Welcome to the Office of Campus Safety

Dial (509) 475-7040 for immediate assistance - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For general security questions and concerns, dial (509) 533-3446.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions About Parking

Links

Crime Statistics

• 2003 - 2006 Crime Statistics Report
• 2006 - 2008 Crime Statistics Report
• 2009 – 2011 Crime Statistics Report will be available in 2012

Lost and Found

Additional Information

The Office of Campus Safety is in Building 17, Room 125 (Area 16 on the Student Union Building map).

Security’s mission is to provide a safe learning environment to all who come to our campus and to protect community college property. We will act with timeliness, respect and courtesy towards everyone with whom we come in contact. We will treat every caller with dignity and give every call due importance.

It matters to us that your time at SFCC is a great experience. If you encounter any problems while attending SFCC please feel free to contact Security and we will find the appropriate person to assist you.

Please refer to the Washington Administrative Codes website for information about the standards of conduct that students must abide by: WAC 132Q-30 Standards of Conduct for Students

Student Conduct Code

It is expected that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the CCS community; that they will observe the standards of conduct, respect the rights, privileges and property of other members of the academic community, and will not interfere with legitimate college business appropriate to the pursuit of academic goals. View the Student Code of Conduct and General Policies Reference Manual for more information.

BIT

It is EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY to report observed student behavior that gives cause for concern. SFCC is committed to the health and safety of its faculty, staff and students and to maintaining a safe environment in which they may work and learn. Therefore, any student behavior that causes concern on campus or in the classroom should be reported to the SFCC Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Simply complete the BIT Referral Report form and email it to BIT@spokanefalls.edu. For more information about the BIT team, visit the BIT website.

Weapons on Campus

No college personnel, student or guest shall carry, transport within a vehicle or otherwise possess any weapon, explosive device, hazardous chemicals or any other hazardous device such as knives on any college campus or other district property except for use in an authorized college activity with express authorization from the chief executive of the campus or an authorized designee.

Alcohol on Campus

Possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is not permitted on campus. Selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 is also not permitted on campus. Campus Alcohol policies and guidelines must be met before any alcohol-related event may be permitted.

Minor in Possession of Alcohol is a misdemeanor offense; if convicted it may have a negative effect on certain job requirements or opportunities.

Drugs on Campus

The use or sale of any illegal or controlled substances is prohibited. SFCC has a zero tolerance policy in regards to any drug-related issue. The following is a partial list of illicit drugs considered to be controlled substances by the state of Washington (CH.69.50):

• Narcotics (opium and cocaine, and all drugs extracted, derived, or synthesized from opium and cocaine, including crack cocaine and heroin)
• Marijuana
• Methamphetamine
• Barbiturates
• Hallucinogenic substances (LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, PCP, THC, MDA, STP)

Table of Contents

• Sex Offender Notification
• Purpose of Notification
• What Are the Different Sex Offender Levels and What Do They Mean?

Sex Offender Notification

The SFCC Security Department, maintains records of sex offenders who have been brought to the attention of the Security Department by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office maintains an online registry of Level 2 and 3 sex offenders who are registered to live in Spokane County. You can search for offenders by Zip Code or by an offender's name.

Using this public information to threaten, intimidate or harass sex/kidnap offenders will not be tolerated. This abuse could potentially terminate our ability to release this important information to the public.

Sex offenders (includes kidnappers), Levels I, II, & III, are required by law to register with the county sheriff in the county where they reside. The law requires that they also inform the county sheriff if they register for school. The county sheriff, in turn, is required to notify the school that the sex offender has registered to attend the school. These notifications are intended to inform rather than create panic.

Notifications of sex offenders enrolling in Community Colleges of Spokane are received from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department and are sent to the campus vice presidents for student services, where they are placed in binders and are available for viewing. Notifications are also published in the campus newspapers.

The campus Vice Presidents make decisions based on the offender’s profile regarding restrictions, if any, which may be imposed on this student.

The SFCC Security Department considers the protection of our community from sex offenders to be of significant importance. The objective of the 1990 Community Protection Act was to provide adequate notice to the community concerning sex offenders who are, or will be attending, working or residing on the campus, and to assist our community members in developing constructive plans to prepare themselves and their children for residing near released sex offenders.

