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Housatonic committed to students’ safety

Published: New Haven Register August 5, 2004

BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College’s commitment to student safety can be summed up with four words: “be safe, feel safe.”

That commitment is reflected in the low incidence of any type of crime at the downtown Bridgeport campus. According to reports prepared in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act, misdemeanor larceny was the only crime reported on the campus in 2003 and that involved the disappearance of unattended articles such as textbooks and handbags, reported Christopher Gough, HCC Director of Public Safety/Security.

While there were only two such incidents in 2003, the college averages about eight per year, he said.

The Clery Act requires colleges to report instances of criminal homicide, negligent manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, forcible and non-forcible sexual offenses, hate crimes, and weapon, drug, and liquor law violations and arrests.

Gough attributes the low crime rate to the fact that faculty, staff, and students willingly report any type of suspicious behavior or activity.

“ It’s the Community Block Watch principle in action,” he said. “People know that inappropriate or criminal behavior will be reported so they abstain from it.”

As important as being safe is feeling safe, Gough said. The college has taken numerous steps to engender this sense of safety, he said.

Seven police officers and security guards are on duty during all times the college is open. An extensive video surveillance system gives the security teams a real-time view of numerous locations on campus and in the nearby parking garage.

There are emergency intercoms throughout the college, its courtyard area and the nearby parking garage that, with the touch of a button, put callers in touch with the college Security office and interface with the surveillance system.

“ In addition, security personnel are available to accompany students to and from their cars upon request,” Gough said.