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From the Princeton Weekly Bulletin October 13, 1997

Campus security

Public Safety's guide for students, employees and visitors

Access to the University

The University grounds are open to visitors, with tours available through the Orange Key Guide Service. Vehicular access to campus is controlled, and visitor parking is allowed in designated areas or by special permit only.
University facilities are open only to members of the campus community and escorted or authorized visitors. Academic and administrative buildings are locked after normal working hours, and residence halls are controlled by electronic card access locks. Alarms register with Public Safety when doors are not secured.

Crime prevention

The Department of Public Safety offers a compre-hensive crime prevention program. Brochures are available, describing the types of crimes most likely to affect our campus; these are distributed to members of the community and visitors. Safety and crime prevention are an important part of orientation programs for both students and new staff members. A Police Blotter published on the Internet keeps the community abreast of police matters on campus. Articles on crime and crime prevention appear in the Princeton Weekly Bulletin and in advertisements in the Daily Princetonian.
A monthly crime analysis bulletin is distributed on campus, and timely "Crime Alert" notices are posted whenever incidents occur that could threaten the safety of members of the community. Informal meetings can be scheduled at any time for groups with security concerns or interests. The Campus Safety Committee, made up of students and administrators, meets regularly to discuss programs that could make our campus an even safer place.

Crime statistics

The following crimes were reported during the past three years. (This statement is required under the Crime Awareness and Campus Safety Act of 1990.)
............................1994 ... 1995 ... 1996
Homicide .................... 0 ...... 0 ...... 0
Rape ........................ 0 ...... 0 ...... 0
Sex offense (forcible) ...... 2 ...... 1 ...... 2
Sex offense (nonforcible) ... 0 ...... 0 ...... 1
Robbery ..................... 0 ...... 0 ...... 0
Aggravated assault .......... 1 ...... 0 ...... 0
Burglary ................... 24 ..... 33 ..... 43
Auto theft .................. 0 ...... 2 ...... 2
     Though reporting of thefts is not required, we feel that the public should know 304 such incidents were reported on the Princeton campus in 1996, compared with 288 in 1995 and 336 in 1994. Bicycle theft accounts for nearly half of these; the remainder were property taken from common areas. Of the 43 incidents of reported burglary in 1996, only seven were forced entries. In addition to the sex offenses reported above, four incidents were reported to other University officials in 1996 (and were therefore not investigated by the Department of Public Safety). Also in 1996, there were no reported incidents of prejudice criminal acts ("hate crimes"), and although disciplinary action was taken for violations of the University alcohol policy, there were no campus arrests for drugs, alcohol or weapons possession. Local police authorities reported seven burglary incidents in 1996 in off-campus facilities owned or controlled by student organizations.

Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety consists of some 60 professionally trained personnel who patrol the campus 24 hours daily.
     Uniformed Public Safety officers and proctors are primarily responsible for building security and for enforcing parking and traffic regulations. Proctors have the authority of commissioned police officers with full power of arrest under N.J.S.A. 18:6-4.3 and are required to complete a rigorous basic peace officer training program. In addition, specialized advanced training continues throughout the proctor's career.
     The campus falls under the jurisdiction of several local police agencies whose services the Department of Public Safety supplements. Public Safety maintains a close working relationship with those agencies. Local police agencies provide information to Public Safety on matters of criminal activity at recognized student activities off-campus.

Alcohol and drug policy

Students are expected to be acquainted with and abide by state laws and University regulations regarding alcohol and drugs and to be aware of the social, physiological and psychological consequences of excessive drinking. The University provides educational programs as well as counseling services, and the University alcoholic beverage policy is designed to be consistent with N.J. laws, with a legal drinking age of 21 years.

Sexual assault

Princeton University 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.
     If you are the victim of a sexual offense, you have the right to:

-- Report the incident to Public Safety;
-- Report the incident to the appropriate police agency and pursue criminal charges;
-- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, including the collection and preservation of evidence crucial to pursuing criminal prosecution;
-- Access the wide range of support services provided by the University. The Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (SHARE) office at McCosh Health Center has developed comprehensive programs on assault prevention and established procedures for reporting violations of University policy. For further information or assistance on these programs, call the SHARE office at 258-3310 or obtain a copy of their brochure "What Students on Campus should know about Sexual Assault."

     Victims of sexual assault are urged to seek help immediately by calling 911 or going to McCosh Health Center. When you call 911, Public Safety will respond to assist you in receiving medical treatment and/or contacting off-campus authorities. A confidential SHARE counselor who has been trained to deal with sexual assault issues will be available to talk to you. The counselor can assist you in contacting on and off-campus resources for medical, legal or emotional support and can also assist you in changing an academic or living situation following an incident of sexual assault.
     All forms of or attempts at sexual assault are regarded as serious University offenses likely to result in suspension, required withdrawal or expulsion. Both the accused and the accuser have the right to have an adviser present at a hearing, and both will be notified of the outcome of any such proceedings. Prosecution under N.J. criminal law may take place independently of charges under University regulations.

Other programs

The University community is encouraged to take advantage of various crime prevention programs available from the Department of Public Safety. The Campus Shuttle Service runs daily every 15 minutes from 5:00 p.m. until 1:45 a.m. during the academic year. In addition, escorts are available through the Public Safety. Members of the campus community are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the location of the emergency phones. Students are encouraged to register their bikes with Public Safety, free of charge, which also entitles them to use a Masterlock for a small, refundable deposit; bikes should always be locked to an immovable object. Electronic engravers are available for engraving computers, stereos, cameras and TVs.

Emergencies: Call 911

For any fire, police or medical emergency, call the Department of Public Safety immediately. Call 911 from any campus phone, or press the red button on any "blue light" emergency phone. We encourage you to report any crime, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. The officer who answers your call is trained in handling emergencies. In response to your call, the officer will dispatch Public Safety personnel and the appropriate local police, fire and medical teams to your location.

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