Student/Employee/Visitor Guide to Public Safety
Prepared by the Department of Public Safety http://webware.princeton.EDU/PUBSAF/
Princeton University is a community of more than 11,000
persons working, living and studying on an attractive,
historic campus. As in virtually all communities, concern
for public safety, crime prevention and the impact of crime
is often present.
The Department of Public Safety has as its primary
responsibility the safety and security of all members of the
University community. This task, however, is not one we can
accomplish alone. We encourage you to promptly report any
hazards or criminal activity to our office.
If you should have questions or would like further
information about security and safety at Princeton, please
contact us.
Jerrold L. Witsil
Director of Public Safety
Reporting emergencies on campus
For any fire, police or medical emergency, call the
Department of Public Safety immediately. Call 911 from any
campus phone or press the red button on any "blue light"
emergency phone. We encourage you to report any crime,
regardless of how insignificant it may seem, by calling
258-3134. The officer who answers your call is trained in
handling emergencies. In response to your call, the
communications officer will dispatch Public Safety personnel
and the appropriate local police, fire and medical teams to
your location.
Access to the University
Princeton University grounds are open to visitors with
tours available through the Orange Key Guide Service.
Vehicular access to campus is controlled, and visitor
parking is allowed in designated areas or by special permit
only.
University facilities are open only to members of the
campus community and escorted or authorized visitors.
Academic and administrative buildings are locked after
normal working hours, and residence halls are controlled by
electronic card access locks. Alarms register with Public
Safety when doors are not secured. A full time Alarm Shop is
on call 24 hours a day to make needed repairs to any part of
the security system.
Alcoholic beverage and drug policy
Students are expected to be acquainted with and abide by
state laws and University regulations regarding alcohol and
drugs and to be aware of the social, physiological and
psychological consequences of excessive drinking. The
University provides educational programs as well as
counseling services. The University alcoholic beverage
policy is designed to be consistent with NJ laws, with a
legal drinking age of 21 years.
Crime prevention
The Department of Public Safety offers a comprehensive
crime prevention program. Brochures are available,
describing the types of crimes that are most apt to affect
our campus, and are distributed to members of the community
and visitors. Safety and crime prevention are an important
part of orientation programs for both students and new staff
members. A Police Blotter published on the Internet keeps
the community abreast of police matters on campus. Articles
on crime and crime prevention appear in the Princeton
Weekly Bulletin and the Daily Princetonian.
Crime analysis bulletins are distributed on campus, and
timely Crime Alert notices are posted whenever incidents
occur that could threaten the safety of members of the
community. Informal meetings can be scheduled at any time
for groups with security concerns or interests. The Campus
Safety Committee, made up of students and administrators,
meets regularly to discuss programs that could make our
campus an even safer place.
The reporting of thefts is not required, but it is
important to know that 339 theft incidents were reported on
the Princeton campus in 1998, compared with 335 in 1997 and
304 in 1996. Bicycle thefts account for the highest
percentage of these (123 incidents).
Of the 46 incidents of reported burglary in 1998, 30 were
forced entries. Although there were no cases of sexual
offenses reported to the Department of Public Safety in
1998, one incident was reported to other University
officials. The two reported hate/bias crimes in 1998 were
one vandalism case involving symbolic graffiti and one case
involving anonymously written harassment.
In addition to the above, local police authorities
reported 10 burglaries, one motor vehicle theft and no
sexual assault incidents in off-campus facilities owned or
controlled by student organizations or the immediate area
adjacent to the campus in 1998.
Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety consists of 60
professionally trained personnel who patrol the campus 24
hours daily.
Uniformed Public Safety officers, and proctors, who are
not in uniform, are primarily responsible for building
security and enforcement of parking and traffic regulations.
Proctors have the authority of commissioned police officers
with full power of arrest under NJSA 18:6-4.3 and are
required to complete a rigorous basic peace officer training
program. In addition, specialized advanced training
continues throughout the proctor's career.
The campus falls under the jurisdiction of several local
police agencies whose services the Department of Public
Safety supplements, rather than replaces. The Department of
Public Safety maintains a close working relationship with
those agencies. Local police agencies provide information to
the Department of Public Safety on matters of criminal
activity at off-campus recognized student activities.
Sexual assault
Princeton University is committed to creating and
maintaining a community in which students, faculty and staff
can work and study in an atmosphere free from all forms of
harassment, exploitation or intimidation.
Victims of a sexual offense have the right to report the
incident to Public Safety at 911; to report the incident to
the appropriate police agency and pursue criminal charges;
to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, including the
collection and preservation of evidence crucial to pursuing
criminal prosecution; and to access the wide range of
support services provided by the University.
The Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and
Education (SHARE) office at McCosh Health Center has
developed comprehensive programs on assault prevention and
has established procedures for reporting violations of
University policy. For further information or assistance
relating to these programs, contact the SHARE office at
258-3310 or obtain a copy of their brochure "Campus Sexual
Assault: What You Should Know."
Victims of sexual assault are urged to seek help
immediately by calling 911 or going to McCosh Health Center.
If you need medical transport, call Public Safety at
258-3134. Calling Public Safety for transport will not
result in an investigation unless you disclose the
particulars of the assault. Regardless, seek medical
treatment immediately and get counseling. If you call 911,
Public Safety will respond to assist you in receiving
medical treatment or contacting off-campus authorities. A
confidential SHARE counselor who has been trained to deal
with sexual assault issues will be available to talk with
you. The counselor can assist you in contacting on and
off-campus resources for medical, legal or emotional
support. They can also assist students in changing an
academic or living situation following an incident of sexual
assault.
All forms of or attempts at sexual assault are regarded
as serious University offenses that are likely to result in
suspension, required withdrawal or expulsion. Both the
accused and the accuser have the right to have an adviser
present at the hearing, and both will be notified of the
outcome of any such proceedings. Prosecution under NJ
criminal law may take place independently of charges under
University regulations.
Other programs
The University community is encouraged to take advantage
of the crime prevention programs available from the
Department of Public Safety. The Campus Shuttle Service runs
daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am during the academic year. In
addition, escorts are available through the Department of
Public Safety. Students are encouraged to register their
bikes with Public Safety, free of charge, which also
entitles them to use a bike lock for a small refundable
deposit. Bikes should always be locked to an immovable
object. Electronic engravers are available for engraving
computers, stereos, cameras and TVs.
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Crime statistics
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The following crimes were reported during the
past three years.
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Offense
|
1996
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1997
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1998
|
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Murder
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
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Sex offense (forcible)
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
|
Sex offense (nonforcible)
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
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Robbery
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
Aggravated assault
|
0
|
6
|
2
|
|
(1998 incidents
occurred
outside of dorms)
|
|
|
Burglary
|
43
|
42
|
46
|
|
(29 1998 incidents
occurred
in dorm areas)
|
|
|
Auto theft
|
2
|
4
|
5
|
|
(2 1998 incidents
occurred
in dorm areas)
|
|
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Manslaughter
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Arson
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Hate/bias crime
|
0
|
0
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2
|
|
Drug/alcohol arrest
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
|
Referred for possible discipline
for violation of alcohol policy
|
|
91
|
|
(79 1998 incidents
occurred
in dorm areas)
|
|
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Weapons violations
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
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