Author Archives: Madeline Sloan

Good Morning Campus Community,

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday.  As we kick off the spring semester, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• A warm welcome to all new students, faculty, and staff who are joining us for the Spring 2016 semester. If you have not already done so, please review our Guide to Safer Living, which provides an excellent overview of safety and security at the College of Charleston. If you have any questions as you acquaint yourself to campus, please contact me at sloanm1@cofc.edu, or visit Public Safety’s webpage.

• Maintaining a safe and secure campus is a community effort. Do your part by reporting suspicious activity to Public Safety. Describe specifically what you observed, including: who or what you saw; when you saw it; where it occurred; and why it is suspicious. You can learn more about reporting suspicious activity through the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.

• As we enter a new semester, now is a good time to review the City of Charleston’s bicycle and skateboard regulations. Public Safety Officers are issuing citations to bicyclists and skateboarders violating these ordinances. This includes: riding on a sidewalk, traveling the wrong way down a one way street, disregarding traffic control devices, etc. As a reminder, bicyclists and skateboarders should ride with the flow of traffic, and obey all traffic signs and signals. Please review the ordinances relating to bicycles and skateboards here.

• Since the season of gift giving has just come to a close, now is an opportune time to remind everyone of Public Safety’s Operation ID and Computer registration program. For those of you returning to campus with computers, cell phones, and other electronics, please stop by Public Safety to register your items. We will keep serial numbers and other important information about your valuables on file. Having this information will assist with the recovery and return process in the event your item is lost or stolen. This service is available 24/7, so stop by anytime.

• Most of you have probably seen information sent from Public Safety titled, “Timely Warning.” What exactly are these notifications and how are they different from a Cougar Alert?

• Timely Warning– Narrow focus on Clery crimes. Timely warnings are triggered by crimes that have already occurred but represent an ongoing threat. A Timely Warning is issued for any Clery crime committed in Clery geography that is reported to campus security authorities or a local law enforcement agency and is considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. Warnings are issued as soon as the pertinent information is available.

• Cougar Alert– Wide focus on any significant emergency or dangerous situation (may include Clery crimes). An emergency notification is triggered by an event that is currently occurring on or imminently threatening the campus. Emergency notification procedures are initiated for any significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus.

• 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:

Familiarize yourself with the locations of the emergency call boxes around campus. A map of the emergency call boxes can be found here.

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

Congratulations to all on another successful semester. On behalf of the Department of Public Safety, I hope you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season. As we prepare for winter break, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• 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. Students are highly encouraged to take valuables home with them during the winter break. 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.

• It has come to our attention that a phone scam is circulating this holiday season.  Scammers pretend to represent a major energy provider and claim that they will cut your electrical power unless they receive a same-day payment. This scam affects businesses as well as residential consumers. There are strict regulations governing the proper shut off of utilities and the legal process includes several written notices sent to you, the customer. If you receive on of these calls, notify local law enforcement immediately.

• If you plan to host a special event off-campus in the downtown area, please be sure to contact the City of Charleston’s Recreation Department for a permit. For more information on the application and approval process, please visit the Recreation Department’s website. You can also access the City of Charleston’s Special Events Ordinance here.

• As winter 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.

• Recently, there have been several burglaries in the area immediately adjacent to the campus. Whether you live on or off campus, please make sure that you are locking all doors, windows, and other points of entry into the residence. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious, notify Public Safety or local law enforcement immediately.

• 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:

Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home. This may entice a passerby. Keep these items out of view and store them in a secure location within your home.

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

The fall semester is quickly coming to an end. With finals just around the corner, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• In light of recent events around the country, Public Safety encourages campus community members to take advantage of our active shooter training. This 45 minute course covers the following: the definition of an active shooter; statistical realities behind active shooter incidents; how to identify concerning or suspicious behavior; reporting methods; main options for civilian self-defense; and what to do when law enforcement arrives on scene. Public Safety is available to present this training to staff or group meetings, or individual classes.

• With assistance from the Law Enforcement Officer Naloxone Training Program, fifteen of our Public Safety Officers have been trained and carry the life saving drug Narcan. Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids, such as heroin and narcotic pharmaceutical drugs, and reverses an  The training focused on the identification, treatment, and reporting of drug overdoses attributed to opiates. All Public Safety Officers will receive this training and carry Narcan by mid January.

• As we are experiencing cooler temperatures, our fire inspectors have important information to pass along regarding the use of portable space heaters. For students living in on-campus housing, at no time should portable space heaters be used as a supplementary source to replace a buildings fixed heating system. Although the use of space heaters in faculty and staff offices is discouraged, the International Fire Code specifies that portable, electric space heaters shall not be operated within 3 feet of any combustible materials. In addition, the space heater must be plugged directly into an outlet, or an approved power strip. Remember, 79% of fire deaths can be attributed to space heater sources of fire.

• Recently, there have been several burglaries in the area immediately adjacent to the campus. Whether you live on or off campus, please make sure that you are locking all doors, windows, and other points of entry into the residence. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious, notify Public Safety or local law enforcement immediately.

• Finals week is a high stress time for all college students. Counseling and Substance Abuse Services is a free on-campus resource available to students experiencing issues such as stress and anxiety.  CASAS also offers support through the Cougar Counseling Team, which is available Monday-Thursday, from 4pm – 9pm through the school year, and no appointment is needed. Students can also find additional support through the Center for Student Learning’s Cougar Countdown activities. If you are concerned about the well-being of a student, you may submit an anonymous FAST report.  These forms may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students.

