In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”), 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f), the College of Charleston issues timely notices to notify the campus community of Clery Act crimes or other serious incidents that the College determines represent a serious and ongoing threat to the campus. The College may distribute timely notices using a variety of means, including emails, text messages, flyers, and website announcements posted on the Campus Safety website.
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, the Department of Public Safety is informing the College of Charleston campus community of an off-campus burglary/robbery.
Incident: Burglary/Aggravated Assault
Date: August 20, 2014
Time: 0200 hours (2:00 am)
Reported to: Charleston City Police Department or College Of Charleston Department of Public Safety
Report # 14-13953
Location: 132 Smith Street, Charleston, SC
Suspects’ status: One black female; two (2) black male suspects are at large. One Black Female was stopped at 0205 at the intersection of Coming Street and Calhoun Street, no positive identification was made.
Incident description: At around 2:00 am the victim heard a knock at the back door and, when he answered the door, encountered two black males with shirts pulled up covering their faces and one black female; one of the male suspects was brandishing a knife. The suspects forced their way into the residence and the victim was cut during the altercation.
Suspect Description: Black female with short dreds and wearing tight dark colored shorts and a dark colored hooded jacket. Two (2) black males both wearing dark hooded jackets which were discovered discarded near by the incident location. No other description(s) are available at this time.
Important Message: It is important to note that the victim/survivor is never the cause of the criminal offense. The College does not tolerate this behavior.
Keep emergency numbers either programmed into your phone or readily accessible. Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are at home. Do not hold doors open or allow access to building for people you do not know. Report safety and security issues around your residence to the proper authority, to include: overgrown plants, damaged locks, burnt out lights, etc. Do not keep large amounts of cash in your residence. Ensure all doors and windows are locked when you leave. Do not place valuable items in places where they are seen from outside. Mark and photograph your valuable items to assist in recovery. Do not keep spare keys in obvious hiding places. If you return to your residence and you think is has been illegally entered, do not go in, immediately call Law Enforcement.
If you observe unusual activity, try to remember details as best you can. For example, what a person was wearing or any other identifiers like scars, tattoos or shoes. Please always be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night, and notify Law Enforcement immediately if you observe potentially dangerous situations or individuals.
Public Safety is available to provide escorts on-campus and the Cougar Shuttle (888.960.2227) is available for off-campus transportation on the downtown peninsula seven nights a week from 11:00 P.M. – 3:00 A.M., during the fall and spring semesters. For addition safety tips, visit http://publicsafety.cofc.edu/stay-safe/index.php.
Get Involved and Make a Difference: The College encourages the prompt reporting of all crimes, On-campus contact Public Safety (843.953.5611), and off-campus (911).
Oftentimes, students are present when a crime is about to happen and bystander intervention is one method students may use to help prevent a crime from happening. Learn how to develop this skill and safely intervene. Contact the Office of Victim Services at 843.953.2273.
Victim Assistance: Enrolled College of Charleston students who become victims of serious crime are encouraged to get victim assistance by contacting the Office of Victim Services (843.953.2273). Comprehensive services, including assistance with missed classes/academic disruption, are available regardless of the incident location, or if the student elected to file an official report, or not.
If you have any information regarding the crime indicated above, please contact:
City of Charleston Police Department
Emergencies: 911
Non-Emergency: 577-7434
Crime Stoppers: (Anonymous Reporting 554-1111)
College of Charleston Campus Police
Emergencies: 953-5611
Non-Emergency: 953-5609 (Administrative Line)
Crime Action Line: (Anonymous Reporting) 953-4988
Silent Witness: http://publicsafety.cofc.edu/silent-witness.php