Crime Statistics & Policy Disclosure

Disclosure of Policies

The information contained in this document was prepared under the guidelines established by 20 United States Code, section 1092(f), known as the Jeanne Clery, Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, and the Code of Federal Regulations. The information represents a general description of Western Nevada Community College Colleges security/safety policies and programs, and the crime statistics for the most recent calendar year and the two preceding calendar years; however, the information is not intended to serve as a contractual agreement between the college and the recipient.

1. Introduction

Western Nevada College enjoys good relations with its neighbors and maintains a highly visible Public Safety Department that provides for the safety of the campus community. However, no community can be totally risk free in todays society. To lessen the chances of crimes occurring within the campus community, everyones cooperation and vigilance is needed. All members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately report all suspected crimes, unusual or suspicious activities, and emergencies to the Public Safety Department .

2. Campus Security

The Public Safety Staff of the Public Safety Department provides for the security and safety of the campus community. The division is based in the Bristlecone building. The telephone number is 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952, or on campus extension 3308.

The departments staff consists of one Public Safety Director, three full time security officers, four part time security officers, and three facility attendants. Public safety staff are trained in many areas of safety and security procedures and can intervene in most non criminal or suspicious behavior situations. The Public Safety Department also maintains a cooperative working relationship with local law enforcement and will request assistance as needed.

3. Security and Access to College Facilities

Western Nevada College strives to maintain a safe and secure campus environment for students, staff and visitors. Offices, laboratories and classrooms are secured when not in use and officers who discover defective doors and locks, interior/exterior lighting problems, or other safety hazards, immediately report the situation to the appropriate college department for action. To further improve safety, the college encourages all campus community members to take an active part and immediately report any observation of a suspected crime, unusual or suspicious activity, emergency, or hazardous condition to 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952, or on campus extension 3308.

The college does not own, maintain or control: a) dormitories or other residential facilities; b) off campus facilities for recognized student organizations; and c) non-campus buildings or properties that are used for educational purposes.

The campus is open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed on designated holidays.

4. Reporting Crime and Emergencies

Crime or other emergency in progress:
Students, employees and others are encouraged to report all criminal activity and emergencies occurring on campus. A report may be filed with a Public Safety Officer, appropriate personnel in the Public Safety Department , or by calling 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952 or on campus extension 3308. In emergency situation, 9- 911 may be called first, followed by an immediate notification to the Public Safety Department at 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952 or on campus extension 3308.

Reports of a past crime or incident may be made to the following enforcement authorities:

• • 1. The Public Safety Department : In person or by calling 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952.
    2. The Carson City Sheriffs Department: In person or by calling 775-887-2008.

The importance of reporting all crime:
The importance of reporting crime, suspected crime and unusual or suspicious activity to the Public Safety Department or a security authority cannot be over emphasized. The reports provide a basis for making timely warnings when a crime may present a threat to other members of the campus community and also assist the college in providing a full disclosure in the annual crime statistics report. In addition, such action by a victim or witness will assist in making the campus environment a safer place for the entire community.

Voluntary confidential reporting:
Western Nevada College allows a victim or witness to report crime on a voluntary and confidential basis. The Public Safety Department accepts and investigates all reported incidents, whether or not a victim or witness provides a name or other identifying information.

Confidential reporting to a Counselor:
Western Nevada College does not have a policy or procedure that encourages its professional counselors; if and when the counselor deems it appropriate, to inform the person being counseled of any procedures to report crime on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics. Generally, when counselors do not have the permission of the victim, they can only report the occurrence of a number/statistic to the law enforcement authority.

5. Sexual Assault Procedures, Reporting and Prevention

Reporting a sexual assault: Any student, employee or visitor who is the victim of a sex offense, forcible or non-forcible, is encouraged to report the assault to college authorities or the Carson City Sheriff. If a victim so chooses, he/she may be assisted by college authorities in reporting the assault to the proper law enforcement authorities. After making the report, the victim is not obligated to continue with legal or college disciplinary action. The assault may be reported in person at:

• • 1. The Public Safety Department : In person or by calling 775-445-3308 or 775-230-1952.
    2. The Carson City Sheriff: In person or by calling 775-887-2008.

