PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION

Publ ic Safet y

Newslet t er Fal l 2017

Edi t ion

GERMANNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THIS ISSUE

Germanna received the honor of being the

first college within the Virginia Community

College System (VCCS) to become a State

Certified Crime Prevention Campus.

Germanna is also one of only five Institutions

of Higher Education of any kind in the state

to be so honored since the award's inception

in 2014. The certification approval comes

from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s

Criminal Justice Services Board by way of

recommendation from the Virginia

Department of Criminal Justice Services

(DCJS) Crime Prevention Center. GCC Police

Chief Craig Branch accepted the honors

along with other college police staff, college

president Dr. Janet Gullickson, and DCJS

Center for School and Campus Safety’s

Coordinator for Campus Safety and Violence

Prevention, Marc Dawkins at the August 25th

Germanna College Council meeting.

To be certified, a college or university must

detail crime prevention goals, programs and

accomplishments. A certified crime

prevention campus must have 11 core safety

elements and four electives; these include

having a certified crime prevention specialist

on staff, maintaining mutual aid agreements

with other agencies, continuing compliance

with the federal Jeanne Clery Act, having a

crisis management plan in place and

providing community based campus safety

information/programs. Participant

colleges/universities must undergo a rigorous

application process and provide proof of

overall community involvement and of

meeting the mandated and optional

elements. The college/university

communities are then closely examined by a

sub-committee of the Virginia Criminal

Justice Services Board (CJSB) to ensure that

they meet all required elements and have

proven their commitment to the safety of the

community.

Germanna will retain the crime prevention

campus certification for three years before

the college police department must

complete a reassessment process to

maintain certification, including assignment

of additional Virginia certified crime

prevention specialists.

GCC Refuse t o be a Vict im Interim Safety & Security Supervisor Latisha Smith

recently attended a train-the-trainer course on “Refuse

to be a Victim”, a national program that teaches both

men and women ways that they can reduce or eliminate

their chances of becoming victims of crime.

Page 2

Suicide Prevent ion: Speak Up,

Reach Out

In this article, view 8 ideas on how you can help prevent

suicide in your community.

Page 2

Germanna Becomes First VCCS St at e

Cert i f ied Crime Prevent ion Campus

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 2

In the majority of cases, people who are feeling

suicidal are dealing with conditions that will

pass in time if only they can get the help that

they need. In the meantime, there is much that

we as individuals can do to help these people.

The following are some suicide prevention tips

recommended by the non-profit organization

Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Don’t Discount Their Feelings

While you may think that their problems aren't

serious enough to warrant suicide, what really

matters is how serious they perceive them to be. If

it feels important to them, then, in their mind,

suicide may seem like a valid option. Listen to

what they are saying without offering judgements.

Look at Suicide as a Cry for Help

When a person attempts suicide, this isn't

necessarily a sign that they want to die. Instead,

it's an indicator that they are in great emotional

pain, but don't know how to deal with it. Suicide

has started to look like their only option to escape

a situation that they don't know how to handle. If

they are still alive, however, they are desperately

seeking an alternative to death and attempting

suicide is their way of reaching out and saying that

they need help.

Encourage Them to Get Help for Their

Depression

Even though some people's suicides may

sometimes seem to come out of the blue, it's quite

likely that they had been depressed for a very long

time. Getting prompt professional assistance at

the first signs of depression is a very important

step in preventing suicide. Working to take away

the stigma of depression and encouraging people

who are hurting to get the help that they need

right away can go a long way in saving lives

because the problem is dealt with before it gets

too bad.

Be a Good Listener

Being able to talk with a caring friend and

unburden yourself from your troubles can go a

long way in relieving the unbearable buildup of

pressure that can lead to a suicide attempt. Being

a good listener doesn't require any special skills. Be

patient and accepting, but avoid getting into an

argument or trying to offer simplistic solutions.

Simply be there and show that you care.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask About Their Suicidal

Feelings

While you may be afraid to bring up the topic of

suicide for fear of giving them ideas, the fact is

that those thoughts and feelings are there

regardless of what you might say. What you are

really doing by

bringing the topic up

is giving them an

opportunity to open

up to you and allow

you help them.

If They Are in

Danger, Don't

Leave Them

Alone

If they seem to be in

danger of hurting

themselves, do not

leave them alone.

Take steps to get

them away from any

means that they

could use to hurt

themselves, such as

weapons or pills. Call

911 or another emergency number for assistance if

need be or offer to transport them to the hospital.

