Crime Prevention & Services Provided	Physical Plant
Crime Reporting	Weapons
Drug & Alcohol Policy

The Department of Public Safety & Police exists as a support unit of the college for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an atmosphere in which people can go safely about their varied activities in furtherance of the college’s higher objectives.  This department must accomplish its mission through excellence in policing, safety, security and traffic management.

Davidson College Campus Police Officers derive their police powers from the State under the provision of North Carolina General Statute 74-E.  The Attorney General of North Carolina upon certification of several rigorous standards grants police commissions under this statute.  The commission provides the individual officer with all the powers of municipal and county police officers of North Carolina, including the power to make arrests for felonies and misdemeanors within their jurisdiction.

The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police is the primary response agency for all crimes and incidents on campus, providing emergency assistance, investigating and documenting incidents, and is the liaison with local police, fire and medical response agencies.  The Department is located in the Tomlinson building and provides public safety services 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week.  Campus Police Officers may be reached at any time by dialing extension 2178 from any on-campus phone, or the duty phone at (704) 609-0344.  You may also visit the Public Safety & Police Office in the basement of the Tomlinson building to report a crime or incident or to request assistance. 

Working with other college departments, the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police encourages all victims of crime to immediately report such incidents to Public Safety.  This provides immediate and professional assistance to victims, and also provides the Public Safety & Police Department and the College with an accurate statistical count of crimes.

In addition to reporting incidents and crimes to the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police, victims are also urged to report crimes to local police department when incidents occur off campus.  The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs.  Public Safety Officers are trained in CPR, Basic First Aid, fire safety procedures, and receive a variety of in-service training in topics pertinent to the law enforcement profession and the college campus environment.

Crime Prevention & Services Provided

The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police provides a variety of Public Safety services.  As part of the institution’s educational mission, the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police offers advice to members of the community on how best to reduce their chances of becoming a crime victim.  The college’s crime prevention philosophy is one of eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunity whenever possible, and encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own safety and security.  Services provided by the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police include:  

• Personal Safety Escorts: For locations not served by the campus shuttle (and when it is not operating), from dusk to dawn escorts are provided upon request from and to any on-campus location.

• New Student Orientation Program: A representative of the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police speaks with parents of new students during the summer orientation programs and to new students in the fall as part of their orientation program.

• New Employee Orientation Program: In conjunction with the Human Resources Department, a representative of the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police speaks with new employees about security on campus.

• Operation Identification: The engraving of identifying numbers on items of value is highly recommended.  Engravers may be signed out at the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police at no cost.

• Security Surveys: Security surveys are conducted of exterior lighting, perimeter security, doors, locks, and the grounds of the College.  Deficiencies found are promptly reported to the Physical Plant Department.

• Blue Light Call Boxes: Blue light call boxes are located throughout campus.  These provide immediate two-way communication between Public Safety and those calling.

• Vehicle Assistance: Public Safety assists on-campus motorists with vehicle battery jump-starts and unlocks.

• Community Policing Programs: Public Safety Officers engage with the campus community to proactively scan, assess, respond, and analyze community concerns and issues.

• Silent Witness Program: As a Davidson College student, you are honor bound by the Honor Code and the Code of Responsibility to make known anything that is in violation of state or federal law, or a Redbook violation.  At Public Safety, we understand your reluctance to "stick your neck out on the chopping block".  We have developed the silent witness program to give you an opportunity to fulfill your responsibility as a student without "getting involved".

Crime Reporting

Numerous efforts are made to advise members of the campus community on a timely basis about campus crime and crime related issues.  These efforts include:  

• Annual Report: The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police annual report contains comprehensive information on crime reporting, safety on campus, community policing programs, as well as crime statistics.  This report is available to all employees and students, and is also accessible on-line and at the Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police.

• Student Newspaper: Public Safety Releases: Each week the student newspaper, The Davidsonian, publishes a summary of the previous week’s crimes and activities.

•  Public Safety Alerts: When circumstances warrant, special printed Public Safety Alerts are prepared and distributed throughout the campus.

• Campus Wide Electronic Mail: Electronic Mail is utilized to inform members of the community of public safety issues and concerns.

• Residential Life: The Davidson College Department of Public Safety & Police regularly communicate with members of the Residence Life staff, who then communicate with their resident students.

Drug & Alcohol Policy

Davidson College shall take all actions necessary and consistent with state and federal law and college policy, to eliminate the illegal use of drugs, including alcohol, within the college community.  In keeping with its mission, Davidson college will utilize educational strategies as its major approach to this problem; however one should be aware that any member of the college community, who uses illegal drugs or abuses any drug, including alcohol, might be subject to prosecution and punishment by police or civil authorities and to disciplinary proceedings by the college. Trafficking in illegal drugs is particularly offensive and the penalties reflect this judgment. Nevertheless, this policy does not seek punitive punishment for those who seek rehabilitation. All information provided by those who voluntarily avail themselves of drug or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation services will be confidential.

Physical Plant

The Physical Plant Department maintains college buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security.  This department communicates all deficiencies found to the Physical Plant Department for corrective action. 

Access to Campus Facilities

Campus buildings and facilities are accessible to members of the college community and to guests and visitors during normal business hours.  In order to provide for the security of all, individuals may be asked to produce identification.  All students are required to carry their photo identification card at all times, and to produce it to college officials upon request. 

Residential Facilities and Policies

Davidson College houses students in various accommodations, including dormitories and apartments.  Residence halls are locked at all times and require the use of a key card or combination code access to gain entry.  If the key card is lost or stolen report it to Public Safety immediately, the lost or stolen card can be deactivated and a new key card issued to the student.  The assistance of all students in not propping open doors or letting strangers into the residence facilities is very important.  Guests of students in dormitories must be sponsored prior to entry and accompanied by that sponsor whenever in the residence hall.  Guests must adhere to the designated visitation hours and are the responsibility of the student sponsor.  Residence Life staff members reside in each residence facility, and are available to provide assistance to students.

Weapons

The Public Safety & Police Department enforces state laws concerning the possession of illegal weapons on campus.  Weapons, including but not limited to, firearms, explosives, fireworks and knives are not permitted on any property owned or leased by Davidson College.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action and criminal charges.  The college also reserves the right to remove from the possession of anyone on campus (or their residence) any item, which may be deemed a threat to the safety and well being of others on campus.  Such items include but are not limited to knives, pellet guns, and other objects, which in and of themselves may not be illegal.