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Campus Security Report

The Campus Security Act

The Campus Security Act requires all colleges and universities to:

  • Publish an annual report every year by October 1 that contains three years of campus crime statistics and certain campus security policy statements;
  • Disclose crime statistics for the campus, public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus, and certain non-campus facilities and remote classrooms. The statistics must be gathered from campus police or security, local law enforcement, and other College officials who have "significant responsibility for student and campus activities";
  • Provide “timely warning” notices of those crimes that have occurred and pose an ongoing “threat to students and employees”; and
  • Disclose in a crime log "any crime that occurred on campus…or within the patrol jurisdiction of the campus police or campus security department and is reported to the campus police or security department."

The Salem Community College Department of Public Safety is responsible for preparing and distributing this report. We work with many other departments and agencies, such as the Salem City and Carneys Point police departments and the New Jersey State Police to compile this information.

We encourage members of the College community to use this report as a guide for safe practices on and off campus. It is available here. For a paper copy, contact Public Safety at 856.351.2911 or e-mail sbermudez@salemcc.edu.

The Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is staffed by non-sworn, unarmed personnel who are available at all times when the College is open. There are red emergency phones located in each building on all campuses that are clearly identified and can be used 24 hours a day. The call boxes at all instructional sites except the Carneys Point campus dial directly to 911, as do all elevator emergency phones. The emergency phones on the main campus dial direct to the Public Safety office.

All Public Safety officers attend mandatory in-service training in topics such as incident command, first aid and CPR, bloodborne pathogens as well as College safety and security issues.

The Department of Public Safety works closely with the local police departments, and relies on these relationships for support on several levels. In addition to exchanging critical information, the Department of Public Safety has immediate contact with the Carneys Point and Salem City Police Departments, the New Jersey State Police and the Salem County Communications Center. This arrangement gives us immediate access to support from the local police departments, as well as the fire and EMS agencies in those jurisdictions.

Reporting Criminal Incidents and Other Emergencies

We encourage all students, employees and visitors to promptly report criminal incidents, accidents and other emergencies to Public Safety by dialing 2911 from any extension or 856.351.2911. The College's red emergency phones can immediately connect with our dispatch center or the Salem County Communications Center.

Monitoring and Recording Criminal Activity

The College relies on its close working relationships with local law enforcement agencies to receive information about incidents that students may be involved in. Public Safety will actively investigate information it receives concerning or involving a member of the campus community who may be involved in criminal activity. If the College is notified of a situation in which a member of the College community is a victim of a crime, the department may issue a Campus Safety Alert, describing the nature of the incident and providing tips so that other community members may avoid similar incidents.

Access to Campus Facilities

Access to campus building and grounds is a privilege extended to students, faculty, staff and College invited guests. The College encourages an open environment with limited constraints to ensure adequate protection of all members of the community. Most campus facilities are open during the weekday business hours. Individuals who wish access during non-business hours or for special events should contact the appropriate department administrator or Public Safety at 856.351.2911.

Security Considerations in the Maintenance of Campus Facilities

Salem Community College maintains a strong commitment to campus safety and security. Exterior lighting and landscape control is a critical part of that commitment. Department members conduct routine checks of lighting on campus during regularly assigned patrol duties. If lights are discovered to be out or dim, officers will initiate an immediate work order, which is acted upon by Campus Operations. We encourage community members to report any deficiency in lighting to Public Safety at 856.351.2911.

Campus Safety Alerts/Timely Warning Notices

To help prevent crimes or serious incidents, Public Safety issues campus safety alerts in a timely manner to notify community members about crimes in and around our community. Members of the community who know of a crime or other serious incident should report the incident to Public Safety at 856.351.2911 so that a campus safety alert can be issued, if warranted.

The Department distributes campus safety alerts in various ways. Once the College determines that an alert should be issued, the department issues the alert in the form of SMS/text messages e-mail, Web site postings and, in some cases, voice messaging. The Department also uses bulletin boards and other prominent locations throughout the campus and at all Campus Safety locations.

Daily Crime Log

Public Safety maintains a daily crime log that records chronologically, all crimes and other serious incidents that occur on campus, in a non-campus building, on contiguous public property, or within the department’s patrol jurisdiction. The daily crime log is available for inspection at the Department’s headquarters in Tillis Hall, Room 117. The daily crime log includes the nature, date, time, and general location of each crime reported to us, as well as the disposition of the complaint, if this information is known to us at the time the log is created.

Campus Escort Program

If you must travel alone, regardless of time of day, the campus escort program provides a safe, reliable way to travel throughout the campus. Should anyone desire to be accompanied by a Public Safety officer to get to their vehicle or public transportation, simply go to a “red” phone, emergency call box or, call the Communications Center at 856.351.2911. An officer will then be sent to you.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Salem Community College 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. Every member of the College community should be aware that the College is strongly opposed to sexual assault and harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by federal and state law, as well as College policy.

Salem Community College will take whatever action may be needed to prevent, correct, and if necessary, discipline and/or prosecute behavior that violates this policy and the law. All forms of sexual assault and all attempts to commit such acts are regarded as serious offenses that are likely to result in suspension, required withdrawal, expulsion, or termination. Prosecution may take place, in accordance with New Jersey criminal law, independent of College action.

Reporting a Sexual Assault

Reporting a sexual assault may help prevent another assault. Reporting the incident does not mean that the survivor must proceed with a prosecution. Immediately following an attack, the survivor should try to write down everything she or he remembers about the incident, including the physical description of the suspect(s) and any further information about the identity or location of the suspect(s).

There are many organizations that support victims and offer options.

Sexual Crimes Defined

  • Any sexual physical contact that involves the threat or use of force or violence, or any other form of coercion or intimidation;
  • Any sexual physical contact with a person who is unable to consent due to incapacity or impairment (including being asleep or under the influence of alcohol or drugs)

Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the College community where information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.

In New Jersey, this information is accessible at: http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/reg_sexoffend.html.

You may also visit the Salem City or Carneys Point police departments or the New Jersey State Police for information regarding registered sex offenders in the area.

Workplace Violence

To ensure the safety and security of the workplace, Salem Community College does not condone any behavior that may be considered potentially violent. Threats and/or threatening behavior, or acts of violence by students, College employees, or others against staff members, faculty, students, visitors, or other individuals on College property or by College employees in the conduct of College business while off campus, are cause for removal from the workplace and may result in discipline and/or termination of employment.