Encourage Them to See a Mental Health

Professional

It may take some patience and persistence, but

urge them to make an appointment with a mental

health professional. Once they have made the

appointment, continue to maintain contact in

order to encourage them to follow through with

appointments and treatment plans.

Know That Secrets Can Kill

If the person asks you to not tell anyone, be aware

that you may have to break your promise in order

to help him. Having him alive but angry with you is

preferable to keeping a promise that leads to him

taking his life.

Refuse t o Be a

Vict im What you’ll learn:

Seminars are designed to heighten

awareness of what can and should be done to

stay safe.

Topics Include:

ℵ Resistance: Learn how to

keep your new home safe

ℵ Cyberstalking &

Cyberbullying: Learn

how to protect yourself

ℵ and others from being

bullied

ℵ On Campus Safety:

Become aware of

potential threats while on

campus

ℵ Sexual Assault: In 90%

of reported cases, the

victim knew his or her

attacker—develop a

safety strategy to lower

risk

ℵ And much more!

Develop your personal safety strategy!

The single most important step toward

ensuring your own safety is having a personal

safety strategy in place before you need it. A

safety strategy is a plan to minimize your risks

and prepare you for situations that can occur

in your daily life.

Suicide Prevent ion:

Speak Up, Reach Out !

The Refuse to Be a Victim Program teaches methods

to improve your personal safety by increasing

awareness, avoiding dangerous situations, and

preventing criminal confrontations. Focusing on

topics from general campus life to dangers of sexual

assault, RTBAV aims to provide students with

knowledge and strategies to help them avoid

criminal confrontations.

For more information

contact Latisha Smith,

Interim Safety & Security

Supervisor/RTBAV

Instructor

LNsmith@germanna.edu

(540) 834-1922

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 3

Reduce Your

Chances of

Becoming a

Vict im of Thef t

f rom a Mot or

Vehicle There are many things you can do to help

reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim

of theft from a motor vehicle.

1. Keep your car visible- Park in well-lit areas near

people or with an on-duty parking lot/deck

attendant or regular security patrols. Avoid having

your car concealed by larger vehicles, fences, or

foliage; thieves like to work in private.

2. Don’t make it easy- Keep windows and

sunroofs closed and doors locked. Almost one-

fourth of thefts from vehicles are from unlocked

cars.

3. Activate your vehicle’s alarm- Don’t have one?

Factory-installed and theft systems are best, but a

professionally installed alarm can discourage a car

break-in thief who likes to work in silence.

4. Hide your valuables- Many smash-and-grab

thieves act on impulse, so keep your stuff out of

sight–either with you or in a locked trunk. Don’t

count on the glove box; thieves know to look

there, and they’re easy to break into.

5. Hide your valuables- If you have a wagon or

SUV that leaves your cargo area open, get a

retractable fitted cover to keep shopping bags or

other belongings hidden.

6. Don’t hand a thief your keys- Take you keys

with you. And if you think you have a great hiding

place for a spare key, car break-in thieves know to

Six years ago on the afternoon of

August 23rd, a damaging earthquake

struck near Mineral, Virginia. The 5.8

earthquake caused considerable

damage, more than $200 million by

some estimates, in Virginia, Maryland,

and the District of Columbia. While it

wasn't a catastrophic event, it has

greatly impacted Louisa County,

Virginia where many structures were

damaged beyond repair. Because of

unique geology and soil conditions

east of the Mississippi River, it is

estimated that 100 million people felt

this earthquake. Thankfully, there

were no deaths from the tremor but

had it been much larger in magnitude,

the outcome may have been

drastically different.

To remind us that earthquakes do

occur in our area, as well as the best

actions to take in the event of an

earthquake, Germanna Community

College participated in its fifth annual

Great Southeast Shake Out, a multi-

state earthquake drill that took place

on Thursday, October 19th at 10:19

a.m. at various Germanna Community

College locations. The earthquake

drill only lasted about three minutes

and will not require an evacuation.

Instructions to drop, cover and hold

on will be broadcasted through our

alert system on a loop for the drill. We

will also send an E2 Campus message.

Your participation is very important

Why is it important to do a Drop,

Cover, and Hold On drill? To react

quickly you must practice often. You

may only have seconds to protect

yourself in an earthquake, before

strong shaking knocks you down--or

drops something on you. Practicing

helps you be ready to respond.

