University Safety Programs

The Division of Law Enforcement and Safety includes the following departments:

• Vehicle Management and Parking Services

• Law Enforcement Services

• University Police Department

As a system, the Division responsibilities extend throughout the eight campuses and the Director’s Office monitors and serves as a resource in the areas of vehicle management and parking services, transportation, and public safety needs. Currently, three campuses have police departments with Columbia being the largest. Ongoing crime awareness and fleet safety programs serve to enhance the overall safety and security needs of the University System.

The mission of the Division is to provide, through the responsible management of resources, a safe and peaceful environment for students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

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The goals of the Division are:

• To provide a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and faculty so that these individuals may participate in the life of the educational institution.

• To provide police service to the University Community 24 hours a day by highly trained state law enforcement officers who are sensitive to the needs of an academic community.

• To provide educational programs for students, faculty, and staff designed to increase their knowledge of safety and the likelihood that they will make responsible decisions in this area.

• To help meet the transportation needs of the University Community by providing leased vehicles for official business.

• To provide a shuttle service designed to ease the urban parking problems associated with a university of this size and location.

• To develop improved programs designed to enhance the services provided by the Vehicle Management and Parking Services area of the Division.

The overall crime rate at USC has decreased over the past decade. This reduction in crime can be partly attributed to the various programs and activities conducted by the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety and the increased community commitment and involvement.

Project ID
This service enables students, staff, and faculty members to have their name, social security number, and University identification code engraved on personal property. Labeling property in this manner deters thefts and aids in the recovery of stolen merchandise.

Call Boxes
In 1989, an emergency telephone system was established to better provide for the safety of the University Community. Over ninety emergency call boxes are strategically located throughout the Columbia campus which enable persons to summon police assistance at the touch of a button.

Presentations
The Office of Crime Awareness offers presentations on crime awareness, alcohol and drugs, rape, and a variety of other important topics which not only deal with current problems, but also provide a proactive approach to prevent problems in the future.

Publications
Many different publications, newsletters, and brochures are generated for students, faculty, and staff which provide valuable information on how to deter crime and personal protection.

Victim/Witness
The Division of Law Enforcement and Safety employs a victim/witness coordinator who contacts individuals that have witnessed or been the victim of a crime. These individuals are provided with information and assistance. Call 777-8400.

Safety Days
The Office of Crime Awareness sponsors a week long program to increase awareness among students regarding ways to reduce the risk of becoming a crime victim.

APO Escort Service
This service provides a free escort throughout the campus area or perimeter. Extra security and protection is provided during the spring and fall semester.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD)
This program offers real-life situations and reactions. It deals not only with physical self defense but also incorporates the psychological defense mechanisms useful in abating a dangerous encounter. Graduates of this program stand an 80% chance of escape when using their learned skills in these situations.

The primary goal of all programs offered by the University is to better inform and educate the community in an effort to help minimize the chances of becoming a crime victim.

Preventing crime is a shared responsibility between law enforcement and the population it serves.  At the University of South Carolina, crime prevention is equally divided between the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety, the faculty, staff, students and visitors.  Every individual needs to realize that apathy promotes criminal activity and personal involvement prevents it.  Do not become apathetic should you witness something suspicious.  Do not assume someone else has, or will, report it.  If you suspect a crime is being committed or has been committed, whether you are the victim or a witness, contact the police department immediately.  Call the University Police Department at (803) 777-4215 or, if it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or utilize one of the many call boxes located throughout campus.  If you reside off campus, call the local authorities.
 

When you call any police department, be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name.
•Location of the incident about which you are reporting.
• A description of the suspect, his/her location/direction of escape
• A description of any vehicles involved in incident.
• The necessity for medical assistance.

If you suspect a crime is being committed or has been committed, call the police department immediately. The University Police Department is located at 1501 Senate Street (at the corner of Bull Street). 
 

Situational Responses

Assault
If you are a victim of an assault, you should call the University Police Department as soon as possible. Try to remember as much about the person as possible - sex, race, hair color, body size, clothing, direction of travel, and type of vehicle. The better description you can give, the more likely the chance that the subject may be caught.

Sexual Assault
This is one of the most traumatizing crimes that can be committed. If you are the victim of a sexual assault, we urge you to report it to the police as soon as possible. Crimes of this nature are handled with the utmost confidentiality and the victim will be given the full support of many University resources. The police officer who responds to your call will be sensitive to all your needs not just the apprehension of the criminal. Remember, reporting the crime and receiving the proper medical/psychological assistance does not mean that the case will be prosecuted. Those decisions can be made later.

Prevention
Students are asked to take an active part in the Campus Crime Prevention Program and their own personal safety by doing a few simple things to keep them safe:

• Avoid walking alone. Travel in pairs or groups or call for an escort.

• Avoid shortcuts through dark or infrequently traveled areas.

• Park in well lit areas and always have your keys ready.

