SECURITY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING INCIDENTS:

Security personnel follow and enforce the policies and procedures set by the College, as well as appropriate local, state and federal laws. All serious incidents, commonly referred to as Part I crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, auto theft and arson are reported to the City of Philadelphia's Police Department. Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Department supplies the College's Security Department with a report of incidents that have been reported to them for the neighborhood surrounding each campus. Known and reported crimes against persons, on and off campus, are provided to the weekly student newspaper for publication. In addition, when circumstances warrant their use, the College will employ Closed Circuit TV, Bulletin Boards, Voice Mail and printed flyers to provide timely notice of criminal activity on and around the campus.

Should incidents arise which are beyond the capability of College's security staff, city police will respond and assist in the proper handling of an incident. Security guards are not authorized to carry or discharge weapons on campus and do not receive training for certification under the Pennsylvania Act 120. Security staff receive in-service training in such areas as proper handling of incidents, investigation and reporting of incidents, fire safety procedures and customer relations.

SECURITY POLICIES:

The use, possession or sale of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs by any student, staff member, faculty member, visitor or vendor is forbidden in any of the facilities of the college. These policies are further addressed in the ALCOHOL & DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM brochure which is mailed to all students and posted on the Human Resources bulletin board. This brocure sets forth the prevention, counseling and treatment programs available through the college, to students and staff. Copies of the brochure are available in the Student Affairs and in the college's Human Resources office.

The possession and use of weapons on campus is prohibited. This policy is set forth in the college Policies and Procedure Memorandum No. 118. Copies are available in the security office (M1-23) or on-line at the college policy web page.

Employees and/or students with criminal records are handled on a case by case basis. Should the record of a given individual be viewed as posing a risk to others at the college, appropriate action will be taken by Human Resources and/or Student Affairs.

In accordance with the Federal Campus Safety and Security Act of 1990 and the Pennsylvania College and University Security Act of 1988, all incidents are tabulated and recorded in the College Safety and Security brochure. The PDF Crime Statistics document is available here, or by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Copies are also available in the Security office.

The statistics which appear under the heading "2004 Crime Reporting Statistics" show the number, rates, and types of incidents reported for the most recent calendar years at each campus. Calendar years extend from January 1st through December 31st. The rates cited were calculated per 100,000 FTE's (Full Time Equivalent) students and staff.

As an example:

If there were 18,979 FTEs and 10 assaults were reported, then the rate would be calculated as follows:

100,000 = 5.3 X 10 (Assaults) = 53
18,979

This is to say that there are 53 assaults on campus for every 100,000 FTE students and staff.

These rates are for your use when comparing similar reports from other local institutions of higher education.

Community College of Philadelphia reports its statistics annually to the Pennsylvania State Police and U.S. Department of Education.

The Office of Student Life and the Campus Security work closely regarding any situation involving students that might require emergency response or law enforcement intervention. Reports are shared between the offices regarding any student arrested or accused of a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct, which could have an impact on the College Community.

All incidents should be promptly reported to the nearest security officer or contact SECURITY EMERGENCY (X5555) or dial 215-751-8111 to reach the Department's communications center. Phones are located in corridors throughout the main campus and regional centers for convenience. For each incident reported, an investigation is conducted and a complete file is created. If warranted, the Philadelphia Police Department is contacted for assistance.

Definitions:

To assist you in understanding the categories referenced in the tables we are providing the following descriptions of some of the major crimes as defined by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting system:

• Murder: the willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

• Negligent manslaughter:
  • General rule. A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter when as a direct result of the doing of an unlawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, or the doing of a lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, he causes the death of another person.
  • Grading. Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Where the victim is under 12 years of age and is in the care, custody or control of the person who caused the death, involuntary manslaughter is a felony of the second degree.

• Forcible sex offences/rape: the carnal knowledge of a person forcibly and/or against that person's will, or not forcibly or against that person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity; or an attempt to commit rape by force or threat of force.

• Robbery: the taking, or attempting to take, of anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody, or care of another person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear of immediate harm.

• Theft: the unlawful taking of the property of another with intent to deprive that person of ownership.

• Aggravated assault: an unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury, involving broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness. Note that an unsuccessful attempt to commit murder would be classified as an aggravated assault.

• Burglary: the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Note that a forced entry is not a required element of the offense, so long as the entry is unlawful (constituting a trespass) it may be accomplished via an unlocked door or window. Included are unsuccessful attempts where force is employed, or where a perpetrator is frightened off while entering an unlocked door or climbing through an open window.

• Motor vehicle theft: the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

• Arson: A person commits a felony of the first degree if he intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion, or if he aids, counsels, pays or agrees to pay another to cause a fire or explosion, whether on his own property or on that of another, if:
  • he thereby recklessly places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, including but not limited to a firefighter, police officer, or other person actively engaged in fighting the fire; or
  • he commits the act with the purpose of destroying or damaging an inhabited building or occupied structure of another; and if
  • the fire or explosion causes the death of any person, including but not limited to a firefighter, police officer or other person actively engaged in fighting the fire, and is guilty of murder of the first degree if the fire or explosion causes the death of any person and was set with the purpose of causing the death of another person.