Campus Safety and Security

Polk State College (PSC) continually strives to provide the students, faculty, staff, and visitors a safe and secure environment. At PSC we must take all precautions that will serve to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of criminal acts and unsafe conditions. The information provided here is to inform, advise, and alert campus occupants about PSC policies and procedures in crime awareness and reporting.

We are dedicated to making certain that crime occurs as infrequently as possible. The best way to do this is through education. Our goal is to educate everyone about how to prevent crimeand to be safe.

Security Office Hours and Location

Security Officers are on duty 24 hours‐a‐day. Security Offices are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Security Office for the Winter Haven campus is located in the Multi Service Building, WMS‐134 and for the Lakeland Campus is located in the Lakeland Maintenance Building, LMB‐102. A Security Officer can be reached by calling ext. 5059 from any campus phone, or 297‐1059 from an off campus phone. Security can also be reached by using PSC Emergency Phones which are at various locations on both campuses.

Security Officers

PSC’s Security Officers perform primarily information and advisory duties, rather than regulatory duties. While PSC Security Officers cannot make arrests, they work closely with local law enforcement agencies. The primary protective method used at PSC is restricting campus access to only those authorized students, faculty, staff, and guests. Both the Security Officers and Facilities Department Staff coordinate the inspection and maintenance of locks, doors lights and alarms.

Safety Precautions

All members of our campus community must remain vigilant and take some simple precautions:

• When leaving your vehicle, park in a well‐lighted area, make sure your vehicle lights are off, keys are in your hand and all doors are locked.
• Do not leave valuables in parked vehicles.
• When approaching a parked vehicle, check the surrounding area for strangers.
• Make arrangements with the Security Office for escorts if needed.
• Report any suspicious incidents or individuals to the Security Office.
• Report all campus crimes you see.
• Never leave personal property unattended on campus.

Crime Prevention

PSC’s Security Office attempts to keep the college community informed on safety and crime prevention. This is accomplished through various campus publications and the college wide computer network (PSC Bulletin Boards‐ News/Community and e‐mail) to inform the college community in a timely manner of recent crimes and threats or danger.

Crime Reporting

The Security Office submits an annual report of crimes to the United States Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education. PSC submits this information to be in compliance with Section 485 (a) and (t) of the Higher Education Act. Data for the annual Campus Crime and Security Survey is available at: http://ope.ed.gov/security.

Sexual Predator or Offender Notice

Federal and State law requires a person designated as a “sexual predator or offender” to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE is then required to provide notification to the local law enforcement agency of where the registrant resides. If the registrant is enrolled, employed or carrying on a vocation at an institution of higher learning, FDLE must also provide the local law enforcement agency with that information. Information concerning sexual predators or offenders attending PSC may be obtained through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, calling the FDLE hotline (1‐888‐FL‐PREDATOR (357‐ 7332), or by visiting the FDLE website at: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us .

Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs

Alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs of any kind are not permitted to be possessed or consumed on campus. (DBOT 2.25)

The possession, storage, or use of firearms or other dangerous weapons, of any kind, is not permitted on campus. It is a felony violation of Florida State Statutes to bring a firearm into a college campus, except by sworn law enforcement officers (FS. 810.095).

Victims of Sexual Assault

• Try to stay calm and stay alert.
• If you are on campus, call 911 then ext. 5059 or 297‐1059 for PSC Security.
• If you are off campus, call 911.
• Stay on the phone with the dispatcher and give needed information.
• Do not change clothes.
• Do not clean your body or your clothes.
• Do not disturb or alter the crime scene.

PSC has a formal Discipline and Due Process Policy, which is coordinated through the Dean of Student Services. This policy is available in the Student Handbook and DBOT Rule 4.01.

Emergency Phones

Telephones are available in classrooms, public pay phone booths, elevators, and on Blue Light Emergency Phones located throughout our campuses.

Assistance to Victims

The following numbers can be called for assistance:

PSC Help Center Winter Haven…………………….. 292‐3759

PSC Help Center Lakeland…………………………….. 669‐2309

Dean of Student Services Winter Haven………. 292‐3756

Dean of Student Services Lakeland………………. 669‐2813

Safety/Security Loss Prevention Manager……. 297‐1086

Security Office………………………………………………. 297‐1059

Rape Crisis Center………………………………………… 519‐3744

TRI‐County Addiction Rehabilitation Services.. 299‐5286

Winter Haven Police Dept…………………………….. 291‐5858

Polk County Sheriff’s Office………………………….. 533‐0344

Lakeland Police Dept…………………………………….. 834‐6900

Lake Wales Police Dept…………………………………. 678‐4223

DART (Domestic Abuse Response)………………… 298‐7518

Dept. of Children & Families………………………… 534‐7100

Abuse Registry…………………………………………….. 800‐962‐2873

Please contact the Dean of Student Services on the Winter Haven or Lakeland Campus if you have any questions about the information provided here.