Section 2: Northeastern Campus Safety & Security

Overview of the Northeastern Campus Safety & Security Department (Scope of Authority)

Northeastern Junior College presently employs one staff member as the Coordinator of Campus Safety & Security. This position is an unsworn position, which means that this position has no arrest authority. The duties of this position are to develop and enhance the Safety & Security program and procedures for the campus, which include security, fire and life safety procedures and training programs, chairing the Safety & Security Committee, and the process of Clery Act compliance, amongst other duties and responsibilities.
The Coordinator of Campus Safety & Security and the other Student Services/Resident Life Staff work closely with the Sterling Police Department and the Sterling Fire Department, as well as the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol and the Logan County Office of Emergency Management to grow all aspects of Safety & Security on campus. Northeastern does not have any Memorandums of Understanding with any of these agencies.
When a crime is committed, all criminal law enforcement responsibilities are provided by one of our partners mentioned above, primarily the Sterling Police Department, as the main campus falls within the city limits. The Equine program is largely held at the facilities that we utilize at the Logan County Fairgrounds, and the Applied Technology Campus borders Logan County and the City of Sterling line, so each of those agencies has participated in assisting us at one point or another with our law enforcement, Safety and Security needs.

Crime Prevention and Awareness

Northeastern Campus Safety & Security Mission Statement

Safety Tips

Campus Safety Begins with You
The College has made provisions to protect and preserve individuals and property by securing buildings, locked and supervised residence halls, supervised activities, continued monitoring of campus lighting, and staff on duty. Nothing can improve your personal safety and security better than your own prudent and reasonable actions. Take time to investigate how to access emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance. Learn about the safest and quickest routes exiting any campus building. Know how, and whom to report unsafe conditions and the conduct of others that are dangerous to themselves and others. Personal awareness and current campus information is your best protection against crime and accidents.
Northeastern 2021 Annual Security Report | Annual Fire Safety Report 31

Personal Safety

Most assaults are one-on-one. Decrease your chances of assault by walking with someone else. If a friend is not available, call the RA Walk-Back Program to arrange for an RA to walk you to your Residence Hall or car.

At night, stick to well-lighted, populated areas. Avoid walking along.
Tell others where you are going and when you expect to return.
Report anyone who is acting suspiciously to the Vice President of Student Services or the Coordinator of Campus Safety & Security.
Always lock your door when in your room or apartment. Don’t leave the door to your room or doors to a building unlocked or propped open for friends to visit later. Make arrangements to meet them to let them into the building.
Don’t let strangers into the building or into your room.
Do not put your address on your key holder.
Keep emergency numbers in your cell phone.

Personal Property

Keep your room locked at all times, even if you will be out for “just a minute.”
Lock your bicycles with a U-type lock to a secure bicycle rack. If possible, use extra reinforcements on your U-type lock.
Always lock your car. Do not leave tempting valuables or property visible inside your car. Lock these items in the truck.
Don’t leave books or other valuables, such as iPads, purses or backpacks, unattended for even short periods of time.
When walking, hold your purse or backpack close to your body. Avoid carrying large amounts of money with you.
Never let anyone else borrow your keys or your Student ID card.

Sexual Offenses

Most sexual assaults occur between people who are acquaintances or friends. Awareness of the possibility that it may happen to you is the first step in prevention.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. They impair your judgment and make you vulnerable to sexual assault.
Go to parties with a group of friends and agree to leave together.
Communicate your expectations and desires clearly. Hints and insinuations may lead to miscommunication. No means NO!
If you are on a date and feel uneasy or feel that you might be in danger, trust your instincts and leave.

Driving

Park in well-lighted area whenever possible
Heed speed limit signs and traffic control signage
Do not drink and drive
Do not text and drive
Lock car doors at all times, even while driving

Bystander Intervention

Being an effective bystander:
It is important to be aware of your surroundings, this is called Situational Awareness. When you become aware that someone may be in a tense situation, look around you and think about what is happening, who is around, are there any hazards? What options do you have? Having or developing the skills to assist in reducing harm to others, and to deal with concerning situations is a very important way to contribute to a positive culture on campus, and to the overall Safety and Security of the campus community. Helping others is an important foundation to being a citizen and neighbor, and most people are motivated to look out for each other. Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If possible, ask others if they are getting the same feeling. If necessary, call for help.
Effective strategies for intervening and helping others.

Be Direct

Some situations are straightforward, like when someone trips or simply needs help and can’t help themselves. Being direct may be your best option.

Be Creative, Use a Distraction

Sometimes being direct has the potential to backfire, especially if tempers flare or someone is under the influence of something, even if there is the possibility that you are reading the situation wrong. Creating a distraction to draw someone’s attention away from the problem or to interrupt a tense situation can be effective.

Go Covert

Again, being creative and flying under the radar, so to speak, can be a really useful strategy when you don’t want to make the situation even more tense, or risk embarrassing them, or being too obvious about what you are trying to do.

Be Resourceful, Got Others to Help

If possible, try to alert others of the situation, or even try to enlist their help prior to getting involved. This might look like getting someone who is better trained to help, or who has authority to address the situation. It also may simply mean getting someone who is with you, or someone else who is available to recognize the problem and to assist in the distraction.

Right Now vs. Later on

If it’s not an imminent emergency, especially if you are acquainted with the parties involved, you might have the option to talk to them at a later time, or to report it to someone who can step in to assist. This can give you time to gather your thoughts and think about what to say or figure out other options.