• 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 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:

With the holidays around the corner, many of us will be making online purchases.  Never buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn’t have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. You’ll know if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL in the address bar.

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

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

It is hard to believe how quickly the semester is passing by. I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. As we continue into the fall semester, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• Recently, there have been several burglaries in the area immediately adjacent to the campus. Whether you live on or off campus, please make sure that you are locking all doors, windows, and other points of entry into the residence. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious, notify Public Safety or local law enforcement immediately.

• This weekend we will experience the end of Daylight Savings Time, and accordingly turn our clocks back an hour. Our evenings will become darker much earlier, and activities around campus will continue far past nightfall. Activities that used to occur in the daylight will now occur in the darkness: going to your vehicle after work, walking home from class, attending a campus meeting or event. With the early onset of nightfall, we must make adjustments to our daily routines. Please take a moment to review safety tips here.

• With fall break quickly approaching, please take proper precautions to keep you and your valuables safe. When leaving your residence for fall 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 are traveling, do not pack your vehicle and leave it overnight prior to your departure.

• The Department of Public Safety will be conducting our annual Campus Safety Walk on November 16, 2016 at 5:30pm. We will meet in the lobby of Stern Center. This is an opportunity for members of the College of Charleston community to discuss safety and security concerns. During the event, attendees will walk the campus with a Public Safety Officer and point out any evident concerns. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

• 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:

Did you know that Public Safety provides security surveys for students living on campus? Please contact Officer Sloan (sloanm1@cofc.edu) to schedule a security survey of your on-campus residence. Students living off-campus may request a security survey by contacting the Charleston Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit. You may also pick up a home security checklist at Public Safety.

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

I hope that everyone arrived safely back on campus after Hurricane Matthew. As the temperature finally starts to cool down, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• Thank you again to all of our campus partners who helped make National Campus Safety Awareness Month a success. The College of Charleston Department of Public Safety was declared the winner of the Clery Center’s NCSAM social media contest. Throughout the month of September, the Department utilized various social media outlets to showcase how our institution promotes campus safety awareness.

• The Department of Public Safety will be conducting our annual Campus Safety Walk on November 16, 2016 at 5:30pm. We will meet in the lobby of Stern Center. This is an opportunity for members of the College of Charleston community to discuss safety and security concerns. During the event, attendees will walk the campus with a Public Safety Officer and point out any evident concerns. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

• Attention all bicyclists! Public Safety needs your help. Bicycle larcenies continue to be one of the top crimes on the College of Charleston campus. This semester, our officers are noticing more and more bicycles that are not properly locked, or not locked at all. As a reminder, it is important that your bicycle is locked to a designated bicycle rack at all times, even if you are just stepping away for a moment. For more information on how to properly secure your bicycle, stop by Public Safety, or visit this webpage.

• 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:

If you plan on partaking in Halloween festivities, remember that no one over 16 may wear a mask in public, and even that is only allowed for actual Trick-or-Treat activities. If attending a late night event or costume party, people must wait until they arrive to put on any masks. Please visit our website for more local ordinances, and for Halloween safety tips.

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

September has been a busy month for all of us. We have enjoyed seeing all of you at our various events throughout National Campus Safety Awareness Month. As we continue into the fall semester, here are a few things to pass along from Public Safety:

• On September 29th, the Student Government Association will be hosting the annual bike auction. The bike auction will be held on George Street from 11am-2pm. Cash or check payments only. Representatives from Public Safety will be on scene to register bicycles.

• The Office of Victim Services will be hosting the eighth annual No Violence-No Victims Candlelight Vigil on September 22nd at 6:45pm in the Cistern Yard. Two CofC students and an alumna will share their stories of victim to survivor. Stand in support of commitment to reducing and eliminating interpersonal violence. The rain location for this event is the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Beatty Center.

• We have had an excellent turn out for our Active Shooter Response Trainings during the month of September. We will be hosting an additional session on September 30^th at 10am in Stern 201. This 45 minute presentation will cover: the definition of an active shooter; statistical realities behind active shooter incidents; how to identify concerning or suspicious behavior; reporting methods; main options for civilian self-defense; and what to do when law enforcement arrives on scene. This training is open to all students, faculty, and staff. More information can be found here.

• Attention all bicyclists! Public Safety needs your help. Bicycle larcenies continue to be one of the top crimes on the College of Charleston campus. This semester, our officers are noticing more and more bicycles that are not properly locked, or not locked at all. As a reminder, it is important that your bicycle is locked to a designated bicycle rack at all times, even if you are just stepping away for a moment. For more information on how to properly secure your bicycle, stop by Public Safety, or visit this webpage.

• Moped thefts, motor vehicle thefts, and thefts from motor vehicles are still on the rise in the Charleston area. Please take necessary precautions to protect your personal property. Never leave the vehicle running while unattended. Be sure to park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving valuable property inside your vehicle. Most importantly, always lock your vehicle. Trends in auto thefts indicate that over half of vehicles stolen are left unlocked at the time of theft. More information can be found 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:

In the last 6 months, there have been over 20 motor vehicle thefts in the Charleston area where individuals have left spare keys in the vehicle. You may have a key in your car you do not know about. Check the owner’s manual for one in the form of a credit-card-cut-out, or a valet key. “Hide-a-key” boxes are also a problem. As a reminder, always lock your vehicle, remove any valuables, and do not store a spare key inside the vehicle.

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