Security, Facts and Figures
Campus Police
The University Police Department at Purdue Calumet staffs its own professional police force and is responsible for campus safety and security. The department is located in the Central Heating and Cooling Facility (CHC Building) on the northeast section of campus and operates on a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week schedule. Under Indiana State Law, University Police Officers possess full police powers on all property owned or occupied by the University. The department also operates under a written mutual aid agreement with the City of Hammond Police Department, which gives each department concurrent jurisdiction under special circumstances although primary jurisdictional areas are routinely respected.
All University Police Officers are graduates of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Officers also attend continuing education programs offered through the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy and other regional training programs. Officers are mandated to attend a minimum 16 hours of continuing education on a yearly basis in order to remain certified. Our officers routinely receive more.
Emergencies and Crime Reporting
Students, faculty, staff and guests of the University are encouraged to report emergencies and criminal or suspicious activity to the University Police Department immediately. To report any emergency on campus, dial 2911 from any campus phone. A “house” emergency phone has been placed in all academic buildings on campus. Additionally, outside call boxes are located throughout the campus, near the buildings and in each campus parking area, which have an automatic dialing system that will connect the calling party to the police emergency phone line. To report criminal or suspicious activity in which there is no immediate danger to persons or property, dial extension 2220 from any campus phone or 989-2220 from off campus phones. Additionally, an anonymous hotline is available at extension 2912 from any campus phone or 989-2912 from off campus phones. A University Police Officer will be dispatched to investigate and take a report. The University does not allow victims or witnesses to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis. Adherence to all federal, state and local laws, as well as university rules of conduct and common sense, will help enhance security on campus.
At the Academic Learning Center, in Merrillville, report all emergencies and criminal or suspicious activity to the Merrillville Police Department at 9-911 or 756-6165.
Campus Security Authority
In addition to the University Police, the following individuals are responsible for forwarding reports of crimes for inclusion in this report and also for placing the campus community on alert for the threat of repetition of these crimes that are considered to be a campus threat:
Dr. Ralph Rogers, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
James ‘Ken’ Johnston, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
Dr. Melinda Dalgarn, Vice Chancellor for Student Services/Dean of Students
Robert Bunnell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health, Recreation and Sports
These persons are willing to assist students and others in the University community in making crime reports to police agencies having jurisdiction. The University does not have any procedures encouraging pastoral and professional counselors to inform the persons they are counseling of any procedures to report crimes on a confidential basis for inclusion in the annual reporting of crime statistics.
Reported Crimes
Purdue University Calumet publishes and distributes this report or the notice of the existence of this report on a yearly basis to faculty, staff, students, prospective students and prospective employees. Statistics are gathered from crimes reported to the University Police Department and crimes reported to the Hammond and Merrillville Police Departments.
Crime incidents and crime statistics are regularly released to students and staff. This includes publication of 3-year crime statistics, weekly police blotter information to the student newspaper, occasional safety awareness and crime prevention articles to the student newspaper and staff newsletter.
The reportable crimes are Criminal Homicide, Negligent and Non-Negligent Manslaughter, Forcible and Non-Forcible Sex Offences, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft and Arson. Also reportable are arrests for and those students referred for disciplinary sanctions for Liquor Law Violations, Drug Law Violations and Illegal Weapons Possessions.
Purdue University Calumet retains the authority to monitor through local police agencies any criminal activity engaged in off-campus by the students of the University. This includes students engaged at off-campus locations of student organizations officially registered by the University and those student organizations with off campus housing facilities when and where available.
This document is published and distributed as required by the Cleary Act and the 1998 Amendments of the Act.
2006 – 2008 Annual Crime Stats
Crime Log
University Police maintain a daily crime log of the date, time, location, case number and disposition of all crimes filed with the department. Entries and updates are made in the log within two business days. The initial log is maintained for sixty days. Requests for data beyond sixty days will be provided within two business days.
Crime – Prevention and Safety
Unfortunately, crime has become an all too familiar part of our society and Purdue University Calumet is not immune. The University has joined the battle on many fronts and yet, victimization does occasionally occur because sometimes people take too much for granted and fail to exercise common sense precautions. Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings, stand tall and walk confidently, trust you instincts-if you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation leave quickly- are primary ways of reminding everyone to think about personal safety in common sense terms.
Purdue University Calumet has implemented several on-going programs and services to address many security concerns:
- University Police Officers conduct vehicle, bike and foot patrol campus wide and focus inside the buildings as part of an on going emphasis on community oriented policing.
- University Police Officers are available upon request to conduct security assessments of your work area or conduct safety and security programs for interested parties.
- University Police provide on-campus escort services for students, faculty and staff. Anyone who desires the service may request it by calling extension 2220.
- Outdoor lighting across campus is surveyed regularly to ensure adequate night lighting.
- Crime Alerts are issued to notify the campus community of crime trends and/or precautions.
- University Police monitor interior/exterior campus facilities through a video-surveillance system to enhance our security effort.
