CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS AND SAFETY INFORMATION

To download the TCU Crime Statistics and Safety Information booklet in PDF format, click here

table of contents

WELCOME TO THE TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

All TCU police officers are fully qualified law enforcement officers with full police powers of arrest for offenses committed on property owned or controlled by TCU. Specialized training to enable a better understanding of the nature of policing on a private university campus is mandatory for all TCU police officers.

Our patrol section consists of automobile, bicycle, and foot patrol units. Patrol units respond to all calls for police service and the units are available 24 hours a day. The marked patrol cars, bicycles, and foot patrols ensure high visibility while covering all areas of the TCU campus and provides around the clock protection of campus community members and resources on property owned or controlled by Texas Christian University. Other police services offered are: escorts (if the Student Escort Service, which works under the supervision of the police department, is unavailable), vehicle "jump starts," for dead car batteries, building lock and unlock functions, crime watch, and crime prevention.

Major offenses such as sexual assault, murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and auto theft should be reported to TCUPD who will then investigate the offense with the assistance of the Ft. Worth Police Department, which has concurrent jurisdiction on campus. The joint efforts of TCUPD and FWPD will focus on solving these serious felony crimes. The prosecution of all criminal offenses, both felony and misdemeanor, are then presented to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office for disposition.

The TCUPD Crime Prevention office, located in room 155B of the Recreational Sports building, offers awareness programs, property identification programs, and other services (some are detailed elsewhere in this brochure). The University also has a full-time Ft. Worth Police Officer assigned as a Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO). This officer participates in all on-campus Crime Prevention functions and provides the University and the campus community with information concerning off-campus crime in the area surrounding TCU.

Your safety is our number one concern and we will help you in any way we can...but, you are a very necessary part of your own safety. You should always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions for your continued safe conduct.

The police department can be contacted by dialing 7777 or 7930 on campus or by using any of the more than 70 blue-lighted emergency phones located on the property. Assistance is just minutes away.

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DISSEMINATION OF CRIME INFORMATION AND STATISTICS

Timely Report

Every effort is made to keep the University apprised, on a timely basis, of crime problems confronting the campus community. When, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, a situation arises which constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a timely warning will be issued through the college email system to students, faculty, and staff; the campus’ student newspaper, The Daily Skiff; and the University’s cable television information outlet, the TCU Bulletin Board, Cable Channel 3.

Individuals who wish to report alleged criminal actions or emergencies that occur on the TCU campus may do so by:

Reporting Criminal Activity or other Emergencies

• Calling the TCU Police Department at 257-7777 (last four digits only if on campus)

• Visiting the TCUPD Office at 3025 Lubbock Avenue

• Utilizing any of the more than 70 emergency "Blue Light" phones located on campus or the emergency intercoms in building elevators

• Requesting assistance from a uniformed police officer, security guard, or any of the student volunteers (Escort Services)

• Reporting anonymously using the online "Tips" form located at: http://www.cap.tcu.edu/annontips.htm, or

• Reporting anonymously using extension 5833

TCUPD Responses

TCUPD will immediately dispatch an officer to investigate suspected criminal activity. Responses include, but are not limited to:

• Dispatch of one or more uniformed police officers

• Investigation of all reports

• Arrest and filing of charges, depending upon the circumstances of the offense

• Victim referral to assistance agencies, both on and off campus

• Referring alleged offenders to apopropriate campus agencies, such as Campus Life and/or Alcohol and Drug counseling

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF ANY CRIME

The TCU Police Department encourages anyone who is the victim or witness to any crime to promptly report the incident to the police. Because police reports are public records under state law, the TCU Police Department cannot hold reports of crime in confidence. Confidential reports for purposes of inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics can generally be made to other TCU campus security authorities* as herein identified.

If on campus...

Contact TCUPD at 7777 as soon as possible. Inform the dispatcher of the nature of the crime committed and the description and direction of travel taken by the criminal, if available.

Remember all you can about the criminal and give the description to the police dispatcher. Information to relate includes: race/sex of suspect, clothing description, height/weight, eye/hair color, any unusual features, jewelry, and a description of the suspect vehicle.

Stay on the telephone with the police dispatcher until he or she understands your information, if in so doing, you do not jeopardize your safety.

If off campus...

Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies, 335-4222 for non-emergency calls to Ft. Worth Police.

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EMERGENCY TELEPHONES

The emergency, "blue light" (on top of phone box for identification), phones are located in parking lots, on jogging paths, and near many buildings on campus. Should an emergency or any situations requiring police service arise: go to the emergency phone, open the cover, pick up the receiver (or press the button) and, when the dispatcher answers, relate the necessary information to get assistance to you. The location of the phone from which you are calling automatically registers in the dispatch office. The dispatcher will send officers to your location; try to remain near the phone from which you call, if in so doing, you do not further jeopardize your safety.

