Student Right to Know: Safety for the Campus Community

This information is published in accordance 20 United States Code section 1092, Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.

CRIME REPORTING PROCEDURES

20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(1)(A)

Working together, security at Pasadena City College is everybody's business. No community, of course, can be totally risk-free in today's society. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are partners in creating an atmosphere that is safe and conducive for learning.

Pasadena City College maintains a Police and Safety department with personnel available 24 hours a day. A person may report any criminal action or any other emergency at any time -- day or night -- by calling 911 from an inner campus phone, or by coming in person to the Police and Safety Services office located in the B building, Room 210. If you call 911 from a cell phone the call is directed to the CHP, from another non-campus phone will connect you to the local Police Department.

Emergency call boxes are located throughout the campus and will connect the caller directly to Campus Police.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES CONCERNING SECURITY, ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE OF CAMPUS FACILITIES

20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(1)(B)

Buildings
Most buildings are open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Buildings are opened on as "as needed" basis on weekends and holidays as published in the Room Reservation Schedule prepared by the Campus Use office (626) 585-7233.

Staff and faculty with college related business may be granted entrance by campus police to college facilities, with proper identification any day between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.

To gain access to special areas, or to the college facilities "after hours", a Building Entrance Permit must be obtained from the manager with responsibilities for the area.

Exceptions:

Special Areas
Laboratories or other areas of inherently dangerous activities (areas containing dangerous machinery or materials); hazardous areas; areas containing expensive equipment; areas not assigned or under the control of the employee.

Closed Campus
Building entrance Permits will be required when the campus is closed to all personnel for maintenance, security or other extraordinary reasons.

Students shall not be permitted access to district facilities after hours without direct staff supervision and a building entrance permit signed by the cost center manager responsible for the area.

Intrusion Alarms
Many campus rooms and areas are protected by intrusion alarms. Before entering such areas, Police and Safety Services should be called.

College Property
No district property may be removed from the campus without expressed written permission from the department manager or area supervisor. Unauthorized removal of district property from the campus is a violation of the law and may be prosecuted by the district.

Building Maintenance
The campus facilities are maintained by Facilities Services and patrolled by the officers of Campus Police. The police officers and community service officers regularly test the emergency phones and submit work orders for repair, recommend the trimming of shrubbery for safety reasons and conduct periodic lighting surveys. Custodians inspect their respective work areas for lights out, doors unlocked and potentially dangerous persons and report to campus police their findings. Officers report the need for replacement of lights and any other physical hazards they notice. Periodic crime prevention surveys are conducted when a crime trend occurs or upon the physical changes of office space and equipment when requested by an administrator.

POLICE AND SAFETY SERVICES

20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(1)(C)

It is the Policy of the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees to protect the members of the total college community and to protect the property of Pasadena City College. Under the general direction of the assistant superintendent, Administrative Services, Police and Safety Services shall insure that reasonable protection is provided by using methods that fit within and contribute to the learning philosophy and process of the institution.

Community college police officers shall comply with section 13522 of the California Penal Code relative to recruitment and training. Community college police officers have peace officer authority pursuant to California Penal Code 830.32a and Education Code 72330. They receive the same training as a municipal police officer or county deputy sheriff and they have the same authority on or about the campus as a municipal police officer or county deputy sheriff. Police and Safety Services receives reports for all incidents occurring on campus and is responsible for investigating all campus crime.

Pasadena City College has a formal memorandum of understanding with the Pasadena Police Department to request assistance for incidents that require resources not available to Pasadena City College. The college will summon the assistance of other agencies to provide services for incidents that require special resources.

Pasadena City College also uses College Service Officers (cadets). Police and Safety cadets are students enrolled in administration of justice classes and receive specialized training in campus police and safety operations.