- Self-defense Awareness & Familiarization Exchange (S.A.F.E.), a course designed to provide participants with valuable information on how to become more aware of their surroundings and introduces pre-basic defensive familiarization options.
- Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.), a unique comprehensive approach to women’s safety, is a program available to the campus community. The primary focus is on the realistic development of self-defense options for women in situations of imminent or actual attack. For information on R.A.D. or S.A.F.E., call the University Police Department at 989-2220.
Building and Exterior Campus Security
During the academic periods most academic buildings remain unlocked until 11 p.m. Employees have been instructed to immediately report any suspicious situations and not to admit strangers and unauthorized persons into buildings and/or offices. Locked doors that are propped open create a dangerous situation for everyone – Don’t do it.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report lock deficiencies, other malfunctions and safety hazards to Facility Services at extension 2344 or University Police Department at extension 2220, as soon as possible.
Exterior campus facilities are routinely surveyed for adequate lighting levels. Trees and shrubs that critically impair lighting levels in walkways are appropriately pruned. These responsibilities are managed by Facility Services.
Alcohol and Drugs Policy
The use, possession, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on university property is prohibited. The university has taken a strong position against the illegal and unauthorized use of alcohol and drugs and has established programs to assist those who are having problems with these substances. Students may obtain assistance for drug and alcohol problems by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students. Employees may seek assistance through the University’s Employee Assistance Program. Brochures detailing the University Drug and Alcohol Policies can be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Students or Human Resources office. Purdue Executive Memorandum C-44 explains the Purdue University Alcohol and Drug Free Campus and Workplace Policy.
Firearms and Dangerous weapons
Possession, use or distribution of any explosives, guns, or other deadly or dangerous materials or weapons is prohibited on university property unless authorized by the University Police Department.
Office of the Dean of Students
A variety of services are available for students from the staff in the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling Center and the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity. Services include victim assistance, confidential counseling about personal concerns and information about University resources.
Matters related to student conduct are the responsibility of the Office of the Dean of Students. Established due process procedures are described in Purdue Calumet Student Handbook under the Student Bill of Rights.
In cases involving a student accused of violating regulation governing student conduct, a disciplinary action may be initiated. Such actions follow the established due process procedures as described in the Purdue Calumet Student Handbook under Student Bill of Rights.
When University disciplinary hearings are held concerning alleged sexual assault, the student and student’s accuser are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during the hearing and both student and student accuser shall be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
Sanctions the University may impose in cases involving sex offenses include reprimand and warning, disciplinary probation, restitution, participation in a specific program, provision of a specific service, suspension and expulsion.
Rape and Sexual Assault
The best defenses against rape and sexual assault are alertness and awareness. At all times, including dating situations, you should:
- Let a friend, relative or roommate know whom you will be with, where you will be, and when you expect to return. Leave your address and phone number.
- Do no let peer pressure influence the amount of alcohol you drink. A study at another Big Ten University showed that 80% of men and 70% of women involved in sexual assaults had been drinking.
- Trust you feelings and instincts. If you feel threatened, there’s probably a good reason. Get away fast!
- Report any assault or threat of assault to the University Police and Office of the Dean of Students immediately.
In selecting dating partners, beware of a person who:
- Ignores your wishes.
- Becomes angry or hostile when you say “NO”.
- Tries to make you feel guilty when you say “NO”.
- Ignores you personal boundaries.
- Is quick to show anger or aggression.
- Is excessively jealous or possessive.
- Doesn’t listen to what you say.
- Forces you to constantly ward off advances.
- Expresses hostile feelings about women in general.
Your first few dates with any person should be in public places. Always have an alternate way home.
Rape Victims
If you are the victim of a rape, get to a safe place as soon as you can. Then you should:
- Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe, douche, use the toilet or change clothing.
- Notify the police, even if you are unsure about filing charges.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. The police will assist you with this.
- Call a close friend, counselor, or other trusted person who can be with you during your interview with the police.
- Use the victims assistance services of Purdue Calumet and/or community agencies, including the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling Center, Tri-City Mental Health (24 hr. 398-7050), Crisis Center Inc. (24 hr. 938-0900).
Sex Offender Registry and Access to Related Material
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, section 1601 of Public Law 106-386, is a federal law that provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. The act is intended to extend the protection of the sex offender registries and Megan’s Law to college campuses. It also amends the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to require institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where to obtain law enforcement agency information provided by a state regarding registered sex offenders.
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry may be accessed online at www.in.gov/serv/cji_sor and www.indianasheriffs.org . Megan’s Law can be accessed online at www.klaakids.org . Federal Sex and Violent Offender Registry may be accessed online at www.nsopr.gov.
General Information
The Office of the Dean of Students and the University Police Department have a variety of publications addressing such issues as date rape, alcohol abuse, theft prevention, and other safety issues.
As required by federal law (Clery Act and the 1998 Amendments of the Act) and Purdue University Executive Memorandum No. C-49, effective January 31, 2000, the University prepares an Annual Security Report containing statistics and information relating to campus safety and security procedures and programs. The report is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/police. If you would like a paper copy of the report, you may call 219-989-2220.