Preserving evidence of a sexual assault:
After a sexual assault, it is very important that the victim receive a medical examination for health and evidentiary reasons. A victim should not wash; use the toilet or change clothes before seeing trained medical personnel. If clothes are changed, those worn during the assault should be placed in a paper bag and taken along to the examination. Even if the victim is certain that he/she will not prosecute, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible just in case the victim decides to pursue criminal charges as a later date

Coping with sexual assault:
Victims of a sexual assault may find it helpful to discuss their experience with a counselor. College counselors are available to meet with victims in an informal and private setting. The counselor can assist by changing a victims academic situation, serve as a source of referral to outside agencies, and provide information about on-and-off campus reporting, prosecution procedures, and the college disciplinary process. College counselors may be contacted by calling 775-445-3267.

Victims of a sexual assault may also receive free, confidential, twenty-four hour, counseling by calling the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673, extension 1. Trained counselors are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

How to reduce the risk of sexual assault (reproduced from the RAINN web site at http://www.rainn.org/):

• • 1. When you go to a party, go with a group of friends.
    2. Arrive together, watch out for each other, and leave together.
    3. Dont leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
    4. Dont allow yourself to be isolated with someone you dont know or trust.
    5. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Trust your instincts.
    6. Think about the level of intimacy you want in a relationship, and clearly state your limits..

Prevention programs:
Public Safety Officers conduct presentations relating to crime prevention and safety policies during orientations and at other times, when request by staff or students. Crime prevention materials are distributed to all incoming students.

College response to a sexual assault:
Sexual assault is a criminal act, which subjects the perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties in state and federal courts. Besides the sanctions that can be imposed in court, Western Nevada College will respond administratively if a sexual assault or other criminal offense involves a student or employee as the offender. Students and employees are subject to applicable NSHE policies and disciplinary procedures, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders or termination of employment for employees. Victims may commence a disciplinary action by submitting a written, signed statement detailing the incident to the Director of Human Resources. The accuser and accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during the disciplinary hearing, and in the case of sexual assault, both the accuser and accused shall be informed of the outcome.

6. Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Policy

College policy:
The NSHE complies with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to controlled substances, including alcohol. The possession, sale or consumption of an alcoholic beverage in any premises owned and/or leased/rented by WNC for approved educational purposes is prohibited.

College response to alcohol and drug violations:
Besides the sanctions imposed by federal and state courts concerning controlled substance violation(s), the college will respond administratively when the offense involves a student or employee as the offender. Students and employees are subject to applicable NSHE policies and disciplinary procedures. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders or termination of employment for employees.

Campus community members who may have an alcohol or drug problem can also receive assistance by calling:
Al-Anon at 1-800-356-9996
American Council on Alcoholism at 1-800-527-5344
National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline at 1-800-662-4357
DRUGHELP at 1-800-378-4435

7. Responding to Criminal Activity and Emergencies

Generally, a Public Safety Department Officer is immediately dispatched to all on campus incidents. A Public Safety Department Officer and, if necessary, a Carson City Sheriff will respond to each report of criminal activity. The Carson City Fire Department responds to reports of fire or medical emergencies.

8. Crime Awareness and Prevention Programs

Crime Awareness/Prevention Bulletin:
The occurrence of crime considered to present a threat to members of the campus community, is reported on a timely basis through the Crime Awareness/Prevention Bulletin. Copies of the bulletin are posted on bulletin boards throughout the campus, and all college departments are notified through electronic mail. The bulletin provides information on the specific crime(s) that occurred and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Incident/offense report information:
The Public Safety Department publishes weekly information on all incidents, administrative and criminal, occurring on campus. The information is posted on the bulletin board inside the Public Safety Department and Security Office and sent out to all employees by electronic mail. In addition, the Public Safety Department maintains a Daily Crime Log that contains the date, time, location, nature and disposition of all crimes occurring at the college and on adjacent public property. Entries in the log are made within two business days of the incident report.