* Campus security authorities are identified as any member of the TCU Police Department, its officers and staff; and any University official who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, the offices of Campus Life, its Deans, and Directors; Residential Services office staff, Hall Directors, and Residential Advisors; the Department of Athletics (coaches); the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellors, and their respective offices; and any other University official who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the University.

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UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Sexual Assault

If you are a victim of sexual assault on campus, call the University police as soon as possible. If the assault occurs off campus, call the local authorities (911). If an assault occurs, don’t change clothes or bathe as all physical evidence, including seminal fluids, hair, blood types, and scrapings of flesh from the victim’s nails may be used in court.

You have the option of notifying police and/or contacting counselors who will assist you in making notifications. Victims can avail themselves of various professional referral programs located on campus. Other private organizations can be identified upon request. Students should refer to the Student Handbook or visit http://www.cap.tcu.edu/crime.htm for more information. Employees should refer to the Employee Handbook for further details.

The University will, if reasonably available, change the academic/living situation of a victim after an alleged sexual offense.

Procedures for campus disciplinary action in cases of alleged sex offenses can be found in the above-mentioned sources.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

All students, employees, and visitors are subject to State and local laws regarding the possession, consumption, and sale of alcoholic beverages on campus. Legal drinking age in Texas is 21 years of age. Students 21 years of age or older may consume alcoholic beverages in their dorm rooms only. No underage drinking is permitted on campus and doing so is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

Illicit drug usage is prohibited by TCU policy. Prescription drugs must be used as prescribed by a licensed physician and must conform to State law. Information on education programs can be found in the Student Handbook. For additional information, including penalties, see the police department website at http://www.cap.tcu.edu/alcoholdrug.htm.

Pastoral Care/Counselor Reporting Procedures

TCU community members are strongly encouraged to immediately report criminal activity and suspicious person(s) to the TCU Police Department. Incidents that may or may not be crimes may also be reported to "campus security authorities"*. Licensed counselors (including certified Sexual Assault Victim Counselors) and campus clergy (pastoral counselors) are exempt from reporting requirements. TCU encourages counselors and clergy; if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform those who they counsel of procedures for reporting crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the Campus Security Report.

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IDENTITY THEFT

The most common way thieves go about getting your personal information is by stealing your wallet. However, other ways include looking over your shoulder at ATMs and phone booths to capture your PIN number; stealing mail from your mailbox; digging through your discarded trash; and fraudulently ordering a copy of your credit record.

To prevent this from happening to you:

• Don’t give out your social security number. If a stranger telephones you asking for bank account or social security information, get a business number and call back.
• Tear into small pieces all credit card offers, ATM receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, and other printed materials that have your account numbers on them. Use a paper shredder if possible.
• Don’t send personal information over the Internet, through email, or over cellular phones.
• Don’t use passwords that are obvious - names (yours or those of your friends, relatives, or pets), birth dates, even street addresses. The best passwords mix numbers with upper and lowercase letters. A password that is not found in the dictionary is even better because there are programs that will try every word in the dictionary in an effort to crack your code.
• Avoid break-ins by changing your password regularly and memorizing it. If you have several, set up a system for remembering them. Don’t write your password on your notebook or stick it on a Post-it® note in your locker.

• Only give your credit card account number to make a purchase or reservation you have initiated. And never give this information over a cellular phone.

• Never give your credit card to someone else to use on your behalf.

• Watch your credit card after giving it to store clerks to protect against extra imprints being made.

• Destroy any carbons. Do not discard into the trash can at the purchase counter.

• Keep charge slips in a safe place.

• Protect your purse or wallet, especially when traveling or in crowded situations.

• Never leave your purse, wallet, or backpack unattended or in an unlocked area.

• Keep a master list in a secure place at home with all account numbers and phone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards.

• Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the last six months. Open credit is a prime target.

• Order your credit report at least twice a year. Reports should be obtained from all three major sources: Equifax (800.685.1111); Experian (888.397.3742); and TransUnion (800.680.7293).

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UNIVERSITY POLICE PROGRAMS

Froggie Five-0

Students who use the Escort Services (Froggie Five-0) have responded positively to the program. TCU police officer escorts are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student escorts however, operate between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 1a.m. If you need someone to walk with you from the parking lots to your dorm or provide transportation (when available), call Froggie Five-0. Use the emergency phones at various locations near parking lots and around campus or dial 7777 at any time to request the service. If you have a cellular phone in you car, you may phone TCU police at 257-7777, request an escort, and, in many cases, have the service waiting on you when you arrive. The TCU Police Department and Froggie Five-0 are here to assist you.

