Crime Awareness and Public Safety

The Public Safety Department (PSD) provides for the security and safety of the campus community. The department is located in the Student and Community Services building (B 125) and is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. College Safety Officers maintain a visible presence and proactively patrol campus parking lots and buildings on a regular basis.

The PSD has a staff of full-time and part-time officers. Some College Safety Officers are certified peace officers and therefore are empowered with the authority to conduct investigations and make arrests. The department's telephone number is 602-787-7900, or on campus extension 7-7900. The on campus emergency number is 7-79ll. The PSD maintains a cooperative working relationship with the Phoenix Police Department and will request assistance as needed.

PVCC strives to maintain a safe and secure campus environment for students, staff, and visitors. Offices and classrooms are secured when not in use and officers who discover defective doors or locks, interior/exterior lighting problems, or other hazards, immediately report the situation to the appropriate college department for action. PVCC's key control policy allows only select administrators to control the issuance of keys to individuals within their assigned areas. Access to campus buildings after hours requires the use of a Public Safety Department (PSD) card key.

PVCC building hours are from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday - Friday and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday. The college is closed on Sundays and designated holidays. Summer hours vary. After hour access rules can be obtained from the PSD. All campus facilities are monitored by silent burglar alarms after hours. All PVCC students and employees are issued photo identification cards and are expected to carry the card with them while on campus.

To report criminal activity or other emergencies to the PVCC Public Safety Department (PSD), please call our on campus emergency number 7-7911 or come directly to the PSD located in the Student and Community Services building, room Bl25. Emergency call boxes, located in the parking lots, as well as any of the house phones located in the hallway of each classroom building, may also be used to contact Public Safety regarding non-emergencies or from off campus please telephone 602-787-7900.

Specific details of the incident should be given. Criminal activity off campus should be reported to the Phoenix Police Department, or other local law enforcement agency by dialing 9-1-1. PVCC does not have a policy or procedure that would allow a victim or witness to report a crime on a voluntary and confidential basis. However, the PSD accepts and investigates all reported incidents, whether or not a victim or witness provides a name or other identifying information. Criminal activity may also be reported to the following offices, not connected to the PSD: Vice President of Student Affairs: 602-787-6612; Associate Dean of Students: 602-787-7020; Athletic Department: 602-787-6622; or the Counseling Department: 602-787-6540.

Each of these departments report any criminal activity to the PSD and it is used to prepare PVCC's Crime Statistics. A formal police report is not needed for a crime report to be included in the statistics. PVCC does not have a policy 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 permission of the victim, they can only report the occurrence of a number/statistic to the law enforcement authority.

A PVCC Public Safety Officer will respond to all incidents reported to Public Safety Department (PSD). When necessary the City of Phoenix Police Department and/or Fire Department will respond to emergencies on campus. In addition to immediate crisis response, PVCC also responds administratively if a reported criminal offense involves a PVCC student or employee as either a victim or alleged offender. An alleged offender who is a PVCC student or employee is subject to applicable PVCC and Arizona Community College State Board conduct policies, disciplinary procedures, and sanctions. Sanctions may include suspension or termination of employment for employee offenders (ACCSBRR 671-51).

PVCC designs programs to inform students and employees about Public Safety Department (PSD) procedures and practices. These programs also encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own security and the security of others. Personal safety steps are also offered. At the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester PVCC conducts a general student orientation program. This includes information on PSD programs.

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 that occurred and how to avoid becoming a victim. Reports are also made to the public by spreading the information personally by PSD officers. The PSD maintains a "Public Log Book", detailing the nature, date, time, place, and disposition of the incidents occurring on campus and adjacent property. Entries in the log are made within two business days of an incident report.

Crime 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 602-787-7900.

An escort service is available to the students and staff of PVCC. A request may be made to the PSD at extension 7-7900. An officer will respond and accompany you to your vehicle. PVCC PSD also offers assistance to drivers who have locked their keys in their car and/or whose car is disabled on campus. After the driver of the vehicle prepares and signs the appropriate vehicle assistance form, an officer will provide a battery boost or assist with opening the vehicle.

Members of the PSD also provide safety presentations during 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 PSD and how to avoid becoming the victim of a crime.

Victims of a sex offense, forcible or non-forcible, are encouraged to report the assault to the Public Safety Department (PSD) in person or by calling (602) 787-7900, the Phoenix Police Department or by calling 9-1-1, or the office of the Dean of Students or by calling (602)787-6612. A victim should not change clothes or bathe prior to alerting police due to a possible loss if evidence that is needed to prove a criminal offense. The PSD, in conjunction with the Counseling Office, will offer periodic programs throughout the year to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses.

In the event of a sexual assault, the Office of the Dean, Division of Counseling, and the PSD will assist the victim by notifying the victim of available counseling, mental health services, and referral to other community services. Assistance will also be offered concerning changing academic situations, if changes are requested by the victim and are reasonably available. College counselors can be contacted by calling (602)787-6541. Victims 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.

Sexual assault is a criminal act, which subjects the criminal and civil penalties in state and federal courts. Offenders involved in sex offenses are also subject to campus disciplinary procedures handled through the office of the Dean of Students. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders or termination of employment for employee offenders. In a disciplinary proceeding involving an alleged sexual assault, both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during the proceedings. Also, both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding which alleges a sexual assault. PVCC also encourages victims and witnesses of sexual harassment to report the ncident to the office of the Dean of Students.

As required by the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, law enforcement agency information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained by visiting the following internet address: http://www.azsexoffender.com/

PVCC is committed to providing an educational environment consistent with Maricopa Community College District policies, free from unlawful acts, and free from the problems associated with the unauthorized use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Accordingly, PVCC and the Maricopa Community Colleges support the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226). The possession, sale or consumption of an alcoholic beverage in any premises owned and/or leased/rented by the District for approved educational purposes is prohibited.

A variety of alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts occur at the college during each school year to educate students and employees of the health risks associated with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Campus community members who have an alcohol or drug problem can receive assistance by calling the following agencies: AL-ANON 1-800-356-9996; American Council on Alcoholism 1-800-527-5344; the National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline 1-800-662-4357; or DRUGHELP 1-800-378-4435.

Smoking is also prohibited inside the college buildings and within 25 feet of any entrance/exit door. Campus community members are requested to utilize the designated smoking areas for smoking. Children under the age of 18 may not attend a class unless officially registered for the class. Children that are not registered are not allowed on campus unless participating in an authorized college program or under immediate supervision of an adult. Additional information about health risks, programs available, the college drug policy and legal sanctions/disciplinary action may be obtained through the office of the Associate Dean of Students.

All persons who attend classes, are employed by Maricopa Community colleges, are visiting PVCC, or who otherwise have business with PVCC, are prohibited from carrying or possessing any type of deadly weapon. "Concealed Weapons Permits" are not valid on the PVCC campus.

Printable version