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 http://publicsafety.cofc.edu/campus-alert/index.php.
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, the Department of Public Safety is informing the College of Charleston campus community of off campus Moped Thefts.
Incident: High number of Moped (Motor Vehicle) Thefts in the Downtown Area
Date: 2/1/2014 to 8/21/2014
Reported to: Charleston City Police Department
Location: Peninsular Area, Downtown Charleston, SC
Incident description: In the past few months there have been a high number of Moped thefts in the Downtown area of the City of Charleston, also known as the Charleston Peninsula. In many cases the Mopeds were not locked to any fixed objects. The Mopeds stolen were located in various locations, on the street, in parking areas, on side streets, etc. The incidents primarily occurred during the night time, though a few day time thefts were reported.
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.
Report suspicious activity to Law Enforcement immediately and provide as much descriptive information as is possible. Keep emergency numbers either programmed into your phone or readily accessible. Never leave your keys in the vehicle while it is unattended. Park your vehicle in well -lit and highly visible areas. Keep a record of descriptive information about your vehicle: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), License Plate number, make, model, color, and unique characteristics. Immobilize your moped when not in use by securing the wheels with a locking device and/or locking the moped to a fixed object.
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
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PREVENT MOPED THEFT
Mopeds are being stolen at an alarming pace in the low-country. Here are some tips to prevent you from becoming the next victim.
1. Lead Them Not Into Temptation.
The less your moped/scooter is seen, the less likely a thief will notice it. If you don’t have a garage, keep it covered. Not knowing what’s underneath makes it harder to assess the difficulty of stealing it, or even to know if it’s even a bike they want. In motorcycle terms, by putting a BMW cover on your Harley, you can also create the impression that it is a bike that is less likely to be stolen than what it actually is.
2. Steer Clear
Although readily defeated, your bike’s steering lock can be a first-step defense and will discourage easy maneuvering of the bike. It is even more useful if your ignition and steering locks are separate, so the thief needs to defeat two locks to escape with your scooter. Many local mopeds have been stolen because they ONLY used an ignition lock (see next item).
3. The Power of Two
It’s best to use two or more locks of different types in addition to your bike’s built-in lock(s).
Unless a thief has conducted surveillance on your bike, he probably won’t be prepared to tackle different kinds of locks. And if one of them anchors the bike to something immovable, a gang won’t be able to carry it to a truck.
4. Keep It Up
Whatever lock you use; don’t rest it on the ground where the thief is more likely to be able to get enough leverage to break it. If you attach to lock up and away from the ground, the thief probably won’t get that extra leverage to pry the lock. The lock should be attached through the frame, or less desirably through the forks or wheel.
5. Lock It Down
A disc lock might inconvenience joy-riders, but determined thieves can simply hoist such a bike into a waiting truck. If you add a cable to it and anchor that to something solid, you have a more formidable obstacle. Even bikes inside garages should be securely locked.
6. Don’t Cheap Out
Go for the good stuff when shopping for security: Alarmed disc locks, U-locks of hardened steel and asymmetrical chains (5/8 inches or greater) all rate highly.
7. Get Sneaky
If you’re really determined to foil the bad guys, wire up a kill-switch or spring-loaded switch that must be held down when the start button is depressed. Some riders have foiled attempted thefts by simply removing the main fuse when they parked their bikes.
8. So That’s the Key!
Make a record of your key numbers, and then file them off the locks if they’re stamped on. Anyone with that number can have a key cut to fit.
9. Shine a Light
If you park outside; choose a well-lit, conspicuous area. If you can’t lock your bike to something solid and stationary, try another bike (preferably not one belonging to a stranger).
Even plastering your bike with “Alarm Installed” stickers could discourage thieves.
10. Make Some Noise
Alarms may seem like a good way to attract attention to the fact that someone is attempting to purloin your bike, but in most places we have gotten so used to false alarms that people don’t investigate or even bother to look. But everyone pays attention to sounds of destruction—such as breaking glass. At home, a large stack of glass bottles with a trip wire makes a sound that everyone will investigate when it gets tipped over.
11. Watch Your Back
Professional thieves often find the bikes they want to steal (probably because they have orders for them) by following them to where they are parked during the day or night. Then they size up the situation and come back with what they need to steal the motorcycle. So, as you approach your destination, especially if it’s your home, watch your mirrors for several blocks. If someone seems to be following you, try to lose them, pull over and let them pass (leaving an escape route in case they are bike-jackers), make a U-turn, or go around the block.
Anyone who continues to follow you is probably trouble. Don’t go home or into your company or school parking lot until you have shaken them off.
12. Remove it Or Lose It Last but not least, remember to remove your cable, disc or U-lock before riding away.
Charleston Police Department –Crime Prevention Unit
180 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 /843-769-7407
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