Diligence keys campus safety
William Kennedy
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: News
The campus police station's lobby is empty of students during a recent afternoon. No phones are ringing. No one is waiting to file a report. A sign, which welcomes students and staff seeking an officer, points to a buzzer.
College of Marin is virtually crime free, according to campus Chief of Police Charles Lacy. However, obtaining and maintaining peace, even around a police station, takes plenty of work.
"We work very closely with our outside law enforcement," said Lacy. The sheriff's department even leases a space with COM's campus police.
Students should still remain aware of their surroundings and avoid becoming complacent, even if the crime rate is much lower here than in other areas; the possibility always exists according to Lacy.
"My formula is quite simple. There are two things that make a crime: Opportunity and desire. I can't control desire but I can make an effect on opportunity," said Lacy.
Having previously worked in high-crime areas, Lacy really knows what he is talking about. He offers a few precautions to help students eliminate any opportunities while on campus.
- Always be alert and cognizant of your surroundings, especially at night.
- Walk with someone or a group at night.
- Be responsible for your personal safety.
- Read crime postings around campus.
- Add the campus police number to your cell phone (415) 485-9696.
- I.C.E. your cell phone (In Case of Emergency).
- Sign up for emergency mobile alerting system. Text MCCD to 253788 (AlertU) and reply Y or visit http://www.alertu.org/mccd online.
Off campus, Lacy said, it is a good idea to have a family and personal disaster plan that dictates a plan of action for home evacuation, fire, earthquakes and where to meet in case of disaster according.
Go to
http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/police/disasterprep.htm to download both staff and student safety procedures.
College of Marin is virtually crime free, according to campus Chief of Police Charles Lacy. However, obtaining and maintaining peace, even around a police station, takes plenty of work.
"We work very closely with our outside law enforcement," said Lacy. The sheriff's department even leases a space with COM's campus police.
Students should still remain aware of their surroundings and avoid becoming complacent, even if the crime rate is much lower here than in other areas; the possibility always exists according to Lacy.
"My formula is quite simple. There are two things that make a crime: Opportunity and desire. I can't control desire but I can make an effect on opportunity," said Lacy.
Having previously worked in high-crime areas, Lacy really knows what he is talking about. He offers a few precautions to help students eliminate any opportunities while on campus.
- Always be alert and cognizant of your surroundings, especially at night.
- Walk with someone or a group at night.
- Be responsible for your personal safety.
- Read crime postings around campus.
- Add the campus police number to your cell phone (415) 485-9696.
- I.C.E. your cell phone (In Case of Emergency).
- Sign up for emergency mobile alerting system. Text MCCD to 253788 (AlertU) and reply Y or visit http://www.alertu.org/mccd online.
Off campus, Lacy said, it is a good idea to have a family and personal disaster plan that dictates a plan of action for home evacuation, fire, earthquakes and where to meet in case of disaster according.
Go to
http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/police/disasterprep.htm to download both staff and student safety procedures.
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