Security Awareness and Crime Prevention

Crime prevention and awareness at UMHB require the involvement of all members of the University community. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Department of Public Safety strives to provide leadership and direction for this effort through programs ranging from crime prevention seminars to on-sight inspections. UMHB DPS officers participate in numerous crime prevention and awareness presentations each academic year.

The UMHB DPS crime prevention programs stress campus community awareness and interaction through the dissemination of materials and presentations geared toward familiarizing students, faculty, and staff members with their individual responsibility to help reduce criminal opportunity. In addition, crime prevention posters and handouts are utilized in an effort to make all members of the campus community aware of the potential for crime to occur. The Bells, the campus newspaper, is used as a means for presenting crime prevention and awareness information to the University community, including timely reports to members of the campus community regarding the occurrence of serious crimes on the campus (e.g., murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor-vehicle theft).

For the purpose of discouraging thefts on campus, the UMHB DPS sponsors Operation Identification. Through this program, bicycles and other items of personal property are engraved with the owner's personal identification number. The UMHB Department of Public Safety provides assistance with this program by encouraging students residing in campus housing to mark their valuable personal property.

Seminars on Campus Security Procedures and Crime Prevention

The University Police Department conducts a comprehensive crime prevention program tailored to the university, emphasizing personal awareness and personal responsibility for protecting property.

Crime prevention programs are conducted for the university community on personal safety, Operation Identification, DWI, drug dangers and sexual assault prevention. Our crime prevention officers also assist in orientation presentations throughout the summer for incoming students and their parents that describe the police department's services, the crime prevention program and crime statistics. For more information, call the Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit at 295-4587 or 295-5557.

During the month of June, several programs on campus safety are presented during orientation to incoming students and their parents. Beginning with the first week of school and continuing throughout the fall semester each year, UMHB DPS officers hold small group discussions and residence hall floor meetings with students. Current crime trends and safety issues are discussed at these meetings. Emphasis is placed on the fact that crime can occur anywhere and to anyone. The students are encouraged to use common sense security practices on and off campus.

Among the basic crime prevention techniques discussed in these seminars are:

• locking car doors
• avoiding jogging or walking alone
• being alert to what is going on around you
• avoiding alcohol consumption--especially when driving
• avoiding date rape

Operation Identification

We offer the use of engravers so students can engrave their driver's license numbers on personal possessions to help deter theft.

Electronic Alarm System

We utilize a comprehensive system of campus intrusion and fire alarms.

Emergency Telephones

We maintain emergency call boxes and emergency phones throughout campus that provide direct contact with the police officer on duty.  Use these phones to report any crimes, fires or medical emergencies, and to request emergency assistance.  Simply push the red button, and you'll be automatically connected with the police.

Maintaining Facilities & Surveys

Our Crime Prevention Unit conducts security surveys of buildings throughout the year and monitors the campus to ensure that shrubbery, trees and other vegetation are properly trimmed. The unit also conducts an annual lighting survey of the entire campus, checking the adequacy of lighting near residence halls, parking lots, garages, pedestrian walkways and building exteriors. Ongoing police patrols report any lighting deficiencies and inoperable lights.

UMHB Crime Statistics

Since 1999, the University Police Department has contributed to the U.S. Department of Justice's Uniform Crime Report, administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and has made crime statistics available to interested parties. Crimes reported in the FBI Uniform Crime Reports by the University Police Department for the last three calendar years are as follows:

Incident Classification

In 1998, the University Police Department identified a problem with the classification of incidents that resulted from data input problems. A comprehensive audit was conducted of all crimes and incidents reported to University Police since 1996, which identified minor variations in the total number of incidents from previous publications; these errors are corrected in the current report.

Interagency Cooperation

The UMHB Police Department cooperates with the Belton Police Department, the Bell County Sheriff's Office, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, other local police agencies and courts to monitor and record off-campus crime involving members of the university community.

