CAMPUS SAFETY

We, the members of the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Police Department, welcome you to the San Jose City College and the Evergreen Valley College Campuses.  

The San Jose/Evergreen College District strives to maintain an exceptionally safe environment for our students and staff.  The District provides a full service Police department on both campuses.  However, a truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of all students, faculty, and staff.  This website is a part of our effort to ensure that this collaborative endeavor is effective.  In this website you will find details of the services that you may call on and count on, and the information you need to do your part.

This publication was prepared for you out of concern for your personal safety while you are on campus.  However, you are always welcome to contact the District Police Department regarding your on-campus safety and security concerns.  Our telephone numbers, locations and office hours are inside this website.

The District Police Department provides police patrols and services whenever classes are in session as well as holidays and weekends.  The San Jose/Evergreen District Police Officers are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities, identical to the local police or sheriff in your home community.  The officers are trained at the local police academy and receive additional training in first aid, firearms, defensive tactics, legal updates, evidence gathering, traffic investigations, etc.

All District Police Officers have full law enforcement authority throughout California and the District maintains a mutual aid policy with the San Jose Police Department.

Officers are responsible for a full range of public safety services, including all crime reports, investigations, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, traffic accidents, enforcement of laws regulating under age drinking, possession of alcohol on campus, and the use of controlled substances, weapons, gambling and all other incidents requiring police assistance.

The District Police have access to all criminal justice automated information systems and routinely share information on criminal investigations with the San Jose Police Department, the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office, and other relevant law enforcement agencies.  The serial numbers of property that has been stolen from the campuses is reported through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).  Statistical information regarding crimes on the campuses is reported to the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES

• Walk in pairs or groups; avoid isolation.
• Be alert; project confidence; look people in the eye.
• Stay in well-lit areas away from potential hiding places.
• Know where you are and where places of refuge are.
• If followed, go toward well-lit areas where there are people.
• Walk on the left, facing traffic, so vehicles can’t easily approach you from behind.
• Wear clothing and shoes that enable you to move fast!
• Carry only lightweight objects.
• Wear or carry items like jewelry and cash that are minimal in value and don’t attract attention.
• Avoid approaching strangers in vehicles for any reason.
• Carry a whistle or other noisemaker.
• If you think you are in trouble, do anything to attract attention – Scream! Break glass! Sound a horn!
• Consider carrying pepper spray or other lawful self-defense equipment.
• Carry a cell phone
• Develop and maintain excellent physical condition within individual age and health limitations.  Well-maintained aerobic condition can serve you well if you are forced to run or fight for your safety.
• Learn self-defense/martial arts if so inclined.

REPORTING PROCEDURES
POLICE AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES

The San Jose/Evergreen Community College District maintains a police department with police officers available seven days a week during class hours.  Offenses, accidents or any emergencies that occur on campus should be reported immediately to the District Police at one of the offices below:

Evergreen Valley College Police Office: 408 270-6468
San Jose City College Police Office: 408 288-3735

There are also fourteen RED EMERGENCY call boxes, at various locations at each college, which are provided for anyone on campus who needs to call the District Police.

Police office hours are as follows:

Evergreen Valley College:
(Central Utilities Building)

Monday through Saturday:	7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sundays:	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Holidays:	8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Jose City College:
(Student Center SC 108)

Monday through Friday:	7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays)

During hours other than the above, all campus emergencies should be reported by dialing 9-1-1 on a pay phone. NO MONEY is required for 9-1-1 calls.  Telephones on office FAX lines may be used for 9-1-1 emergency calls.  Other telephones in District and College offices and facilities require that 9-9-1-1 be dialed for emergency service. 

If 9-1-1 should fail to work for any reason, the seven-digit emergency number for all City of San Jose emergency services is 277-5454.

FACILITY SECURITY

There are no residential facilities on the campuses of San Jose City College or Evergreen College.

