The holiday season is just around the corner. As you prepare for Thanksgiving break, please take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your personal property. Here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- Thank you to all who attended our Campus Safety Walk last night. We received valuable input from the members of the campus on how to enhance the safety and security of our community. A special thanks to the Physical Plant Electrical Shop, the Grounds Crew, the Student Government Association, and the Stern Center staff who helped make the event a success.
- As Thanksgiving break is approaching, now is the time to prepare your residence if you are planning on going out of town for the holiday. For those of you residing in the downtown area, particularly students living in off-campus housing, you can contact the Charleston Police Department ((843) 720-2426) if you would like an officer to keep an eye on your residence while you are away. Any faculty, staff, or students living outside the immediate area are encouraged to call their local police department, as most law enforcement agencies offer this service.
- Holiday breaks are a vulnerable time for the campus. Thieves take advantage of the decline in foot traffic and overall activity. Please do your part in helping Public Safety protect you personal property over the holiday breaks. If you plan on leaving your bike on campus, it is recommended that you secure it in a highly visible, well-lit area. If you live live in a residence hall that has interior bicycle racks (McAlister, Kelly House), it is recommended that you relocate your bike to that location. For faculty and staff who utilize offices, please make sure you are securing your office door. If you have valuables such as phones, laptops, tablets, etc. please consider locking them in a desk drawer, or other secure location.
- With finals quickly approaching, and our hours of daylight diminishing earlier, now is an excellent time to review some vital safety information for those commuting on or near the College of Charleston campus. The College of Charleston has several resources to help students, faculty, and staff travel safely around campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is available 24/7 to provide safety escorts to all students, faculty, and staff. The Cougar Shuttle is available to students 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 more resources and safety tips, please click here.
- Be social with us! If you have not already, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for departmental news, upcoming events, and other important information. If you are having trouble accessing our pages, please make sure you are signed into your social media account.
Crime Prevention Tip:
During the holiday season, shopping malls are a popular place for holiday pickpockets.
Only carry one form of payment and identification; leave the extra credit cards and debit cards at home, and never ever carry your Social Security card with you. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in a crowded mall. When we’re distracted, we’re vulnerable to pickpockets. Pickpockets often work in teams; watch out for shoppers who bump into you or otherwise create a commotion; while your attention is elsewhere, an accomplice may be grabbing your wallet.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Take Care and Be Safe,
PSO Madeline M. Sloan
Crime Prevention Specialist
Department of Public Safety
Office of the President
89 St. Philip Street
Charleston, SC 29424
(843)953-5609