Comparing Crime Data

The data presented reflect the raw numbers for a university of 2,500 students using the system of crime definitions required for the Uniform Crime Report. These definitions do not correspond to those established by state laws. In addition, state and local interpretations may vary in the categorization of some crimes. Thus, UMHB data should not be compared to data from other institutions without considering institutional demographics including such factors as the size of the student populations, the numbers of students living on the campuses and the size of the communities in which the institutions are located.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor provides the following information pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 [20 USC 1092(f)] and its implementing regulations [34 CFR 668.48]. This report is limited to the Belton campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, including University property reasonably contiguous to it and is distributed annually to all current students and employees, and, upon request, to any applicant for enrollment or employment. These statistics are for the specified crimes reported to the campus police or local police agencies for the years indicated. Please click on the following links to view this information.

Total Crime Statistics
Number of Arrests/Referrals for Selected Offenses
Criminal and Non-criminal Activity
Traffic Management

Campus Disciplinary Policies

In all cases of the violation of University rules, regulations, and policies or in violation of local, state, federal, or international laws that affect the University, the University reserves the right to proceed with its own disciplinary action independently of governmental charges or prosecution. The University has no obligation to await the outcome of governmental prosecution before taking its own disciplinary action. The procedures outlined in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's student handbook will be employed during all disciplinary proceedings.

Possible sanctions for violations of campus policies following an on-campus disciplinary procedure include:

• censure
• eviction
• reprimand
• suspension
• probation
• expulsion
• restitution

Sexual Assault Prevention Programs

UMHB provides educational programs and services to prevent sexual assault and/or assist victims of these crimes.

Educational Programs

During the academic year, the Police Department conducts educational programs to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses. The Crime Prevention Unit of the University Police Department provides a comprehensive personal safety programs about sexual assault, which addresses prevention, reporting, preservation of evidence, and special services to assist and protect the victim(s).

Reporting Procedures

A victim of sexual assault or other sex offense should immediately call 911. The police dispatcher will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and immediately dispatch an officer. The victim should retain all clothing, await the arrival of the police, and not disturb the crime scene. The officer will take the initial report, collect items of evidence and make arrangements for an advocate to accompany the victim to the hospital for medical examination and treatment. The advocate also provides support and assistance throughout the investigation. In addition, a victim may elect to use a pseudonym to prevent the victim's real name from appearing on police documents. Anonymity can be maintained throughout the investigative process. The victim may also request a change of academic and living assignments, if other classes and accommodations are reasonably available.

Counseling

UMHB's Counseling Center provides psychological counseling for victims of sexual assault and referral services for those who require longer treatment. For sexual assault cases that involve alcohol or other drug use, the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center staff provide counseling and referral services.

What You Should Do If...

You Are Assaulted or Robbed

If you are the victim of an assault or robbery, call the UMHB DPS (if you live on campus) or the Belton Police Department (if you live off campus). At a victim's request, the UMHB DPS will assist the victim in notifying the Belton Police Department of the assault or robbery. Try to remember as much about the person as you can. Important characteristics to remember are the person's sex; race; color, texture, and length of hair; body size; clothing; scars and other noticeable markings; accent, if any; mode of travel, type, color, and license number of vehicle. If possible, be able to describe the weapon used, if any; the color, type, and size of a weapon used in an assault or robbery are important pieces of information for police to know.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault, go to a safe place and call the UMHB DPS or the Belton Police Department by dialing 911. Call a support person. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID THE URGE TO BATHE OR SHOWER. AVOID CLEANING OR DESTROYING CLOTHES YOU WERE WEARING AT THE TIME OF THE ASSAULT. There is a 48-hour time frame in which forensic evidence can be gathered. IF YOU CHOOSE TO PROSECUTE, evidence taken at this time will be vital.

In all cases, victim's rights to make their own decisions are assured regarding reporting and referrals to campus and community support services. If requested, the university will make changes in academic and living situations reasonably available in assisting victims of sexual assault.

Resources:
UMHB Counseling Center (254) 295-4596
Crisis Center (254) 773-7765 or 1-800-373-2774

You Are Burglarized

If you believe you are the victim of a burglary, call the UMHB DPS (295-5555, if you live on campus) or the Belton Police Department (933-5840, if you live off campus) or dial 911. Do not touch anything in the suspected burglarized area and do not allow anyone to enter the area. After officers arrive, be available to list the items of property you believe are missing, if any, and the approximate value of each item.

