09:31:00 Campus Crime Prevention

PURPOSE

Establish policy relative to the development and implementation of crime prevention policies for the college.

POLICY

Walters State Community College encourages students, employees and visitors to be aware of their responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others when on campus. To assist in crime prevention efforts, Walters State employs full and part-time certified police officers to provide police services at the Morristown, Sevierville, and Niswonger Campuses. Police services for the Claiborne County Campus are  contracted with the Tazewell Police Department. Officers conduct foot and vehicle patrol. Bicycle patrol is also a patrol option as certified staff are trained and available. 

In addition, to deter theft and unauthorized access of facilities, employees are encouraged to keep work area doors closed and locked when not in use. Building reminders are issued to building deans to ensure that staff is appropriately reminded to secure work areas for the prevention of theft and unauthorized access. Staff are also encouraged to double-check entrances/exits used outside of regular business hours to ensure the doors fully engage and lock when exiting the building. Students and staff are encouraged to keep valuables stored out of sight in vehicles to prevent vehicle break-ins, and students are encouraged on-line and during orientation sessions not to leave valuable items unattended. Students and staff are encouraged to walk in pairs or groups. If they must walk alone, particularly after dark, upon request a Campus Police officer will provide an escort to their vehicle. Further crime prevention tips are posted on the campus safety website.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS, DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND OTHER PREVENTION PROGRAMS

The Campus Police department collaborates with the Governor’s Highway Safety Office and the campus Drug and Alcohol Awareness Team, a part of the Counseling Department and the Student Services Division, to provide drug and alcohol programs and activities in which students and staff may participate. To provide educational activities for students and staff, the following are examples of programs, information, and activities that are routinely provided:

1. Drug/Alcohol Education Programs are coordinated through the college’s Counseling and Testing Department. Throughout the year, the department provides a continuum of prevention services to the students and employees. This includes coordinating awareness activities and programs. The department also serves as a resource center for information in the form or brochures and pamphlets.
2. WSCC participates in health information fairs at least twice each year. The purpose of the fairs is to provide information and displays on a wide variety of health topics, including prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol illness. 
3. The major focus of alcohol and drug awareness activities at WSCC are planned and implemented to coincide with student appreciation dates scheduled at all campuses. The counseling and testing staff hand out information which may include the Drug-Free Campus Policy.
4. WSCC staff work closely with local Health Councils to participate in scheduled activities. 
5. Walters State Community College has counselors available for all campuses to provide individual substance abuse counseling to students and employees. The campus counselors display an alcohol awareness table in the lobbies of the campuses. The college is an active participating member of CHASCO (Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities) which provides strategies and resources for A&D prevention efforts on college campuses.  www.tnchasco.org.  
6. Staff/Students received Sexual Assault prevention training, which includes information on the correlation between alcohol use and assaults.
7. WSCC works with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Assault to conduct presentations with the student athletes centered around consent, relationship between alcohol, substances, and sexual assault. They also discuss the relationship between alcohol, substances, and sexual assault.
8. WSCC works closely with the Green Dot Program and encourages bystander intervention relative to domestic and dating violence. 
9. WSCC works with the local domestic abuse agency (CEASE), with two employees serving on the board of directors.
10. Discussions are scheduled in various classes regarding recognizing the signs of domestic violence and providing resources for assistance. Those resources are available from college faculty or staff, upon request.
11. Counseling and campus police staff routinely attend domestic and sexual violence training seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest information and prevention measures.
12. Counseling staff offer ongoing counseling services for the college, and in particular during times of peak crises.
13. Campus police officers also distribute information relative to alcohol and drug awareness during student appreciation events and schedule activities for students to participate in that simulate being under the influence, such as conducting sobriety testing using fatal vision goggles in various scenarios and utilizing various equipment to test reaction and response time.
14. Campus police consistently enforce policies and state laws relative to violations. They also plan activities to discourage distracted driving and provide awareness information.
15. Parking permits are not required for students; however, employee parking permits are issued with the message, “PLEASE DON’T TEXT, DRINK, AND DRIVE”. Permits are issued through the Campus Police department.

5/20; 7/20; 08/22; 09/24