Right to Know Information: The Clery Act
This document is published in accordance with Section
201 P.L.101-542 as amended by P.O.102-26 the Crime Awareness and Campus
Security Act of 1990. These local responses are required by the Act.
All sections refer to Vol. 20 United States Code, 1092. District
policies in some instances have been paraphrased for brevity. Annual
crime statistics are prepared by the MiraCosta College Campus Police
Department and are reviewed by other campus personnel prior to
disclosure.
Campus Police
It is the policy of the MiraCosta College District Board of Trustees to protect all members of the college and the property of the district. Under the direction of the Vice President of Student Services, the college’s Campus Police Department ensures that reasonable protection is provided by using methods that fit within and contribute to the educational philosophy and processes of the institution. The MiraCosta Campus Police Department is a P.O.S.T.-certified department, and officers have peace officer authority pursuant to the California Penal Code section 830.32(a) and Education Code 72330. All sworn officers have completed Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) requirements and comply with government code section 1031 requirements. College police officers receive reports on violations occurring on campus and are responsible for investigating crime. Local law enforcement officials will be summoned when necessary. MiraCosta College has formal Memoranda of Understanding with local law enforcement agencies which detail specific crimes that the college police officers will handle. The college also employs students with training specific to general security, and they provide security patrols, and escorts to those requesting the service.
Crime Reporting Procedures
No community can be totally risk-free in today’s environment; however, students, staff, faculty, and visitors can work together to create an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning. An important part of this is reporting any crime that occurs on MiraCosta Community College District property. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to report crimes and other emergencies directly to Campus Police, but they may also report these incidents to designated campus officials (including but not limited to vice presidents, deans, directors, department heads, student advisors, and athletics coaches.) Crimes at the Oceanside Campus and the Community Learning Center may also be reported to City of Oceanside Police at (760) 435-4900 or the crimes at San Elijo to the Sheriff’s Department at (760) 753-1252. An individual who reports a crime may remain anonymous if he or she desires. Campus Police & Safety, Counseling Services, and Health Services will accept confidential and anonymous reports of crimes for inclusion in the annual statistical report and timely warning notifications.
Oceanside
Campus: (760) 795-6640
San Elijo Campus: (760) 634-7899
Community Learning Center: (760) 757-2121, ext. 8899
On-campus emergencies: ext. 6911
Call Boxes
At the Oceanside Campus, yellow emergency call boxes are located in parking lots 2B, 3A, 4C and 5A and within campus at buildings 3200, 3600, and 4800. At the San Elijo Campus, call boxes are located in the northwest parking lot 2 and within campus at the 300 and 500 buildings. Emergency phones connect directly to Campus Police. Call box hours of operation are 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Mon - Fri.; and 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat. Campus Police may also be reached by dialing 1-866-795-6640 from any pay phone on campus.
Timely Warning Policy
On occasion you will see timely warning notices describing dangerous incidents or recent crime trends that may threaten persons’ personal safety. In an effort to keep the college community aware of such incidents, it is our policy to disseminate these notices via campus email, posting notices at bulletin boards and other campus buildings, distributing hard copies to faculty secretaries, and posting the information on the Campus Police & Safety’s webpage. Once all pertinent information relative to the incident is obtained, notices will typically be posted within 48 hours.
Policy for Preparing the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The MiraCosta College Police and Safety Department prepares this report in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This report is available at any Campus Police and Safety office, Human Resources, Admissions and Records, and the Information and Learning Hub. It is also located on our website at www.miracosta.edu/police/clery.htm. This report is prepared in cooperation with health services, counseling services, student activities, and law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction in the areas surrounding our campus and non-campus locations.
Each year, all enrolled students are mailed a postcard notification containing a brief description of this report, the web site address to access this report online, and a statement detailing the locations where they may pick up a copy of this report. A similar notification is sent to faculty and staff via email.
Access to Campus Facilities
Most buildings at district locations are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Students and staff have been issued identification cards, which they may be asked to display if there is a question concerning their authorized access to a facility. Many campus buildings are protected by intrusion alarms and should be entered only during scheduled work hours. For their own protection, persons should not be on campus more than 30 minutes before or after the hours when college offices are scheduled to be open.
Keys are issued to individual staff members on a need-to-enter basis. Lost keys must be reported immediately to one’s supervisor and the Facilities Director. Keys should never be loaned to anyone.
Maintenance of District Property
The director of Facilities works closely with Campus Police to consider safety in the maintenance of district facilities. Lighting surveys are conducted bi-annually by a team of staff, students, and Campus Police personnel. Officers perform building, lighting, and parking lot safety inspections as necessary and report any problems to the facilities department for correction. Campus Police evaluates new buildings and parking lots for the necessity of adding emergency call boxes and adds call boxes as needed.
Crime Prevention
One of the essential ingredients of any successful crime prevention program is an informed public. It is the intent of MiraCosta Community College District to inform students and staff of criminal activity or security problems that may be a reasonable threat to their physical safety. Such information will normally be distributed to students through this brochure and through student publications, memos, staff newsletters or publications. All effective crime prevention programs include some measure of people watching out for one another; all staff and students are asked to be alert, security conscious and involved. Call college police whenever you see suspicious behavior. If you have additional questions regarding crime prevention, you may contact Campus Police officers at (760) 795-6640.