If you believe someone may still be inside your residence, go to a safe place and call the UMHB DPS or the Belton Police Department by dialing 911. DO NOT GO INSIDE the residence if you believe the intruder may still be present.

Your Vehicle Is Stolen

If you believe your vehicle has been stolen, call the UMHB DPS (295-5555 if the vehicle was stolen from the campus) or the Belton Police Department (933-5840 if the vehicle was stolen from an area other than the campus). Be able to provide the police with the following information about your vehicle:

• Type of vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, or bike)
• Color
• Make (Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, etc.)
• Year model (1990, 1991, etc.)
• License plate number
• If a car, whether it is a 2-door, 4-door, convertible, etc.
• Your property that may be found in the vehicle
• Whether or not your keys were left in the vehicle
• Whether or not the doors were locked

You See a Suspicious Person

If you see a suspicious person, call the UMHB DPS (295-5555) or the Belton Police Department (933-5840, if you are off campus). Be able to describe the person by sex; race; color, length, and texture of hair; body size and shape; clothing; scars and other noticeable markings; mode of travel; type of travel and, if by vehicle, the type, color, and license number, if any. Do not approach the person.

Safety Tips

Students and employees can do much to protect themselves from crime. Many crimes occur only because there was an opportunity for them to happen. For example, most crimes of burglary and theft are random, not calculated. They occur because a residence hall door or room door or window was left unsecured or because car doors were unlocked. On a friendly campus like UMHB's it is easy to think nothing will happen. Crime can happen anywhere. Always follow these safety tips:

• Keep emergency numbers near or on the phone.  Report suspicious activity, thefts, and other criminal activity immediately.
• At night, walk in well-lighted areas.  Walk and jog in pairs or groups, particularly at night or in lonely places.  Do not ignore intuition; if you suspect you are being followed, change directions or head for a campus building, store, or group of people.
• If a driver stops you to ask for directions, do not get too close to the vehicle and risk being pulled inside.
• Placing a single key between your forefinger and middle finger when walking to or from your car provides you with a very discreet but effective weapon that you can use to defend yourself if you are assaulted.
• Lessen the chance for date rape to occur--know your date!  If a sexual assault occurs, scream loudly and kick or hit the assailant in the groin area.
• Avoid car theft by--
• NEVER leaving the keys in the ignition of an unattended vehicle
• locking all doors and rolling up all windows when the vehicle is unattended
• never parking the vehicle in remote or poorly lighted areas at night
• In residence halls--
• NEVER prop open or in any manner alter a door so that it will not close properly
• immediately report to your dorm director any maintenance deficiencies that may compromise building security
• do not admit unauthorized or uninvited persons into a residence hall or apartment
• do not hesitate to ask strangers or repair persons in your residence hall for proper identification
• keep your valuables locked in a box, chest, or suitcase and out of sight
• keep your doors locked at all times when you are in the room and when you leave
• engrave your driver's license number on all of your valuables
• Never give out information about yourself to strangers on the phone or over the internet.
• Do not carry or flash large sums of cash.
• Be aware of how you carry your purse or book bag, and do not leave it unattended.
• When at campus cafeteria, do not leave backpacks or books unattended.  Print your name inside every textbook you own..
• Become familiar with the emergency call boxes on campus and their locations.
• Make use of UMHB DPS escort services on campus.
• Ask UMHB DPS officers how to protect your property better from theft and your residence from burglary.  UMHB DPS officers are happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about safety in the residence halls and academic and administrative buildings and on the campus.  Officers may be contacted at 295-5555.

Sex Offender Registration

In compliance with the "Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act" (section 1601 of Public Law 106-386) and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, all persons required to register as part of the State of Texas's Sex Offender Registration Program are required to provide notice of there presence on campus to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Department of Public Safety. Notice should be forwarded by the registering jurisdiction.

The University reserves the right to publish the names of all registered sex offenders on campus.

Information on registered sex offenders may be obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety at . For more information please contact the University of Mary Hardin Baylor Department of Public Safety.

Campus Safety
Reporting Criminal Activities & Emergencies
Campus Police Authority
Drug & Alcohol Policies
Motorist Assistance