, beard and mustache;
  3. Notable characteristics (acne, scars, glasses mental state, etc.);
  4. Clothing description;
  5. Location where last seen;
  6. Last known direction of travel;
  7. Vehicle description and distinctive markings

 

Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous may do so. It is more important that a response be dispatched as quickly as possible.

 

IF YOU ARE VICTIMIZED

If your department or you become the victim of a crime on campus, report the offense immediately. Timely reporting of a crime improves the possibility of suspect apprehension and recovery of stolen property. Officers of the Department of Public Safety investigate each reported crime to the best of their ability. If you are victimized, it is very important that you provide the investigating officer with as much information about the incident as possible. After the incident report is taken, provided with an incident report number. Use this number to reference the case of the report for insurance purposes.

 

ALARMED AREAS

 

Numerous electronic intrusion detection systems have been installed in various parts of the University. As a University employee you may come into contact with areas or rooms that have been equipped with these alarm systems. DO NOT ENTER unless you are certain the alarm system has been disarmed; and remember, do not assume that the alarm is off during normal business hours.

There are a number of alarmed areas that are disarmed only on occasional basis; at all other times including normal business hours these systems are armed. Alarmed areas can be identified by a red and white warning sticker affixed to perimeter doors. Please remember that entry into an alarmed area can generate a nuisance alarm and can be dangerous to you and the officers responding to the alarm.

 

UNLOCKING A BUILDING AFTER HOURS

 

There may be certain circumstances when you need access to an area to which you have no key .In such cases, it is your Department's responsibility to notify Public Safety either through the office of facilities Management or through the department head as to the time, date and location where such access is required. This information is kept on file in the Public Safety Communications Room and will be referenced when you call. During business hours, request for locking and unlocking should be referred to the Physical Plant Department.

 

BOMB THREATS

 

Although actual bombing incidents are rare in colleges and universities, there is always a possibility that such an incident could occur. Generally, a threat is called in when the caller desires to disrupt normal activity; on the other hand, if the caller has planted a device, the usual intention is the destruction of property rather than the taking of life. For these reasons decisions relating to bomb threat incidents are made on a case by case basis.

The following procedures should serve as a guide:

  1. If you are assigned a position that requires frequent answering of a telephone, you may be the recipient a bomb threat. Since many decisions will may be based upon this single conversation with the caller, it is virtually import you obtain as much information as possible from him or her. Try to ask the following questions IN THIS ORDER (place these questions near the telephone for ready reference) :
    • What is the exact location of the bomb?
    • When is the bomb supposed to explode?
    • What does the bomb look like?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • Why was it placed?
    • Who is speaking?
  2. Try to keep the caller on the line. Obtain as much information as possible. Listen to background sounds (noises, people talking, etc.), the caller's vocal inflections or accents; note the seriousness of the caller or the "TONE" of the conversation; and write the information down as soon as practical.
  3. Write down the EXACT WORDS of the caller.
  4. Note the telephone line number on which the call was received and the exact of the call.
  5. Call the Department of Public Safety immediately at 6111. Provide as much about the call as possible.
  6. Notify your supervisor or building manager.
  7. Wait for police personnel to arrive. If you know of something suspicious, let the police officer or fireman know about it.
  8. Because you are most familiar with what is supposed to be in your work environment conduct a simple "SEARCH" of the area. DO NOT touch strange objects that you don't recognize or that seem out of place. Report your suspicions to response personnel immediately.
  9. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately and in an orderly fashion. If time permits take valuables (purses, briefcases, etc.,) with you. Do not turn the room lights off. Do not use elevators when exiting the building; use the stairs. Leave the room door open if possible.

SUMMARY

The Department of Public Safety is a service organization responsible for the safety and security needs of the University. We cannot do this job alone. As a staff member of Northern Kentucky University you can help by calling us when you have a security-related problem or if you witness an incident occurring on campus. Get to know us better and help form that teamwork that will help make the Northern Kentucky University as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

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