Crime Prevention Presentations
As part of the department’s community oriented policing philosophy, Campus Police offers crime prevention presentations each semester and presents to classrooms, campus clubs, and student groups as requested. Topics of these presentations include personal safety awareness, Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.), and property protection strategies. The department also hosts and annual safety fair and bi-annual child fingerprinting events. Anyone interested in having a campus police officer speak to his or her classroom or group should contact the main Campus Police office.
Off-Campus Crime
Local police departments furnish crime data to the college on any crimes committed on or near district property, including off campus facilities used by MiraCosta for educational purposes. This information is available at MiraCosta’s Police Department offices at the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses.
Substance Abuse
In accordance with Public Law 101-226 Drug-free Schools and Community Act Amendment of 1989, the Board of Trustees of the MiraCosta Community College District prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on district property or as part of any district-sanctioned activity. Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the college or termination from employment for violations of the standards of conduct. The authority to take disciplinary action in any instance rests with the Board of Trustees after consideration of the recommendation of the Superintendent/President of MiraCosta Community College District.
The possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages by anyone on district property is a violation of the California Business and Professions Code 25608 and a violation of the student standards of conduct and employment standards and policies. The use, sale or possession of any illegal drug is a violation of state law and any person found in violation may be subject to arrest by federal, state, local or campus law enforcement authorities. Criminal prosecution is separate from any administrative discipline that may be imposed by the MiraCosta Community College District (Health & Safety Code 11357, 11377).
Campus Police takes an active role in drug and alcohol use education. As a member of the North County Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Council, campus police officers participate in numerous D.U.I. checkpoints and safety fairs held throughout the County. The Health Services Department has an outreach program to educate students on substance abuse issues. Information on drug and alcohol abuse is available at both Health Services and Campus Police.
Sexual Assault Policy
If you become a victim of a sexual assault
- Get to a safe place
- Contact Campus Police or local police if off
campus
- Don't shower, douche, change or dispose of
clothing or any other items present after/during the assault
- Don't straighten up the area where the assault
occurred
- Seek medical attention
- Seek support from a local rape crisis center
How to report a rape or sexual assault on campus
Report the rape or sexual assault to college’s Police Department, ext. 6911; Health Services, ext. 6675; or to any office on campus. You may also call 911. Campus officials will assist you in contacting law enforcement or seeking medical treatment. You will be advised of counseling, mental health options that exist and of the willingness of campus officials to assist you. The Women’s Resource Center in Oceanside has a 24-hour rape/sexual assault crisis hot line. Telephone number: (760) 757-3500.
Campus disciplinary procedures
In addition to reporting suspected sex crimes to the local police, the district will investigate incidents for the purposes of instituting disciplinary proceedings through the college as appropriate. Campus sanctions following campus disciplinary procedures depend on the outcome and may range from suspension to expulsion. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during campus disciplinary proceedings and shall be informed of the outcome of the proceeding.
Rape/Sexual Assault Prevention
The Campus Police Department offers comprehensive self-defense training to women through the Rape Aggression Defense System. The training focuses on realistic self-defense tactics and techniques, risk awareness, avoidance, recognition and reduction, and teaches the basics of hands-on self-defense training. For more information contact Campus Police.
Campus Police has rape prevention brochures on hand and will distribute them free of charge to those who wish to have one. The brochures are also available at the Student Services Office, Student Activities offices, and Health Services Office.
How to reduce the risk of rape and sexual
assault on campus
- Avoid isolated or dark areas; use sidewalks.
- Be aware of your surroundings, know that rapes/sexual
assaults occur during the day as well as during evening hours.
- Walk with friends.
- Keep your car doors locked at all times.
- If you are being followed or you are not comfortable
with your safety, go to a populated area.
MiraCosta Community College District is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes safety and mutual respect of all members of the campus community. MiraCosta Community College District is further committed to doing everything in its power to prevent rapes or sexual assaults, to apprehend assailants, and to provide compassionate services to students or staff who are victims of rape or sexual assault.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
On Campus
- Campus Police: (760) 795-6640
- Student Health Services: (760) 795-6675
- Counseling: (760) 795-6670
Off Campus
- Center for Community Solutions: (858) 272-1767
- District Attorney's Office: (760) 806-4004
- Oceanside Police Department: (760) 435-4900
- San Diego Sheriff's Department: (858) 565-5200
- Victim/Witness Assistance: (760)
806-4079
- Women's Resource Center: (760) 757-3500
Safety Escort Service Information
Anyone may request an escort through MiraCosta's Police
Department. The service is provided during all regular Campus Police
hours at each campus. For more information, call (760) 795-6640.
Registed Sex Offender Information
Section 290.45(b) of the California Penal Code authorizes law enforcement agencies throughout the State to inform the public of a high risk sex offender’s presence when the release of such information is deemed necessary to ensure the public safety of the community. Information on San Diego County’s high risk sex offenders, including names, addresses, and photos, is available online at http://www.arjis.org/hrso/index.html
Information on registered sex offenders is available at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Vista Office at 325 South Melrose Drive in Vista. For more information on Megan’s Law and registered sex offenders, visit http://caag.state.ca.us/megan.
District Sites and Telephone Numbers |