CRIME PREVENTION

20 U.S.C. 1092(f) (1) D/E

TIMELY WARNING POLICY

20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(3)

One of the essential ingredients of any successful crime prevention program is an informed public. It is the intent of Pasadena City College to inform students and staff, in a timely manner, of any criminal activity or security problems which may pose a reasonable threat to their physical safety. On occasion, you will see timely warning notices describing recent crime trends or dangerous incidents. It is our policy to post these notices in all campus buildings, on the College’s E-mail system, and in general areas of distribution to provide our community with information about the incidents and crime prevention recommendations. Once all the relative information is received, these notices will typically be posted within 24 hours. Another critical element of a campus safety program is training. Police and Safety Services, Student Health Services, Special Services and the Student Affairs office sponsor programs on various topics ranging from sexual assault awareness to substance abuse prevention.

Finally, all effective crime prevention programs include some measure of people watching out for one another. All staff and students are asked to be ALERT, SECURITY CONSCIOUS, and INVOLVED. Call Police and Safety Services, 911, whenever you see suspicious behavior.

OFF CAMPUS CRIME

20 U.S.C. 1092(f) (1)(G)

The local police departments have been requested to provide the college with crime data for buildings and property owned and controlled by the Pasadena Area Community College District.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(1)(H)

In accordance with Public Law 101-226 "Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989," the Board of Trustees of Pasadena Area Community College District prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on Pasadena City College property and as part of any Pasadena City College sponsored or sanctioned activity.

Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, expulsion from Pasadena City College, or termination from employment for violations of the standards of conduct.

The decision to take disciplinary action in any instance rests with the Board of Trustees after consideration of the recommendation of the superintendent-president of Pasadena City College.

The possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages by anyone on Pasadena City College controlled property is a misdemeanor as per California Business Code 25608 and a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct. The use, sale or possession of any illegal drug is a violation of state law and any person found in violation may be subject to arrest by federal, state, local or campus law enforcement authorities. Criminal prosecution is separate from any administrative discipline that may be imposed by the district.

CRIME STATISTICS & ARRESTS

20 U.S.C. 1092(f) (1)(F) & 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)H

DAILY LOG

20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(4)(A)

Campus Police makes, keeps, and maintains a daily log, written in a form that can be easily understood, recording all crimes reported to the police department, including--

  • the nature, date, time, and general location of each crime;
  • and the disposition of the complaint, if known.

All entries on the log, except where disclosure of such information is prohibited by law or such disclosure would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim, are open to public inspection within two business days of the initial report being made to the campus police department.

SEXUAL ASSAULT PROCEDURES

20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(8)(A)

Sexual assault is a traumatizing event. The college suggests the following procedures to ensure that the survivor can obtain the best care and supportive services for recovery.

A. Definition

Rape and other types of sexual assault, whether by a stranger or by an acquaintance, whether against women or men, are violations of the law. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, rape, sexual battery, or the threat of sexual assault.

B. Procedure

  1. The District will address the needs of the sexual assault survivor by providing a consistent, caring, and timely response when sexual assault occurs within the college community. After initial consultation, referrals for treatment will be made and ongoing support will be offered to survivors.
  2. Any person who has been sexually assaulted is strongly encouraged to file a complaint with the Campus Police, and/or the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. When a complaint is filed with the Campus Police, the following steps will be initiated:
    1. Request that a nurse from Student Health Services provide immediate medical attention and appropriate medical and psychological referrals.
    2. Notify the appropriate college personnel of the incident for further administrative action
    3. Conduct a thorough investigation which may include contacting other public agencies
    4. Ensure that the survivor is given appropriate protection while on campus, including protection from retaliation for filing the complaint, if necessary. Such protection may include placing appropriate restrictions on the accused.
    5. Ask the survivor questions to assess the potential for continuing threat to the survivor and/or other members of the campus community.

C. Disclosure

To protect the privacy of the individuals involved, names will not be released by the District without their consent unless the release is essential to the health and safety of the survivor or the campus community, or to otherwise fulfill the legal obligations of the college.