Information that is relevant and necessary to protect the public and to counteract the danger created by a particular offender is released pursuant to RCW 4.24.550.

The extent and content of the disclosure of relevant and necessary information shall be related to:

• The risk posed by the offender to the community
• The location where the offender resides, intends to reside, is regularly found, or is employed
• The needs of affected community members for information that is necessary to protect their interests and safety

The manner and mode of dissemination is restricted by the standards set forth by the legislature and interpreted by the Washington State Supreme Court in State v. Ward, 123 Wn. 2d 488, (1994) and its progeny.

Purpose of Notification

An informed public is a safer public. Notification is not intended to increase fear. Unless restricted by a court order, sex/kidnap offenders are constitutionally permitted to live wherever they choose. The legislature has determined that the purpose of the Community Protection Act of 1990 is "to assist law enforcement agency's efforts to protect their communities" by providing relevant and necessary information.

The Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board are required to classify all sex offenders released from their facilities into levels of risk (low, moderate, or high). These agencies then issue to appropriate law enforcement agencies narrative notices regarding the pending release of sex offenders. The narrative notices describe the identity and criminal history behavior of the offender and shall include a risk level classification for the offender. Upon receiving a narrative notice, local law enforcement agencies review all available information and assign risk-level classifications to all sex offenders about whom information will be disseminated for the purpose of community notification.

What Are the Different Sex Offender Levels and What Do They Mean?

Level I

The vast majority of registered sex offenders are classified as Level 1 offenders. They are considered at low risk to re-offend. These individuals may be first time offenders and they are usually known by their victims. They normally have not exhibited predatory type characteristics and most have successfully participated or are participating in approved treatment programs. Level I offenders MAY NOT be the subject of general public notification.

Washington State Law strictly limits public disclosure of all Level I Registered Sex Offender information. Information shall be shared with other law enforcement agencies and, upon request, relevant, necessary and accurate information may be disclosed to any victim or witness to the offense and to any individual community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level I offenders MAY NOT be the subject of general public notification.

In order to receive specific information about these offenders, you must meet certain criteria. SFCC Security Department will disclose Level I Sex Offender information upon request, to any community member who resides near an offender.

Level II

Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of re-offending. They generally have more than one victim and the abuse may be long term. These offenders usually groom their victims and may use threats to commit their crimes; they have a higher likelihood of re-offending than the Level 1 offenders. They are considered a higher risk to re-offend, because of the nature of their previous crime(s) and lifestyle (drug and alcohol abuse and other criminal activity). Some have refused to participate or failed to complete approved treatment programs. Typically these individuals do not appreciate the damage they have done to their victims.

Washington State Law Prohibits the Public Disclosure of Level II Registered Sex Offenders except under specific criteria. Level II notifications including relevant, necessary and accurate information may be disclosed to public and private schools, child day care centers, family day care providers, businesses and organizations that serve primarily children, women or vulnerable adults, and neighbors and community groups near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level II offenders MAY NOT be the subject of general public notification.

Level III

Level 3 offenders are the greatest risk to the community. Most are predatory, have other violent crime convictions, refused treatment and are known substance abusers. Community notification is the most extensive.

Washington State Law permits notifications about Level III offenders that include relevant, accurate and necessary information. This information MAY BE disclosed to the public at large.

SFCC Smoking Policy

Smoking on SFCC Campus Permitted in Designated Areas Only

SFCC is embracing a student initiative to remove the use of tobacco from the heart of the campus. Smoking shelters and other designated smoking areas have been relocated to the perimeter of the campus. Please join in supporting this campus initiative by utilizing the designated areas.

