2005 Annual Crime Report

Office of the Public Safety Director
Jasper A. Cooke, 706-737-1401

Augusta State University’s annual security report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by Augusta State University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety or by accessing the following web site http://www.aug.edu/public_safety. 

Theft of both personal property and university property is the most prevalent crime on campus. Please help keep Augusta State University safe by reporting all suspicious and criminal activity to the Department of Public Safety at 737-1401.                      

The following report is in response to 20 USC 1092(f) (disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics act of 1990). It contains an abridged statement of the requirements and addresses our compliance.

1. Current campus policies regarding procedures and facilities for students and others to report criminal actions on campus and policies concerning the Institution’s response to the reports.

Augusta State University employs a campus law enforcement agency. The agency is registered with the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC). Public Safety submits crime reports to these agencies monthly.

The Augusta State University Police Department records all crimes or other emergencies occurring on the campus. When a crime is reported, a written report is made according to the Uniform Crime Report standards. This information is also maintained in our Automated Report Management System (ARMS).

A 24-hour emergency phone number, 737-1401, is widely publicized. The number is also displayed near each free student phone, and stickers displaying the number are placed on staff office phones. An emergency call phone that automatically dials the University Police emergency number is located beside the entrance to the University Police Building. There are currently (12) emergency Blue Light phones located around campus. These phones can also be used after hours to contact a University Police officer. Faculty, staff, and students are made aware of the procedures to report all crimes to the Public Safety Department during new employee and student orientations.

Augusta State University police officers possess criminal arrest authority and are trained and certified by the Georgia Peace Officer's Standards and Training Council. Training is equal to or surpasses many of the local municipal agencies in the Central Savannah River Area. They are also equipped and trained to carry firearms. University police officers and investigators prosecute law violators through the local court system ( Richmond County) when apprehensions or arrests are made.

Crimes that occur on or within the University jurisdiction may end with the violators or victims being outside campus police jurisdiction. The University police department works closely with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department and with agencies throughout the state to apprehend anyone who has violated the laws of the State of Georgia within the jurisdiction of the campus.

Officers and investigators inform victims of their rights under the "Victims Bill of Rights”. The staff of the Police Department is ready to assist victims in any way possible. Students may also report crimes to the Dean of Students whose office is located in Bellevue Hall, who will then report information received to Public Safety.

2. Current campus policies concerning security of and access to campus facilities, including residences.

Most campus facilities are normally unlocked during daytime business hours ( 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.). One computer lab is open twenty-four hours. Employees, students, or visitors needing access to facilities after normal business hours must notify the University Police. They must have a valid reason for entering a restricted area. For example, students are allowed to work in certain labs any time, but they must produce a current university I.D. card and be pre-authorized to enter these areas (pre authorization must be obtained prior to the students desire to enter the secure area, this is accomplished through faculty members submitting the required paperwork to Public Safety). Visitors or staff must show proper I.D. as well.

During semester breaks and holidays in which the campus is officially closed, students will be denied general access to closed facilities.

The campus after hour’s policy states:

1. Must have a valid ASU ID.

2. Must have prior WRITTEN PERMISSION from the Administrator in charge of the area where access is needed.

3. Must have a “Lab Partner” in certain restricted areas designated by the university for safety reasons.

4. Students are not allowed to bring non-students / unauthorized persons into ASU facilities.

Facilities are defined as buildings, labs, athletic fields, and / or other real property owned or leased by ASU.

Continuing Education students who use the facilities generally will not have a problem with building access after hours or on weekends. University Police and the Continuing Education Division coordinate usage of the facilities daily.

Several campus buildings are equipped with electronic intrusion systems. If anyone opens a door or breaks a window, each system is designed to notify the University police. The alarm initiates an immediate response. Several offices on campus are equipped with panic buttons that can be used in the event of other emergencies.

Many of the buildings on campus use exterior night lighting. Most campus parking lots are illuminated. The Physical Plant Department in conjunction with Public Safety maintains all bulb replacement and maintenance of lighting fixtures on campus.

University Village is a gated community with limited access and is patrolled by the department. Residents have an access ID card for entry to the complex as well as their apartment. All police matters are handled by the department’s police officers and all administrative matters are handled by UV staff.

