Campus Police: Crime Awareness

Reporting Procedures

Reports of illegal or criminal activity can be made by telephone (978) 665-3111, by using emergency call boxes located throughout the campus, or in person at the Fitchburg State College Police Department, located in the lower level of the Russell Towers residence hall. All members of the college community are encouraged to promptly and accurately report all crimes to The Fitchburg State Police. Once a report is received, a Police Officer is dispatched to the location to take whatever action is needed. Response can range from gathering information or initiating an investigation to making an arrest.

If a suspect is identified, charges are filed by the Fitchburg State College Police Department. Serious criminal complaints are always filed with Fitchburg District Court, where they will be prosecuted. If the suspect is a student, charges may also be referred to the Student Conduct Board. If a suspect in a serious crime is a student whose presence on campus poses a threat to the campus community, that person may be suspended and barred from the college pending a judicial hearing.

If the suspect is not a student of the college and poses a threat to the campus community, a verbal warning against returning to campus is given, followed by a trespass letter barring the person from college property pending prosecution of the case.

Crime Prevention/Awareness

A  Fitchburg State College Police Officer makes a presentation at all orientations for new students and parents. Crime prevention tips are given, and students are strongly encouraged to report all crimes and suspicious activity. During freshman orientation, Police Officers talk to students about ways to stay out of trouble and protect themselves. Special attention is given to the issue of sexual assault. A similar presentation is given to resident assistants, who are often the first to learn of problems in the residence halls.

Fitchburg State College Police make numerous presentations during the year to students in the residence halls, on a wide range of issues from rape to alcohol and drug abuse. Each fall, Fitchburg State College Police and Campus Living conduct "Operation I.D." to record and place identification on students' property as a crime prevention measure.

Crime prevention brochures are distributed throughout campus. In addition, representatives from Fitchburg State College Police Department, Counseling, Health Services, and Campus Living make presentations to various academic departments. They talk with faculty about how to respond to emergencies and where to refer students who need help.

The college provides overnight parking for residence hall students eligible to have a vehicle on campus. The overnight parking lots are well lit and frequently patrolled, as is the entire campus.

Access To Campus Facilities

College facilities are for the most part open to the public, but on occasion access is limited to students and employees who have college identification cards. The residence halls are locked 24 hours a day or controlled by a desk worker. Students have access only to their particular building. Guests of resident students must be escorted by their hosts at all times.

Campus Law Enforcement

The Police Officers employed by the college are licensed as Police Officers under Massachusetts General Law c. 22c, §63 and c. 73, §18. They have full police powers except for service of civil process. The department is responsible for the prevention of crime, the detection and apprehension of offenders, the preservation of public peace, and the enforcement of all criminal laws and city ordinances as well as compliance with the policies and regulations of the college.

The department is committed to maintaining the highest level of Police for the college community. Officers patrol the entire campus by foot, bicycle, and vehicle 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

To enhance safety on and off campus, the department operates a Student Escort Service from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. that assist Police Officers when classes are in session. These escorts are radio dispatched and patrol the campus as a team when not doing an actual escort. Outside those hours, Police Officers are used to conduct escorts.

The State Police provide investigative support and a lockup facility for persons arrested on state property. The City of Fitchburg provides mobile patrols through the college area, and their officers are used by the college to provide walking patrols in the adjacent neighborhoods. The City also has a lockup facility available to the college. There is a close working relationship between the college and city police departments. Information concerning off campus criminal incidents involving our students (as victims or subjects) is routinely provided to Campus Police. The same relationship exists with other area police departments. The Fitchburg Police Department provides backup to college officers upon request, and its officers are available to testify at Student Conduct Board hearings.

Timely Notice

When a criminal incident has occurred on campus or in the adjacent neighborhood, and the campus community needs to be notified of potential danger, several avenues are available:

Alcohol And Drug Policy

It is the college's policy that all activities be free of the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol. Details of the policy are published in the student handbook. Copies are available from the Student Affairs Office.

Sexual Assaults

Sexual assault prevention programs are an integral part of all orientation programs for new and transferring students. Separate sessions are presented by Counseling Services, Campus Police, and Campus Living. Topics include prevention, situations to avoid, alcohol abuse, self defense, aftermath, support services, reporting procedure, personal health, emotional response and societal impacts. Brochures that highlight sexual assault prevention and crime prevention in general are distributed throughout the campus.

Based upon the desire of the victim, Campus Police may initiate an investigation for the purpose of prosecution. The confidentiality of the victim is always respected. Physical evidence, such as bedding or clothing, is turned over to Campus Police and the victim is cautioned not to take a shower prior to a physical examination, conducted at a nearby hospital. Primary emphasis is on the physical and mental well being of the victim. In the case of off campus crimes, Campus Police gets the victim to the proper agency and remains informed.

If the case goes to the Student Conduct Board, both victim and accused have similar rights, as outlined in the Student Handbook. The accused may be suspended from the college or removed from a residence hall pending a hearing if the situation merits. The sanctions from the hearing process could result in the accused being dismissed or suspended. The outcome of the hearing is made available to the victim and the accused.

The Academic Affairs Office is available to assist both the victim and accused with any academic scheduling requirements. The Campus Living staff assists with temporary or long term housing needs.

Facilities Support

The most common type of security problems encountered on campus have to do with doors and locks that are damaged or not working properly, followed by lighting and alarm related problems. In any given instance, the threat posed by a problem is evaluated, and dealt with either immediately or through the routine work order system. Campus Police Officers identify security or safety problems as part of their patrol duties, and facilities personnel can be (and often are) contacted to handle maintenance problems 24 hours a day.

Reported Crimes

Crime Report Statistics   2004, 2005& 2006	Year	Campus - All	Campus Residential Facilities	Non- Campus Leased Buildings or Property	Non- Campus Public Property	Total
Murder & Non-Negligent Manslaughter	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Negligent Manslaughter	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Sex Offenses- Forcible	2006	0	4	0	0	4
	2005	0	4	0	3	7
	2004	0	4	0	1	5
Sex Offenses - Non Forcible	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	2	2
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Robbery	2006	0	0	0	1	1
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	2006	1	0	0	4	5
	2005	1	1	0	3	5
	2004	1	2	0	5	8
Burglary	2006	101	8	0	21	130
	2005	107	78	0	2	187
	2004	67	47	0	4	118
Motor vehicle Theft	2006	0	0	0	3	3
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	1	0	0	3	4
Arson	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Hate Crimes involving Bodily Injury	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	0	0
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Liquor Law Violation Arrests	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	4	4
	2004	0	0	0	2	2
Drug Related Violation Arrests	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	1	1
Illegal Weapons Possession Arrests	2006	0	0	0	0	0
	2005	0	0	0	1	1
	2004	0	0	0	0	0
Campus Disciplinary Referrals
Liquor Law Violation  / Disturbing the Peace	2006	16	248	0	63	327
	2005	0	269	0	4	273
	2004	0	345	0	20	365
Drug Related Violations	2006	3	24	0	1	28
	2005	0	36	0	0	36
	2004	0	65	0	0	65
Illegal Weapons Possession Referrals	2006	0	13	0	2	15
	2005	0	7	0	0	7
	2004	0	4	0	0	4

 

Note: Federal legislation has mandated the following reporting changes:

1. The forcible category includes "forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling." The non-forcible category includes incest and statutory rape.
2. Beginning in 1998, the burglary category was expanded to include incidents that would previously have been classified as larcenies.

For more information, please visit www.campussafety.org