Most campus facilities are unlocked from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays when classes are in session.  They are locked and serviced by custodial staff between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.  Facilities are locked from 10:30 p.m. Friday to 6:30 a.m. Monday unless special arrangements are made for weekend use and communicated to the District Police.  Staff members who need t enter facilities during non-business hours and who have not made prior arrangements are required to notify the District Police of their presence.  This procedure is intended to maximize the security of individuals and facilities and to avoid false alarm calls to the police.  Custodial and Police staff check campus facilities during non-business hours but it is the responsibility of those who use offices and rooms to lock access doors, turn off lights and close/lock windows upon their departure.

Keys to facilities are provided to staff members upon written request and approval of appropriate administrators.  Lost keys are to be reported to the authorizing administrator and to the District Police Department.  Facility keys are not to be loaned or duplicated.  Key duplication is a misdemeanor.

No District equipment or property may be removed form a campus without written permission from an appropriate administrator.  Unauthorized removal of District property from a campus is a violation of law that results in prosecution.

ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY ESCORTS

The District Police will provide you with assistance in unlocking your vehicle, providing vehicle jump starts, or summoning a tow truck or locksmith to assist you.  We cannot attempt to open vehicles that have electric locks.  We will also assist family members in contacting students who are in class if there is a serious family emergency.

There is an escort service available.  Escorts can be reached by calling the District Police office.  Times can be arranged in advance so that the escorts can meet students at their class. 

CRIME PREVENTION

The District Police Department provides a number of services to help educate the campus community in how to avoid being a victim of a crime.  Printed information is available at the District Police Department offices on both campuses on various topics free of charge. An attempt is made to stock the most current publications. However, if a campus user has knowledge of a particular publication not in stock that could benefit a substantial campus audience, an attempt will be made to obtain the item upon request.  The police personnel are always available to answer questions and make suggestions regarding campus security issues. 

Each person must take steps to avoid being a victim.  Remember to keep your car locked and to put valuables in the trunk or take them with you, do not leave valuables in lockers, and always walk in a group or with an escort at night. If you are the victim of a crime, do not tamper with the crime scene and do not delay in calling the police.  The sooner the police are called the better our chance of solving the crime.  If you happen to see something suspicious, do not hesitate to call the police with a description of the persons, their vehicle and what they are doing.  This may save a fellow student or staff member from suffering the frustration associated with being a victim.  Remember it is a team effort.  The police are here to serve and assist you, and we need your help to maintain a safe campus that is conducive to learning.

PERSONAL SAFETY

The San Jose/Evergreen Community College District strives to maintain a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors to pursue educational objectives. However, a truly safe and secure campus can only be achieved with thorough cooperation of all members of our college community.

The College District is strongly committed to educational environment free of sexual assault.  The College District will vigorously prosecute and discipline person identified as responsible for sexual assaults.  In addition to criminal prosecution, the College may impose discipline against students, student organizations, or College faculty or staff identified as committing or participating in sexual assaults. College discipline includes: expulsion from College; suspension for a specific time period; or probation for a specific time period.

Discipline proceedings involving students will be processed through the office of Dean of Students.  Discipline proceedings involving faculty or staff members will be processed through the District Human Resources office.  Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have other present during a campus disciplinary proceeding.  Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus proceeding alleging a sexual assault.

MEGAN’S LAW

Public information regarding sex offenders in California may be obtained by viewing the Megan’s Law CDROM at the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department and/or the San Jose Police Department.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

Health services are available to students at each college during the below hours.

REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT

As soon as possible, the victim should report incidents of sexual assault, including date or acquaintance rape to the District Police Department, the local police (if the victim is unable to make contact with the District Police), or a College faculty or staff member who can aid in contacting the proper authorities. The Counseling Department and Health Services can also help in contacting the proper authorities.  The victim should make every attempt to preserve any physical evidence of the assault. This may include not showering or bathing, not cleaning the scene of the incident, and not disposing of any damaged clothing, or other items. The District Police will immediately initiate a criminal investigation into on-campus sexual assaults.  The District Police will contact the San Jose Police Department if highly specialized resources are needed to complete a criminal investigation.