3. Current policies concerning campus law enforcement including the enforcement authority of institutional security personnel and policies that encourage prompt reporting of all campus crime to the campus police and local police.

The Augusta State University Police Department employs 17 sworn police officers certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Their duties include law enforcement, safety, and security. Georgia Law ( O.C.G.A. 20-3-72) gives University System officers their authority to make arrests. The reporting of crimes, promptly and accurately, is encouraged through publications, the web page and through new employee/student orientations.

The relationship between University Police and the County Sheriff’s Department is excellent. They verbally exchange information about crimes that have occurred close to college property. Campus police and municipal agencies work closely together to locate victims, witnesses, or suspects, and to serve civil papers; e.g., garnishments, or court subpoenas for non-support. Both agencies also have shared radio channels for emergencies as well as day-to-day activity.

4. Descriptions of programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and to encourage them to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.

Publications are distributed through the campus news media and pipeline to inform students and employees about campus security procedures. The University police web page also contains valuable information. University police employees talk with employees in the business office, bookstore, cafeteria, and other departments throughout the campus to explain what to do if certain emergencies arise.

The department also has certified Red Cross First Aid CPR / AED instructors, who are available to teach employees and students. The Safety Policies Manual, the University Personnel Handbook, and the Student Handbook contain helpful information about security policies. The chief of police meets with student government representatives, and all ASU 1000 student classes (available to all clubs and organizations on campus) to provide information about department services, criminal activity and crime prevention methods.

5. Description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crime on campus.

The police department publishes timely information in the student newspaper, Pipeline and through e-mails to inform all students, faculty, and staff as to criminal activity that has occurred on campus. The chief of police or his designee speaks when requested to campus organizations to provide information about security policies, building access, location of emergency phones, crimes that occur, and other safety information of interest.

In cases where any Part I crime of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft occurs that is considered to be a threat to other students and employees, a timely report will be released to the campus community with the assistance of the University’s Office of Public Relations in a manner that will aid in preventing further occurrences.

6. Policy concerning the monitoring and recording through local police agencies of criminal activity engaged in by students at off campus locations including off-campus student housing.

Augusta State University maintains one off site housing unit for 400 students. University Village is a gated community with limited access and is patrolled by the department. All police matters are handled by the department’s police officers and all administrative matters are handled by UV staff.

For all other off campus issues, a written agreement was entered into between Augusta State University Police and the Richmond County Sheriff's Department as to how both agencies would handle reported crime. The county Sheriff’s Department will promptly notify Augusta State University police officers as well as other university officials when students have engaged in criminal activity. A written report follows the verbal notification 

7. Policy regarding the Possession, Use, or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages and the enforcement of underage drinking laws.

Alcohol is not allowed for sale or consumption on Augusta State University property. No functions held by school officials or outside interests will be allowed to possess, consume or distribute alcohol on University property unless approved by the president. Underage consumption of alcohol is a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia and punishable under Georgia Law. University Police Officers are trained to enforce violations of Georgia Law which may include, but are not limited to: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Violation of Open Container Law, and underage drinking. Abuses of alcohol or alcohol violations will be prosecuted under Georgia Law.

8. Policy regarding possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs.

Possession of any illegal drug by any member of the faculty, staff, or student body will not be tolerated. Violations will be dealt with in accordance to existing state and federal law. Employees in "high risk" positions are required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. They are also subject to random drug screening.

9. A description of any drug and alcohol abuse programs.

The Personnel Office periodically distributes brochures concerning alcohol and drug abuse. They also publish an updated list of available counseling centers in the Augusta area. A drug abuse video is available for staff and students that can be obtained through the Personnel Office. Annually a statement is released further stating the position of the college on alcohol and drug abuse. Personnel also provide new employees a copy of the University Drug Awareness Statement. Individual counseling is available for students and employees in the Counseling Center. If additional help is needed beyond counseling, referrals are made.

10. Institutional policy statement on campus sexual assault programs aimed at prevention of sexual offenses and on procedures followed once a sexual offense has occurred.

Students and employees wishing information on campus sexual assault may contact the University Police Department, the Counseling Center, University Village manager, or the Dean of Students.

Augusta State University has a sexual assault incident report and policy designed to ensure the safety and rights of the victim as well as the arrest of the offender. This policy can be found in the above listed offices or click here for the on-line version.