• Engrave and register all valuables - a service provided free by the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety (777-0855).

• Be aware of your surroundings and potential danger spots.

• Never leave backpacks, books, or purses unattended

• Never prop doors open and always lock room doors, even when you leave for just a few minutes.

• Do not give room key or loan University ID to anyone.

• Report strangers or unusual behavior to the University Police Department and the hall staff.

Law enforcement personnel within the Division are appointed and commissioned as State Constables by the Governor of South Carolina as provided by Title 23, Chapter 1, Article 60, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended. As such, they are empowered to enforce the laws of South Carolina with statewide authority. State Constables are under the regulatory control of the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and must be certified by the SC Law Enforcement Training Council. All officers are required to successfully complete training at the state police academy prior to performing police duties.

The Division works closely with the city, county, and state police agencies to provide a safe environment for all community members. The University Police Department has direct radio communication with the Columbia Police Department. University investigators meet regularly with other area investigators to share information of mutual interest. The prosecution of all criminal offenses, both felony and misdemeanor, is conducted in Magistrate’s and General Sessions Courts of Richland County.

The University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement and Safety (USCDLES) was awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) on November 23, 1996, and reaccredited in 1999, 2003, and 2006.  CALEA is the product of a union of the International Association of Chiefs of Polices (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) who joined together to create an organization that would unify police organizations all over the world. USCDLES was the first educational institution in South Carolina to achieve accreditation. . We were able to show proof by documentation and demonstration that we have remained in compliance with 342 applicable standards over the past several years through an agency wide cooperative and unified effort.

The University of South Carolina is concerned about the abuse of alcohol and the use of drugs on all campuses. The University is in compliance with the Drug Free School Act of 1989 and has established the Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs under the guidance of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The University’s drug and alcohol policy is made available to all interested parties. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to read the entire drug and alcohol policy provided in this student handbook. An alcohol and drug education and counseling program is also provided. Additional information is available by calling 777-6688.

The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 and the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 and 1998 amend the Higher Education Act by imposing certain student consumer information requirements on all institutions.

Providing crime statistics is a part of crime awareness. The Division of Law Enforcement and Safety has been providing crime data since 1981 for the Carolina community. Dissemination of this information is key to educating the Carolina community about the occurrence of crime on campus.
 

Office of Sexual Health and Violence Prevention

This Office provides comprehensive programs and services for USC’s campus which address the concerns of sexual health, sexual assault, and relationship violence. The Office is staffed by one Associate Director, two Program Coordinators/health educators, social work interns, and graduate assistants. Major activities are summarized as follows:

•     Sexual Health Programs:  The role of Sexual Health Programs is to provide information and raise awareness about sexuality issues including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, contraception, sexual orientation, communication and healthy relationships. The staff, trained graduate students, and S.H.A.R.E. peer educators provide educational workshops on these topics to University 101 classes, other academic classes, residential living staff and students.

•     Office for Sexual Health & Violence Prevention: The Office for Sexual Health & Violence Prevention also offers a resource center for students to acquire information about sexuality and STIs, sexual assault & date rape drugs for papers, class presentations, or personal inquiry. Videos, books, and other resources on topics such as sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, contraception, etc. are available to view in the office. Informational brochures on a variety of topics are also available

•     Relationship Violence and Stalking Services: Provides 24-hour emergency crisis intervention and advocacy; temporary alternative housing relocation for both on-campus and off-campus students; safety planning and options counseling; relationship violence survivors’ groups; and educational programs on topics of relationship violence risk reduction strategic and safety planning.

•     For emergency assistance contact the USCPD dispatcher at 9-911 if on campus, and 777-4215 if off campus. SH&VP staff are available during business hours Monday-Friday, and are on-call for after hours emergencies by calling 777-4215. The Office is located on the lower level of the Thomson Student Health Center.

         •     Workshops for residence halls, student organizations 
                 and classes include: Let’s Talk about Sex, Talk Dirty to 
                 Me, Healthy Relationships, The ‘A’ Word and The Big O.

         •     Awareness campaigns:
               •         Domestic Violence Awareness Week
               •         Sexual Assault Awareness Week
               •         Stalking Awareness Week
               •         World AIDS Day
               •         Sexual Responsibility Week

 

Student Services and Emergency Numbers

Dial this number from any campus phone for fire, medical, or police assistance. If you feel threatened or see something suspicious, don’t delay!

APO Escort 777-3825

·        Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 8:00 pm Midnight

·        Escorts anywhere on campus! 

Sexual Trauma Services of Midlands 252-8393

·        Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

·        Help Line 771-4357 (24 hour crisis intervention)

Sexual Health & Violence Prevention

·        Business hours: 777-8248

·      Emergency: 777-7619

Victim/Witness Coordinator 777-7786

University Police Department 777-4215

Counseling & Human Development Center 777-5223

Thomson Student Health Center       777-3174