The Campus Crime Alert (“Alert”) is provided to give students, faculty and staff timely notification of crimes that may represent a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community and to heighten safety awareness. The Alert also seeks information that may lead to arrest and conviction of the offender when violent crimes against persons or substantial crimes against property have been reported.

DPS is responsible for issuing a Campus Crime Alert when a crime is reported to or brought to the attention of DPS and that crime represents a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of members of the campus community. Information for Alerts also comes from other law enforcement agencies. Every attempt will be made to distribute the Alert within a reasonable amount of time that the incident is reported to DPS. However, the release is subject to the availability of accurate facts concerning the incident, and investigation restraints. Alerts are created by DPS and distributed via the campus email system.

Timely Warning Procedure

DPS may issue a Campus Crime Alert whenever a report is received of a violent crime against a person or a substantial crime against property on campus that represents a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of students, faculty and staff. Alerts may be assigned the same number as the corresponding police report and provide details of the crime, a description of the suspect if known, information on whom to contact with information and safety tips.

Campus Crime Alerts may be e-mailed, to faculty, staff, and students, distributed throughout campus, provided to campus media and posted on the DPS web site. Campus Crime Alerts typically include the following information:

1. A succinct statement of the incident.

2. Any connection to previous incidents.

3. Physical description and/or composite drawing of the suspect, if appropriate.

4. Date and time the bulletin was released.

5. Other relevant and important information.

6. Appropriate safety tips.

Emergency Text Messaging System

Georgetown Law currently subscribes to the Blackboard Connect ED emergency notification system. The Blackboard Connect™ service provides all Georgetown Law Community members who have enrolled in the Hoya Alert System with time-sensitive information – via voice, text, and email.

Messages may be used for situations that pose immediate danger or the closing of an entire campus. Messages about Campus Crime Alerts generally will not be sent unless it is decided there is an imminent threat of danger.

Revised August 6, 2010