Safety at Hartnell

Safety at Hartnell

Hartnell Community College appears to take the safety of their staff and students very seriously. This is clear by the written policies and measures in effect. They are as required by the Cleary Act. This legislation was passed requiring colleges receiving federal money to publish policies and crime statistics after Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her dorm in 1986. The Act was passed in 1999 and amended in 2008 and provides guidelines for colleges to follow (“Complying With The Jeanne”). It is enforced by the Department of Education. The aim of this Act is to prevent victimization through crime awareness. While I am a distance learner that has not stepped foot on any of Hartnell’s campuses, it is a campus I would feel safe to enter due to measures and actions taken to deter criminal activity.

One of the most important safety measures is the employment of both foot and vehicle contracted security used to patrol the campus. These professionals enforce safety regulations, take crime reports, and contact law enforcement when necessary. Directed patrol methods are used in areas with high traffic. These safety officers will also provide escort service when requested. Access to buildings is limited in evenings and on weekends, which is a good preventive measure against crime. As a security officer at a gambling casino, I have a direct understanding of the value of patrol and believe many crimes are prevented by the knowledge that there is security watching the area.

With Hartnell being an eighty-five year old college, an important step was the passage of Measure H. This allowed for a new parking structure with proper lighting for the protection of faculty and students to be built. Proper lighting for the safety of students was integrated into the design. It also allowed for upgrades based on the ADA laws, which improves safety for those with disabilities along with accessibility.

Another important aspect to the overall safety of those on campus is the information on Hartnell’s website on crime prevention as well as published no tolerance policies. It is an important part of the Clery Act for individuals to be educated on topics like sexual assault, domestic violence, and similar topics. This will provide opportunities to prevent becoming a victim. Simple reminders like locking your vehicle, not leaving valuables within sight, walking in groups or with another student at night can help prevent a crime from ever taking place. Hartnell also has posted policies for such things as sexual assault, weapons, hate crimes, drugs and alcohol clearly defining expectations. They let all of those in attendance understand that appropriate actions will take place