Crime Prevention Notices
Not all yellow notes on your windshield are bad things.
The Department of Public Safety is proactive in the prevention of criminal behavior. By issuing Crime Prevention Notices, the Department helps students, faculty, and staff draw attention to situations that could make them victims of crime. The effort and cooperation behind Crime Prevention Notices is to help the community make itself more aware of their surroundings and to partner with the Department of Public Safety to prevent crime on campus. These Crime Prevention Notices are used for vehicles, apartments, and offices.
Quick Crime Prevention Tips
...for your office or residence
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Always lock your doors (even if you're home) and your windows when you are not home. Report any problems to the Office of Residence Life, the Buildings and Grounds department, or to Public Safety.
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Don't prop your doors open. You're defeating the first line of defense for preventing a break in.
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Don't leave money, jewelry, credit cards, personal information, or other valuables simply laying around when you are not home or in your office. Small valuable items can be easily and quickly stolen.
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Don't open your door for anyone you do not know. Always look and see who's at the door before you answer.
...for your vehicle
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Always lock your car doors and make sure the windows are rolled up.
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Don't leave any valuables laying in your car that someone walking by might see. Remove money, wallets, purses, CD holders, radar detectors, and cell phones.
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If you have an aftermarket stereo with a removable face plate, remove it and take it with you. Your car is less likely to be broken into if a thief can't see aftermarket stereo equipment.
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Don't leave your keys in the car, or leave your car running... even for a few minutes. Cars can be stolen in less than a minute without keys... even quicker if the car's already running.
Presentations
The Department of Public Safety makes several Crime Prevention presentations to the various residence halls on campus. The presentations focus on topics that concern the College community and assist students in recognizing the potential for anyone to become a victim of a crime. The presentations further address emotional, legal, and financial ramifications connected with each crime.
The following are Crime Prevention topics that are addressed by the Campus Police at presentations throughout the academic year.
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Date Rape:
- The emotional trauma that the victim suffers and the process of prosecuting a suspect.
- The characteristics of a potential rapist and the risks of using alcohol.
- A brief discussion on the legal ramifications of rape.
- Procedures to follow if a rape occurs.
- The role of College officials in assisting the victim.
- General safety tips. -
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI):
- The legal definition of DWI according to Massachusetts General Law.
- Alcohol related accidents and ramifications of such accidents.
- Blood alcohol levels and its relation to body weight and gender -
Gambling:
- The use of "bookies" to place bets and the consequences if one fails to
repay debts.
- The financial and emotional problems that a gambler can face as their
habit increases. -
Alcohol:
- The use of alcohol and the importance of responsible drinking.
- Possession of fake identification and its legal ramifications.
- Resources for dealing with alcoholism. -
Drugs:
- The definition of Massachusetts General Laws on illegal substances and
the possession of such substances.
- The different types of drugs and the physical reactions the body can
have to them.
- The College policy on possession, selling, and manufacturing illegal
substances. -
Suspect Identification:
- A discussion on learning how to identify a suspect involved in a crime.
- How to give descriptions of vehicles involved by suspects.
- Learning how to give information to the police.
- The court process for a witness or a victim of a crime. -
General Safety:
- General safety tips on crime prevention.
- How to make yourself and your belongings less of a target to criminals.
- The value of engraving personal property.
- The use of chemical weapons (mace) in Massachusetts.
For more information on how to lessen the chance of becomming a victim of crime, contact Sgt. Michael Holhut, Crime Prevention Officer by phone: 413.782.1300 or by email: mholhut at wnec dot edu.