D. Responding to Sexual Assaults

STEP 1: Arrange for treatment

Because sexual assault is a crime that may involve physical trauma, the staff member informed of the assault, the Campus Police, and/or college administrator should strongly encourage the survivor to seek medical and psychological treatment. An assault survivor should he encouraged to do the following:

  1. Protect evidence of the assault. The survivor should be encouraged to refrain from showering, shaving, bathing, douching, changing clothes, or straightening up the area of assault.
  2. Go to a hospital sexual assault crisis center which provides full and appropriate services for survivors. If the survivor is willing to go to the hospital, the Campus Police will assist with arrangements for transportation. Campus staff will accompany the survivor if requested
  3. Use of other community resources. The survivor will be informed of public and private community resources.

STEP 2: Contact the Vice President, Student and Learning Services, L112

The administrator in charge of student disciplinary action will assist the student by providing ongoing management and support.

STEP 3: Inform others that an assault has occurred

If a sexual assault is reported to any staff member, faculty or administrator, that person is responsible for contacting the Campus Police. The name of the survivor will not be released to the parents or the press without the expressed written permission of the survivor.

STEP 4: Notify the campus community

As soon as it is known that an assault has taken place on campus, notification of the event must be made known to increase awareness and ensure the safety of the campus community.

STEP 5: Refer for Support

Verbal and written information about sources of support on campus and in the community will be provided to the survivor by the college.

STEP 6: Follow-up

The appropriate college official will provide the following information directly to the survivor:
existence of criminal or civil prosecution, the District's disciplinary process (if the accused is a Pasadena Area Community College student), the availability of mediation, academic assistance, and alternative housing. The appropriate college official will provide ongoing follow-up on the case. This follow-up will consist of ensuring that the survivor has access to the support services needed. If the survivor wishes to remain anonymous, the appropriate college official will serve as a liaison between the survivor and the investigation in progress.

E. When the suspected perpetrator is a student

  1. As soon as practical (and without interfering with law enforcement investigations), the Campus Police will work closely with college officials to assist with the investigation. The District will protect the privacy of the survivor.
  2. The survivor will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
  3. Either the survivor or the accused may appeal the decision to the Governance of the College.

REFERRAL AGENCIES

The following PCC departments can assist locating referral and support services;

Affirmative Action Office (626) 585-7388, Room C-204
Human Resources (626) 585-7388, Room C-204
Police and Safety Services (626) 585-7484, Room B-210
Personal Counseling (626) 585-7273, Room D-203
Student Health Services
Pasadena City College (626) 585-7244, Room D-104
Community Education Center (626) 585-3016, Room 122

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Students may be expelled, suspended or placed on probation for acts committed on campus or at campus-related events. The causes for suspension and expulsion listed in California Education Code 76033 include assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence upon a student or college personnel and the willful misconduct which results in injury or death to a student or college personnel. In compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault, are to be informed whenever information regarding disciplinary action taken by the university is included in a student's file. Within three days victims are to be informed of the results of the disciplinary action and any appeal. The victim is required to keep the results of the disciplinary action and appeal confidential. For further information, contact the Vice President of Student and Learning Services 585-7071

HATE CRIMES

"Hate violence" as defined in the statute "means any act of physical intimidation or physical harassment, physical force or physical violence, or the threat of physical force or physical violence, that is directed against any person or group of persons because of the ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or political/religious beliefs of that person or group". Incidents of hate violence can be reported to the campus police , Counseling and Personal Counseling, and the Student Affairs Office. The College does not condone hate violence and is charged with ensuring that the rights guaranteed by state law and the U.S. Constitution are protected for all people regardless of their ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or political/religious beliefs.

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS

20 U.S.C. 1092 (1)(I)

You may access the information for free at viewing stations located at the Los Angeles county Sheriff station (562) 465-7825 or the Los Angeles Police Department (213) 485-3281. Additional information on sex offender registration is also available at the office of the State of California Attorney General, www.meganslaw.ca.gov. The National Sex Offender Public Registry is available through the U.S. Department of Justice atwww.nsopr.gov. To access sex offender information via telephone, you may call the Sex Offender Identification Line at 1-900-448-3000. The cost for calling is a flat rate of $10 for information on up to two individuals.