RAD Systems

The RAD program has been on campus since September, 1996 and has been well received by the campus community. RAD stands for Rape Aggression Defense system and it teaches women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault by utilizing easy, effective, and proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. RAD provides effective options by teaching women to take an active role in their own self-defense and psychological well-being. The RAD program was developed for and is offered to females only.

Crime Prevention Programs

Crime prevention and other services offered by TCUPD and the Ft. Worth PD Community Services Officer include:

• sexual assault/acquaintance rape prevention
• personal safety/healthy relationships training
• DWI awareness/campus alcohol policy information
• campus crime watch meetings
• crime prevention surveys for home and business
• "operation id" property identification system
• auto theft prevention (window etching)
• vehicle "jump starts" (due to possible problems with electric locks, we are unable to provide unlocking services).

Campus Crime Watch

Program emphasis is of a "neighborhood watch" nature with the TCU campus being our neighborhood. Meetings for the program are open to all students, faculty, staff, and friends. TCUPD’s Crime Prevention Specialist hosts the meetings and provides speakers on subjects of interest to campus community members.

Frog Shuttle

The TCU Shuttle service has been in service since September 1998. Offering two full-sized ADA-compliant buses, the services follows two different routes on campus and operates between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For routes and schedule information, see the Transportation Services web pages.

TCU TRAC

TRAC stands for Tcu Remote Area Carrier and is a new program on campus. Click here for more information on the TCU TRAC.

Bicycle Registration

The primary function of TCU's bicycle registration program is to provide identification for bicycles stored on campus. While bicycle registration with the TCU Police Department is not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to consider registering your bike with us. Click here for more information on the bicycle registration program.

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CRIME STATISTICS

 * 7 of the 13 reported motor vehicle thefts were golf carts

* 3 of the 4 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2005 were golf carts    

* 8 of the 13 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2006 were golf carts and 3 were unfounded                      

The Higher Education Amendments of 1992 impose new requirements for preventing, investigating, and reporting sex offenses that occur on campus. The category of rape has been replaced with sex offenses, forcible and nonforcible; the former includes forcible, sodomy, and/or fondling, and sexual assault with an object. Nonforcible sex offenses are acts of "unlawful, nonforcible sexual intercourse" and include incest and statutory rape. Acquaintance rape is listed as forcible rape.

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Texas Department of Public Safety Registered Sex Offender Database

Information concerning registered sex offenders:

In accordance with the "Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act" (CSCPA) of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Jeanne Clery Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the TCU Police Department herein provides a link to the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registration Database. The Act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. In Texas, convicted sex offenders must register with the Texas Department of Public Safety. The sex offender database can be accessed by visiting http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/soSearch/default.cfm. Click on the "read and agree" link to access the actual search form. You may search by offender first and last name, city and zip code, or by zip code. The zip code for TCU is 76129. The surrounding neighborhoods are covered by the 76109 zip code.

The TCU Police Department prepares this report annually to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This report is prepared in cooperation with the Fort Worth Police Department, TCU Residential Services, the office of Campus Life, and the Division of Student Affairs. Each entity provides updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act.

Campus crime, arrests, and referral statistics include those reported to the TCU Police, designated campus officials (including but not limited to directors, deans, department heads, housing staff, judicial affairs, advisors to students/student organizations, athletic coaches), and local law enforcement agencies. The Counseling Center staff informs their clients of the procedures to report crime to the TCU Police on a voluntary or confidential basis, should they feel it is in the best interest of the client.

Each year, an email notification is made to all enrolled students, faculty, and staff that provides the website to access this report. Copies of the report may also be obtained at the TCU Police Office located at 3025 Lubbock Avenue or by calling 817.257.5822. All prospective and current TCU employees may obtain a copy from Human Resources located at 3100 W. Berry Street or by calling 817.257.7790.

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TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE

• Develop a relationship with neighbors that will encourage checking on one another often.
• Report suspicious persons or activities to University Police.
• Lock up wallets, purses, jewelry, and other valuables.
• Report safety hazards, unsafe lighting, and defective equipment to residence hall staff.
• Be aware of your surroundings, know where you are, know where you are going and what to expect.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially during hours of darkness, and let people know where you are going.
• Plan your walk/jogging trips in advance and choose a safe, well-lighted, and populated route.
• Remember, most crime is committed in response to opportunity, so the best prevention is to eliminate opportunities.
• Keep your residence doors and windows locked at all times.
• Limit or restrict access to your living areas.

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SOME HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS

On-Campus Police Services

Off-Campus Police Services

Medical Services - Harris Hospital