Beginning January 2, 2013:

• Individuals observed smoking outside of the designated smoking areas (see map below) are subject to a smoking citation.
• Tobacco in its non-smoking form, i.e. "chew", is also restricted on campus. (WAC 132Q-30-231)
• Vapor smoking devices, i.e. "E-Cigarettes" are also included in the initiative. (WAC 132Q-30-231))
• Marijuana, although now deemed "legal" (I-502) in Washington State, is still prohibited on the SFCC campus. The restrictions on marijuana use, in any form, is similar to the restrictions regarding the use of alcohol. Alcohol consumption and use is legal in the state of Washington, but CCS restricts its use and possession on campus facilities. In addition, the new marijuana law is not consistent with Federal law; therefore SFCC must conform to Federal rules or risk losing Federal financial aid funding. WAC 132Q-30-228 and 230)

A support program is available for students who would like assistance with quitting smoking. Details can be obtained from the Vice President of Student Services office, Bldg. 17, Room 150.

Thanks for your patience as SFCC makes this transistion.

The Spokane Falls Community College office of Campus Safety employs a variety of safety professionals including campus security officers who have received special commissions from the Spokane Police Department, SFCC Work Study Students who perform additional security and parking duties, as well as contract security personnel who support SFCC campus safety and security as needed.

Select the e-mail link to send an e-mail. The globe icon identifies faculty web sites. Click the globe to visit the site.

Students that qualify for state or federal work study may apply to work directly with the office of campus safety. There are two starting positions for qualified students: Parking Enforcement and Student Security.

Parking Enforcement Officers

Parking Enforcement Officers patrol the campus parking lots and issue citations as necessary.

Student Security Officers

Student security officers provide all aspects of campus security: parking control, incident response, incident reports, traffic control, jump starts and unlocks, safety escorts, and assisting police in the event of an emergency.

Promotion and Advancement

Based on longevity, evaluations, and recommendations, work study students in the Office of Campus Safety can earn promotions, awards, special training opportunities, and advancements.

Current Student Officers

Traffic and Safety Handbook

In an emergency, please call (509) 475-7040 OR call for help from a Blue Phone.

All college personnel and students should immediately report any crime, suspicious circumstance/person or emergency to the Office of Campus Safety. Other departments or authorities will be notified as necessary.

• If you are a victim of a crime that has occurred on campus
• If you see a suspicious activity or a suspicious vehicle on campus
• If you have information about a theft of property
• If you have been involved in an auto accident or have witnessed one
• If you smell or see smoke/flames or fumes inside a building

• If you have been injured and/or need first aid
• If you notice any other safety or security related problems

• Change your direction or cross the street
• Keep looking back so the person knows you can’t be surprised
• Go to a well-lighted area, such as a classroom, office or library, anywhere there are people
• Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can give a good description
• At night, walk with someone; there is safety in numbers
• Report anything suspicious to campus security or the police

Vehicle Safety

When parking your vehicle: LOCK – TAKE – HIDE

• LOCK your car
• TAKE your keys
• HIDE your belongings

• Don’t walk alone
• Check the immediate area around you
• Watch for traffic
• Have your keys in your hand
• Check the front and back of your vehicle before getting inside
• Once inside, lock your doors

Sexual Assault

Community Colleges of Spokane is aware of the growing occurrence of sexual assault, including acquaintance/date rape. All members of the college community are encouraged to follow standard crime prevention practices such as locking their motor vehicles, parking and walking in well-lighted areas, and being aware of the people and surroundings around them. Students and employees are encouraged to attend educational programs concerning awareness and the prevention of sex offenses, including acquaintance/date rape, both on and off campus. Community Colleges of Spokane offers information and referral for victims of sexual assault. Victims of sexual assault on any district-owned or leased facility are encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible to a college official, through the normal security procedures, as well as to local law enforcement authorities.

What to do if you are Sexually Assaulted

Get to a safe place and call the police (911) immediately, especially if the assailant is nearby.

Get medical attention immediately. The primary purpose of a medical examination is to check for physical injury, the presence of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy as a result of the assault. The secondary purpose of a medical examination is to aid in the police investigation and legal proceedings. Do not bathe or douche until you have a medical examination.

Save your clothing. It is all right to change clothes, however save what you were wearing and place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag and save for the police. Your clothing could be used as evidence for prosecution.

Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to report the incident to the police, seek medical attention and use the resources of the Sexual Assault Center and Lutheran Social Services at (509) 747-8224 or (509) 624-RAPE (24-hour crisis line).