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Campus Security
REPORTING CRIME
Procedures for Reporting Crimes and Other Emergencies
All University community members and guests of the University are encouraged to report suspected criminal activity to the police as soon as possible. Fires, health emergencies, crimes and violations of University policies and procedures should be reported to the SMU Police Department either in person at 3128 Dyer Street, Room 200, Patterson Hall, or by telephone by dialing 911 on campus or at 214-768-3333. Conspicuously placed, lighted emergency (Blue Light) telephones with direct lines to the SMU Police Department are located throughout the campus to facilitate reporting.
The department also has a Silent Witness Program where community members can provide information regarding suspicious and criminal activity without providing their identity. Anonymous tips may be provided in two different and confidential formats. A person may call 214-SMU-2TIP (214-768-2847) to provide information anonymously via a voice-recorded phone line. Information may also be provided online at www.smu.edu/2tip. A person completes an online form, which is sent via untraceable e-mail, directly to the police department.
Community members are encouraged to report all crimes, to include off campus incidents. SMU Police Department will assist community members in reporting all off campus incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Local law enforcement agency phone numbers are listed in the Helpful Phone Numbers section.
Reporting Crimes to Other Campus Security Authorities
Who Are Campus Security Authorities?
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The Clery Act also mandates that institutions must disclose statistics both for crimes reported to local police agencies and crimes reported to campus security authorities. Campus security authorities include the following:
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A member of a campus police department or a campus security department of an institution.
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Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security, but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property).
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Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses.
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An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, the following areas:
§ Vice President for Student Affairs
§ Dean of Student Life
§ Director of Residence Life and Student Housing
§ All Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches for all areas in the Athletic Department.
§ All Associate Athletic Directors
§ Law School – Associate Dean for Student Affair.
§ Director of SMU-in-Legacy
§ Director of SMU-in-Taos
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An official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the institution.
The intent of including non-law enforcement personnel as campus security authorities is to acknowledge that many people, students in particular, are hesitant about reporting crimes to the police, but may be more inclined to report incidents to other campus-affiliated individuals.
Examples of individuals who DO NOT meet the criteria for being campus security authorities include a faculty member who does not have any responsibility for student and campus activity beyond the classroom, clerical staff, custodians and maintenance personnel and cafeteria staff. A pastoral or professional counselor on campus does not have significant responsibility for student and campus activity and are exempt from reporting crimes to the campus police. However, physicians and nurses of the Memorial Health Center who treat a victim of a violent crime that occurred on the campus or a facility, under the control of the university, must disclose the reported crime to the university police. They are not required to release the names of victims/patients.
All campus officials, counselors, faculty and staff are encouraged to report all crimes even if not required to do so. The Police Department understands the confidential nature of certain campus officials and will respect the confidentiality of all information obtained for statistical reporting purposes. Only general information, such as general location, type of crime and date of crime, are needed to report crime statistics. Complete reporting by all university members will assist in providing a secure campus environment.
Responsibilities of Campus Security Authorities
Because of the law’s complex reporting requirements, the most reasonable and effective way to manage the reporting is as follows: If Campus Security Authorities observe any crime listed below, or if any person reveals to a Campus Security Authority, in good faith, that he/she learned of or were the victim of, perpetrator of, or witness to any crime listed below, the Campus Security Authority must immediately notify the SMU Police Department.
Crimes that should be reported are:
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Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
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Negligent manslaughter
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Forcible sex offenses
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Non-forcible sex offenses
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Robbery
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Aggravated assault
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Burglary
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Motor vehicle theft
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Arson
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All hate crimes involving bodily injury
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All liquor, drug or weapons law violations resulting in an arrest
Definitions of these crimes may be found at http://www.smu.edu/srk/security/securitycrimedefs.asp
Clery Act crimes reported to local municipal police will be included as long as the municipal police agency notifies the SMU Police and the reported crime occurred in an area for which the institution is responsible.
Reporting Crimes Outside of the Patrol Jurisdiction of SMU PD
The SMU Police Department makes a good faith effort to stay informed of all criminal activity involving students at off-campus locations. Surrounding municipal agencies, state law enforcement agencies and federal agencies routinely inform campus police about incidents where their officers contact SMU students.