If you are inside a building, move no

more than a few steps, then Drop,

Cover and Hold On: DROP to the

ground (before the earthquake drops

you!), Take COVER by getting under a

sturdy desk or table, and HOLD ON to

it until the shaking stops. Stay indoors

till the shaking stops and you are sure

it is safe to exit. In most buildings in

the Southeast you are safer if you stay

where you are until the shaking stops.

2017 GREAT SHAKE

OUT!

look above the visor, in the center console, under the

floor mat, trunk well, etc.

7. Stow your stuff before arrival- Experienced thieves

often stake out parking lots to watch for people putting

items in their trunk. Help prevent car break-ins by

putting valuables like laptops, messenger bags, and

electronic devices into your trunk before you get to the

parking lot.

8. Stash the evidence as well- After you’ve put your

stuff in the trunk, don’t forget such telltale evidence as

power plugs, MP3 adapters, and navigation system

windshield suction-cup mounts. Thieves know what

they’re looking for, so hide the electronic accessories,

too.

9. Trust your instincts– If you see suspicious activity,

find another spot to park. If you’re concerned, tell the

attendant or report your suspicions to police. You may

be helping keep another person from being a victim.

10. Take it one more step- Many vehicles are broken

into with the intent of stealing the vehicle itself. Visible

anti-theft devices, like steering wheel locks, steering

column collars or brake pedal locks may discourage the

would-be thief from breaking in and trying.

If your car is broken into, your first course of

action is to not touch anything and call the

police! If you start taking inventory of the

possessions in your car, you will make it

difficult to impossible for the police to acquire

fingerprints or other clues from the vehicle.

Once you have filed a police report, then it

may be time to call your insurance company.

Whether or not this is the case, it depends on

upon whether you have the necessary

coverage to cover the cost of repairs to your

vehicle after it has been broken into.

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 4

Recently, College Title IX Coordinator

Mark Haines and GCC PD Victims

Services Officer Laurel Happe partnered

together to apply for and win a grant

from the Women and Girls Fund of the

Community Foundation of the

Rappahannock River Region. Funding

from this grant was used to produce an

educational video regarding both the

recognition and reporting of domestic

and dating violence on campus, and how

faculty, staff, and students can help fight

back. Additionally, pocket cards with

these steps for reporting and tips on

helping others will soon be distributed to

the college community, and this video

and related supplements will be a part of

every Student Development Class in the

near future. A special thank you to all of

the Germanna Community College

students and employees that

volunteered their time to make this

video such a success! To view this video,

click here: Dating and Domestic Violence

Video

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS

NO JOKE

Alcohol Awareness

On November 15th, Victims Services Officer Laurel Happe

and Chief of Police Craig Branch hosted a two hour long

event in the FAC/SP1 Student Lounge that paired the

seriousness of drunk driving with the fun of video games

and Fatal Vision Goggles. Students were invited to test their

“driving skills” while wearing goggles that simulated various

stages of inebriation while playing Mario Kart. Many students

were surprised at just how poorly their coordination was

affected by even the lowest levels. Others took it to the next level by combining certain strengths

with additional factors such as tunnel vision. This event was part of Operation Buzzkill, a partnership

between the College Police, Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and

the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. We will be hosting additional events like this next

semester.

“I have zero confidence

right now… Where am I?”

-student participating in

drunk driving Mario-Kart

event

Self -Care Event : Love Yoursel f

The holidays are such a stressful time of the year, especially for those who suffer from depression,

loss, anxiety, and many other triggers that can take a happy time for celebration and turn it into a

nightmare. In partnership with EmpowerHouse and the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual

Assault (RCASA), the Germanna Community College Police Department hosted a self-care

event entitled “Love Yourself” for the GCC community and general public. On hand were

representatives from area agencies to discuss their services. Additionally, mini breakout sessions

were offered free of charge for fun and relaxation including peaceful meditation, yoga, essential

oils demonstrations, and a healthy assortment of refreshments. Chair massages were also offered,

as well as art therapy. We anticipate this to become an annual event!

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 5

E2CAMPUS ALERTS

Germanna’s E2 Campus Alert systems can alert

students/employees with text messages on their

cell phones. With 90% of college students having

mobile phones, this method of communication

can increase safety within the Germanna

community. Time-sensitive messages can go out

to parents, students, faculty, and staff wherever

they are.

In addition to cell phones, E2 Campus enables

Germanna to send important emergency

information to you via email and or text. The

choice is yours! VERY IMPORTANT!! After you

register for cell phone notifications using the box

below, you MUST enter the 4 digit verification

code that will be text to your cell phone and enter

it on the verification screen.

