Crime Prevention Information

The buildings and grounds of Seminole State College are maintained by the Facilities Department in the interest of students, faculty, staff and visitors. Access to administrative and academic facilities is generally limited to students, employees and visitors for the purpose of study, work, teaching and conducting College business. Occasionally, cultural and other events may be held in College facilities that are open to the public.

Seminole State Identification

Due to exigent or emergency circumstances, it may become necessary for Campus Safety and Security to request proper identification from an individual. These requests may be the result of a complaint from a member of the community, or the personal observation of suspicious activity by a security officer on patrol or conducting special security checks.

Requests for identification are not frequent but may be necessary to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. Remember to carry your Seminole State College identification card with you at all times and to cooperate if a security officer asks to see your identification. Requests for identification may occur more frequently during non-business hours and in secluded or isolated locations.

Reporting Intruders or Suspicious Activity

If you return to your office or classroom and find a stranger inside, it is advisable to simply say, “May I help you?” The stranger may offer a cover story, such as: looking for a friend, trying to find employment, etc. Regardless of the story provided, make a mental note of the individual's appearance, age, height, weight and clothing so you can notify the Safety and Security Department as soon as it is safe to do so. Remember: You should not confront suspicious persons or chase them if they flee. Doing so carries a high degree of risk and could result in injury to members of the College community. Typically, the individual will leave once they provide you with a cover story. You should then notify Safety and Security.

Safety Tips

Theft

Campuses and surrounding areas are frequent targets for thieves. Vigilance is your best defense.

Here are a few suggestions for protecting yourself and others from theft:

• Never leave your personal belongings unattended, regardless of how quickly you expect to return. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal your property. Do not give him/her an opportunity to commit a crime.
• Lock your doors when you leave your office or lab. Often, College property theft occurs when an area is left unlocked.
• Refrain from propping doors open. If a lock is broken, report it to Maintenance or Security.
• Engrave or mark all valuable personal property with your driver’s license number. This helps the police trace and recover stolen goods.
• Don’t carry large amounts of money with you.
• Never reveal your automatic teller machine (ATM) card or personal identification number (PIN) to anyone. Do not write your PIN on the back of your ATM card.
• Keep a list of your credit cards and their corresponding numbers in a safe place.
• Report thefts to the Campus Safety and Security Department immediately.

Auto Burglary and Theft

Central Florida has a fairly high auto theft rate. Cars are stolen for many reasons, including joyriding. Thieves may also strip a stolen vehicle for parts or use it to commit other crimes.

To reduce your chance of becoming an auto theft victim, take the following precautions:

• Lock all doors and windows. Use an alarm or wheel-locking device (e.g. "The Club").
• Remove visible valuables from your car. Do not hide them under the seat.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended while running.
• Be aware of people wandering through parking lots or looking into parked vehicles.
• Don't hide spare keys.
• Record the serial numbers of your belongings.
• Install an anti-theft device, such as a starter disabler, kill switch or fuel shut-off switch. These can make your vehicle undrivable in the event of an attempted theft.
• Do not leave important papers, such as bank or credit card statements, in your car.
• Photo copy your registration and insurance information and keep it in a safe place other than your vehicle.
• Report all thefts, attempted thefts and suspicious activity to Campus Safety and Security.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which someone obtains and uses another person's personal identification or data in a way that involves fraud or deception, typically for financial gain, and without that person's permission or consent. The personal data can be a Social Security number, bank account information, credit card number or other personal identifier.

Take the following measures to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft:

• Be wary of providing personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them. Limit the information printed on personal checks: Do not include your Social Security number, driver’s license number or telephone number.
• Check your financial information regularly and examine your records for unrecognized or unauthorized transactions. If you notice any suspicious transactions, contact your financial institution immediately.
• Periodically check your credit report with the three principal credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can access these companies, as well as the United States Federal Trade Commission, online.
• Maintain computer security by installing firewalls and spyware protection programs.
• Report any suspected identity theft or identity fraud to the police.

For additional information on identity theft, see Seminole State's Red Flag Identify Theft Prevention Program – Policy 1.260.