The victim will be given information on counseling and support groups.  If the victim wishes to change an academic schedule, the appropriate steps will be taken to accommodate the victim to the full extent possible.  The Colleges also encourage persons reporting to seek the support and assistance of friends or family when needed, in presenting their concerns.  Santa Clara County offers 24 hour counseling for victims of crimes.  The Santa Clara County Valley Rape Crisis Center may be reached at (408) 287-3000.  The Victim/Witness Assistance Center in San Jose also provides off-campus services.

A DRUG FREE CAMPUS

Both the abuse and moderate use of alcohol and illegal drugs can result in injury and death.  While chronic problems are associated with long-term abuse, damage can occur from moderate or even a single experimental use of a substance. Alcohol and drug use seriously impair learning and motivation; disrupts the classroom; jeopardizes our physical and mental health; subjects us to criminal penalties; injures our families; erodes our relationships; and inhibits our ability to benefit from an education.  San Jose/Evergreen College District therefore asks you to support, maintain, and actively promote a drug-free learning environment by being aware and informing others of college policies, referral sources for help, and the substantial legal, personal, and health consequences associated with use.  If you or someone you know is having problems with alcohol or drugs, seek out confidential assistance on-campus, or from one of the community agencies. Consultation, information and referral services regarding drug and alcohol abuse are available at Health Services and Counseling offices at each college. Employees Assistance Programs (EAP) provides substance abuse programs to regular staff members of the District.

Health Consequences

• Even experimental use of a substance may result in:

Impaired learning due to poor concentration, fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, altered perception, confusion, indifference, depersonalization, memory loss, panic attacks, and drug-induced psychiatric problems.

Impaired judgment leading to driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, accident, violent and abusive behavior, criminal acts, financial troubles, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, acquaintance rape, attempted or accomplished suicide, permanent injury, or death as a result of substance overdoes.

• The intravenous use of drugs can result in hepatitis, tetanus, abscesses, and AIDS.
• The use of stimulants can lead to cardiac fibrillation, heart attack, seizures, respiratory arrest and death.
• The most common negative health consequences from occasional drinking are trauma-related (i.e., auto accidents, violent and abusive acts) and involve both the drinker and non-drinking victims.
• Long-term alcohol abuse can cause brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, permanent in-coordination, ulcer disease, gastritis, pancreatitis, heart disease, stroke, anemia, sexual dysfunction, cancers, and may other health problems.

Legal Sanctions

As a College student or employee you are subject to both college rules and regulations and the laws and penalties of the State of California for alcohol/drug offenses.

As a student, if you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or if you are discovered selling, or dispensing drugs on campus or at any college function, you can be suspended, expelled and criminally prosecuted.

If you are an employee you may be placed on probation, terminated, and criminally prosecuted for the used, sale or possession of illegal drugs and/or alcohol on campus, or at college-sponsored events.

For a first offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, you may serve 96 hours to six months in jail and pay a fine.  It is unlawful for anyone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 percent or above to drive a motor vehicle or ride a bicycle.

• For possession of marijuana (one oz. or less), you can be fined up to $100 and receive a criminal citation.
• For possession of marijuana (more than one oz.) you may receive up to six months in county jail, up to a $500 fine, or both.
• For possession of cocaine you can be imprisoned in a state prison.
• For sale of any illegal drug you can be imprisoned in a state prison.
• Any person under the age of 21 years who has any alcoholic beverage in his or her possession on any street or highway or in any public place can be convicted of a misdemeanor.
• It is a misdemeanor crime to sell, give, or furnish alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.
• Carriers of motor vehicle insurance can increase premiums, cancel or deny renewal as a result of driving-under-the-influence convictions.

Contact Information

Telephone

(408) 270-6468

FAX

(408) 239-0417

Postal address

3095 Yerba Buena Drive
San Jose, CA 95135

Electronic mail

General Information: District.Police@sjeccd.org
Webmaster: SJCCWeb@sjeccd.org