Crime statistics:
Statistics and security policies, collated in accordance to the guidelines established in the Clery Act (20 USC 1092(f)), are published and distributed annually to all current students and employees, and when requested, to any applicant for enrollment or employment at the college. A copy will also be provided to anyone, upon request to the Director of Public Safety Department at 775-445-3308.

Escort service:
An escort service is available to the students, faculty and staff of Western Nevada College. A request may be made to the Public Safety Department at extension 3308 or 775-230-1952. An escort person will respond and accompany you to a vehicle or the bus stop closest to the campus.

Assistance for disabled motor vehicles:
Reasonable assistance will be provided to drivers whose motor vehicle is disabled on campus. Public safety staff may provide a battery boost if needed.

Safety presentations:
Members of the Public Safety Department provide safety presentations during class orientations. They are also available to talk to any department or groups of students. The orientations and talks are designed to educate members of the college community about the services provided by the Public Safety Department and how to avoid becoming the victim of a crime at the college.

9. Policies Regarding Weapons, Smoking and Children

Weapons:
The possession or use of a firearm on campus is strictly forbidden. The NSHE Governing Board promulgated the weapons policy under NRS 202.265 and NRS 202.3673. Anyone violating the policy is subject to arrest under NRS 202.265 and NRS 202.3673 and/or subject to applicable college disciplinary procedures.

Smoking:
Smoking is prohibited inside college buildings and within 25 feet of any entrance/exit door. Campus community members are requested to utilize the designated smoking areas for smoking. The designated areas are conveniently located and clearly marked.

Children on campus:
Children, younger than 18 years of age, may not attend a class unless they are officially registered for the class. Children that are not officially registered are not allowed on campus unless participating in an authorized college program or under the immediate supervision of an adult.

10. Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

Preparing the annual disclosure:
The Public Safety Department has the responsibility of gathering the data used to prepare the annual campus crime statistics. The data is obtained from reports made to the Public Safety Department , the Carson City Sheriff, campus security authorities and the college Counseling Department. In the case of the college departments, the data is gathered the same day that it is reported. Data is obtained annually from the Carson City Sheriff and compared with the data gathered at the college. The resulting data is used to prepare the annual crime statistics report.

11. Western Nevada Colleges Annual Crime Statistics

The following statistics were gathered in accordance to the guidelines established under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)). The crime definitions outlined in the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident Based Reporting System, as modified by the Hate Crime Statistics Act, were utilized in compiling the numbers.

12. Questions?

If you need more information about security policies and safety at Western Nevada College, please contact the Director of Public Safety Department at 775-445-3308. A college official will be glad to discuss your concerns.

13. Uniform Crime Reporting Offense Definitions

Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter:
The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

Negligent Manslaughter:
The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Forcible Sex Offenses:
Any sexual act (Forcible Rape, Forcible Sodomy, Sexual Assault With An Object, Forcible Fondling) or an attempted sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that persons will, or not forcibly or against the persons will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Non-Forcible Sex Offense:
Unlawful non-forcible sexual intercourse (Incest, Statutory Rape).

Robbery:
The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

Aggravated Assault:
An unlawful attack by one person on another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

Burglary:
The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft.

Arson:
Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

Motor Vehicle Theft:
The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Weapons Law Violations:
The violations of laws or ordinances dealing with weapons offenses, regulatory in nature, such as: manufacture, sale, or possession of deadly weapons; carrying deadly weapons, concealed or openly; furnishing deadly weapons to minors; aliens possessing deadly weapons; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned.

Drug Abuse Violations:
Violations of state and local laws relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, manufacturing, and making of narcotic drugs. The relevant substances include: opium or cocaine and their derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine); marijuana; synthetic narcotics (Demerol, methadone); and dangerous non-narcotic drugs (barbiturates, Benzedrine).

Liquor Law Violations:
The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, transporting, furnishing, possessing of intoxicating liquor; maintaining unlawful drinking places; bootlegging; operating a still; furnishing liquor to a minor or intemperate person; using a vehicle for illegal transportation of liquor, drinking on a train or public conveyance; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned (drunkenness and driving under the influence are not included in this definition).