| Policy Title | Safety Advisory |
|---|---|
| Responsible Office | Office of the Vice President for Operations |
| Policy Type | Security and Safety |
| Policy Number | 810 |
| Last Revision Date | 5/14/2024 |
Policy Statement
The Clery Act is a consumer protection law designed to keep campus community members, parents/ guardians, and prospective community members informed on safety and security policies and procedures and crime statistic disclosure. Most importantly, the Clery Act is designed to ensure the health and safety of our community remains at the forefront of our minds. The requirements to meet the Department of Education’s expectations of compliance are complex and require significant coordination among campus officials and local law enforcement agencies. One of the four primary compliance categories relates to campus safety and security policy statement disclosures (Crime Advisories).
Purpose
The purpose of the Binghamton University Safety Advisory Policy is to provide vital information regarding crimes and imminent threats occurring within the campus community, to empower members to protect themselves, contribute to the prevention of similar crimes, and assist in the apprehension of those who have committed the crime. The policy outlines two types of Safety Advisories: Timely Warnings and Local Crime Alerts.
A Safety Advisory, whether a Timely Warning or a Local Crime Alert, is distinct from what the Clery Act defines as an "Emergency Notification." Typically, an Emergency Notification fulfills the requirement for a Safety Advisory. However, the university administration may issue a Safety Advisory alongside an Emergency Notification, providing more detailed information to the community.
Policy
1. Timely Warnings:
In the event of a reported crime within Binghamton University's Clery reportable geography,
the incident will undergo a review for the issuance of a Timely Warning. If, upon
review, it is determined that the incident involves both a Clery Act reportable crime
and poses a serious or continuing threat to the campus community, a campus-wide Timely
Warning will be issued. The decision to issue a Timely Warning will be made through
collaboration with the University's chief of police and/or their designee, in consultation
with appropriate senior administration. The assessment of what qualifies as a serious
or continuing threat will be conducted on a case-by-case basis, considering multiple
factors. These factors include but are not limited to evaluating whether students
and employees are at risk of becoming victims of a similar crime, determining if the
suspect has been identified or apprehended, and discerning whether the incident appears
to be an isolated occurrence targeted at one specific individual, or part of a pattern
of reported crimes.
If all conditions for a Timely Warning are met, the advisory will be sent to all current
students, faculty, and staff members via the campus email system. The Timely Warning
will also be posted and archived on the University Police website under the "Safety
Advisories" tab.
The crimes listed below are typically given the highest consideration for a Timely Warning. Their definitions can be found in "Department of Education 34 CFR Part 668 Sub D:" It is important to highlight that the Department of Education adheres to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) and not the New York state Penal Law.
- Murder / Non-negligent manslaughter
- Aggravated assault
- Rape
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Arson
- Burglary
- Stalking
- Other Clery-reportable crimes as deemed appropriate by the chief of police or their designee
Timely Warnings will be delivered promptly and include a succinct description of the incident while striving to maintain the confidentiality of all victims. The primary objective is to prevent similar occurrences. Therefore, Timely Warnings may also include the general location of the incident, details assisting in the identification of a suspect, and recommended steps the community can take to promote their safety and the safety of others. Typically, Timely Warnings are written and distributed by the Chief of Police or a designee, with review by the Vice President of Operations, Vice President for Communications & Marketing and the Clery Act Coordinator before distribution.
2. Local Crime Alerts:
When the University Police become aware of a serious incident or violent crime in the vicinity of property outside of the University's Clery reportable geography yet heavily populated by members of the campus community, the incident will undergo evaluation for the potential issuance of a Local Crime Alert. The decision to issue a Local Crime Alert will be made through collaboration with the University's chief of police and/or their designee in consultation with appropriate senior administration. The assessment of what qualifies for issuance will be conducted on a case-by-case basis, considering the combination of information provided by local emergency services and information available to the university police through law enforcement channels.
Typically, Local Crime Alerts are written and distributed by the Chief of Police or a designee, with the Vice President of Operations and Vice President for Communications & Marketing reviewing before distribution. If the decision to issue a Local Crime Alert is made, it will be disseminated via the campus email system to all current students, faculty, and staff members. Additionally, the Local Crime Alert will be posted and archived on the University Police website under the "Crime Information" tab. The issuance of a local crime alert is not required by law, and the decision to do so is at the University's sole discretion.
Related Information:
Clery Act - https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/campus.html
UPD Safety Advisories - Safety Advisories
Document History:
| Date | Description | Responsible Party |
| 12/22/2022 | Annual Review of Policy | Office of the VP for Operations |
| 5/14/2024 | Revised policy to reflect enhanced procedure for notifying campus constituents. Changed policy name from Crime Advisory to Safety Advisory. | Office of the VP for Operations |
