News & Information
Campus Safety Message
12-02-2010
Campus Safety
President's Message Dec. 3, 2010
Campus Safety Message from Vice President Lori Varlotta and University Chief of Police Dan Davis
The safety of people on the Sacramento State campus is our primary concern, and we are taking a number of actions to address the recent reports of sexual assaults.
Although police protocols and privacy concerns prevent us from providing many details of the six reported cases, we can share that there is no evidence to indicate that any of the incidents are related. The incidents include three reports of inappropriate touching through the clothes, one reported kidnapping and sexual assault, and two reported rapes (one stranger, one acquaintance).
University Police are taking each case seriously and are investigating or have investigated each report fully. Once we were notified of each incident, we responded immediately with police investigations, alert bulletins posted online and on buildings, and counseling services for victims.
For situations that warrant an alert bulletin, we have also established a police email account to notify students, faculty and staff of sexual assaults on campus. The email alerts will be in addition to the information we provide on the University Police website and the bulletins that are posted in locations across campus.
Other actions we have taken include:
- Increased staffing for night patrols.
- Increased night escorts for students, faculty and staff.
- Increased use of electric carts for patrols and escorts.
- Added truck patrol with flashing lights.
- Established police email account to notify campus of sexual assaults when appropriate.
- Facilities personnel have been vigilant about repairing and replacing exterior lights.
- Information sessions with various campus groups.
- Safety information posted on University websites and campus digital signs.
Other University security measures include:
- 153 blue-lighted emergency phones on campus.
- Hornet Night Shuttle runs Monday to Thursday from dusk until 11 p.m. Shuttle dispatchers can be reached at 916-278-7260.
- Night escort services available from sundown to sunup.
- Implementing plan to enhance security with cameras, audio warning devices and emergency telephones in public areas.
- Implementing plan to add lighting to strategic areas.
We want to re-emphasize that University Police are willing to provide escort services to those who request it. If you would like an officer to meet you after your evening class concludes and walk you to a car parked on campus, you may arrange for this service by calling the main police number (916) 278-6851.
Additional safety tips include:
- Program the University Police number into your cell phone: (916) 278-6851.
- Walk in groups or pairs when you are out at night.
- Consider carrying a flashlight, whistle, or a cellular telephone when you go out.
- Pepper spray is permitted on campus in containers less than 2.5 ounces.
- Learn the location of the nearest emergency “blue” phones on your walking routes through the campus.
- Report any occurrence of inappropriate behavior, suspicious activity, or criminal acts to the University Police immediately. Delays in reporting only slow the investigation and lessen the chance of an arrest. Report such activity to University Police at (916) 278-6851.
- Always be aware of your surroundings, and always know where you are. Watch for suspicious people or vehicles, and go to a place of safety if approached by a suspicious person or vehicle.
- If you are on campus regularly at night, use the police escort service or vary the path you take.
- Use the panic button to activate your car alarm if you feel threatened near your vehicle.
- Never be afraid to make noise if you are attacked; yell, scream, and try to attract attention. The last thing an attacker wants is to have someone notice the attack.
If you have additional concerns, please feel free to call the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 278-6060 or University Police at 278-6851.
Sincerely,
Lori E. Varlotta
Vice President for Student Affairs
Dan Davis
Chief of Police
Important Safety Links:
Sacramento State Public Safety
University Police
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/index.html
Hornet Night Shuttle
http://www.csus.edu/aba/utaps/Hornet-Night-Shuttle.html
Violent and Sexual Assault Victim Assistance
http://www.csus.edu/hlth/violence.html
Sacramento State's Sexual Misconduct Policy
http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/UMS16525.htm
Related Links to Public Safety Alert Bulletins
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Alert-Bulletins.html
Sept. 13 Alert Bulletin
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1008.pdf
Sept. 24 Alert Bulletin updated regarding Sept 13 incident
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1009.pdf
Nov. 8 Alert Bulletin regarding Nov. 08 incident
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1010.pdf
Nov. 16 Alert Bulletin regarding Nov. 15 incident
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1011.pdf
Nov. 18 Alert Bulletin regarding Nov. 18 incident
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1012.pdf
Nov. 24 Alert Bulletin regarding Nov. 22 incident
http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1013.pdf
Public Safety Fact Sheet - Dec. 2, 2010
|
Alert Bulletin Number |
Incident Type |
Date Occurred |
Date Reported |
Date Alert Bulletin Posted |
Forensic Sketch |
Counseling Offered |
Additional Information |
|
10-08 |
Sexual Battery |
Sept 13 3:45 p.m. |
Sept. 13 4:45 p.m. |
Sept. 13 5:30 p.m. |
Yes |
Yes |
A female student reported she was assaulted while studying on a bench near Capistrano Hall the afternoon of Sept. 13. She told police a man sat down next to her and "very briefly groped her" through her clothes while hugging her. http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1008.pdf |
|
N/A |
Rape |
Oct.18 |
Oct. 18 |
No. Suspect Arrested. |
Yes |
A female student said she was raped by an acquaintance at the American River Courtyard residence hall Oct. 18. Police arrested an 18-year-old student in the case; however, the District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute. No Bulletin Alert because suspect was arrested
|
|
|
10-09 |
Kidnapping Sexual Assault |
Oct. 21 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 22 2:30 p.m. |
Oct. 22 7:45 p.m. *Updated* Oct. 24 |
Yes |
Yes |
A female student reported she was kidnapped by three men in a van and sexually assaulted in the Sacramento State Residence Hall parking lot about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21. http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1009.pdf |
|
10-10 |
Sexual Battery |
Nov. 08 11:50 a.m. |
Nov. 08 12:05 p.m. |
Nov. 08 1:45 p.m. |
No. Victim could provide only a basic description |
Yes |
A female student said she was groped by a passing man as she was walking near the library about noon Nov. 8. http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1010.pdf |
|
10-11 |
Sexual Assault |
Nov. 15 7:00 p.m. |
Nov. 15 8:30 p.m. |
Nov.16 3:00 p.m. |
No. Victim could not provide a description |
Yes |
A woman reported to police that she was walking to her car in Parking Structure I when a man grabbed her from behind and assaulted her. http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1011.pdf |
|
10-13 |
Sexual Battery |
Nov. 15 8:30 p.m. |
Nov. 22 5:45 p.m. |
Nov. 24 9:00 |
Yes. |
Yes |
A woman was walking to her vehicle in Parking Structure I when a man approached her, touched her chest through her clothing and fled when she pepper-sprayed his face, Christian said. http://www.csus.edu/aba/police/Documents/alert/alert_1013.pdf |