It is hard to believe how quickly the spring semester is passing by. With March right around the corner, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:
- There has been an increase of bicycle thefts on campus. Many of the bicycles targeted were secured using a cable lock, or not locked at all. Invest in a sturdy u-lock, and ensure that you are locking up your bicycle properly. The safest place to lock up your bicycle is a designated bicycle rack. A map of all campus bike racks can be found here. For more information on the proper way to lock your bicycle, ask one of your Public Safety Officers, or watch this video.
- With spring break quickly approaching, please take proper precautions to keep you and your valuables safe. When leaving your residence for spring break, make sure all doors and windows are secure. Consider bringing items of value with you, or secure them in a safe location. If you live off campus in the downtown area, you may contact the Charleston Police Department ((843) 577-7434) and request checks of your residence while you are out of town.
- As the weather is warming up, most of us will be spending more time outdoors and staying out later. Please take a moment to review the Campus Night Map. This map features the recommended route for night travel based on adequate lighting and access to emergency call boxes. In addition to this resource, safety escorts for campus travel are available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors 24/7.
- Have you ever had concerns about a student’s possible substance abuse, mental health, or worrisome/disruptive behavior? FAST is an online reporting tool available to facilitate reporting concerns about students so that specialized College staff may better provide help to students who are having academic, financial, or personal problems that will keep them from succeeding at the College. To make a referral using the FAST reporting system, please click here. Please be aware that the FAST system is not an emergency hotline. For an on-campus emergency, please call Public Safety.
- 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:
As a rule of thumb, if you ever receive an email message or phone call from any organization asking you to provide them with personal information, such as your social security number, password, account numbers, etc., you should view any such contact as a potential fraud attempt – do not respond. For more information on how to protect yourself from phishing, visit the IT website.
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