For email notifications only, you must click the

verification link provided on the verification email

you will receive. You will not receive e2Campus

notifications until these steps are complete.

Click here to sign up today!

Student ID Cards—

Get Yours Today! First Aid Incidents If you haven’t gotten your student ID card or

updated your current one with a new sticker for

the FALL 2017 semester, now is the time! Your

student ID card is important for a number of

things on and off campus. First and foremost, it

helps us identify who you are and allows other

departments like the Welcome Center and

Student Activities provide you with better and

faster service. Additionally, your ID card also

functions as your library card on campus and is

required for you to do any testing in the Testing

Center.

Off campus, you can use your ID card to ride

Fred Bus for FREE, and enjoy numerous

discounts at various locales such as:

-Arby’s

-Buffalo Wild Wings

-Chick-fil-A

-Chipotle

-Waffle House

-Apple Store

-and more!!! (Policy varies by location, if you

aren’t sure, just ask!)

To obtain your student ID card, simply go to the

College Police office at the Locust Grove

Campus in OR1 RM 112, or our Police Dispatch

Center at the Fredericksburg Area Campus in

SP1 RM 121 between 8AM and 8PM Monday

through Friday. Your first ID card is free of

charge, as are the stickers issued to update

them each semester. However, should you lose

or damage your ID card, you must go to the

Cashier’s Office at either location and pay $5.00

for a replacement and bring a receipt to the

College Police office prior to having a new card

made.

For additional questions regarding student ID

cards, call our Dispatch Center at 540-891-3079.

E2Campus Alerts

College Police offices are equipped with first

aid kits and automatic external defibrillators

(AEDs) in the event of an emergency where

first aid is required. Our officers are also

certified in First Aid/CPR/AED and Blood Borne

Pathogen responses. In the event of a medical

emergency that requires emergency response

personnel and possible transport to the

nearest medical center, immediately dial 2-

911 from any campus phone or dial 540-727-

2911 from any outside line and one of our

dispatch officers will be ready to assist you and

dispatch an on-duty officer and EMS to the

scene. We can also handle

minor cuts, scrapes and

bruises. Just dial

540-891-3079

Click it or Ticket! A seat belt is your best defense against a reckless, impaired, or distracted driver. Did you

know that:

--Most fatal crashes occur at speeds below 40 mph and within 25 miles of your home.

--If you’re in a crash and are thrown from the vehicle you have a 75% chance of being killed.

When worn correctly seatbelts reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%.

--Death rates are more than 8 times higher when the occupant is not buckled or restrained.

--In 60% of fatal crashes the victim isn’t buckled. However, when worn, seatbelts can reduce

the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45%

It’s simple: You’re safer in your car when you’re buckled. Your passengers are safer when

they’re buckled. A seatbelt improves your odds of surviving a serious traffic crash. Set a good

example. Adults who don’t buckle up are sending children the message that it is all right to

not wear a seat belt. Children model adult behavior. 70 percent of the time that a driver is

unbuckled, you can bet that the children riding in that vehicle aren’t buckled either. Wearing a

safety belt is the law here in Virginia. It’s the law for a reason.

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 6

Germanna Communit y Col lege

Pol ice Depart ment ’ s 15-Five

Program

The College Police Department has initiated a new community

outreach program called 15-Five and is seeking the Germanna

community’s assistance with its implementation. The program

centers around asking our community members to give us 15

minutes to talk about 5 campus safety topics and or

programs/services we offer to keep our community safe and

informed. Some programs include; The LAW & YOU, Refuse To Be a

Victim, Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.), Citizen’s Repose to Active

Shooter Events (CRASE), Campus Community Emergency Response

Teams (C-CERT), Robbery Awareness and Prevention, Workplace

Violence and Dealing with Aggressive People, Personal Safety and

Crime Prevention at GCC, Understanding Victim Services, Drug &

Alcohol Abuse Awareness, Dating and Domestic Violence

Prevention, Stalking Awareness, Silent Witness Campaign, Campus

Security Authority (CSA), Virginia REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and

Naloxone Education Program, GCC PD Motorist Assistance,

Emergency Preparedness 101, and many more. If you would like us

to do a College PD 15-Five presentation for your department/office,

class, or organization, please contact us at police@germanna.edu .

Seasonal Inf luenza

Getting the flu means missing work, school, and special events like

the big game, a wedding, spring break or a special birthday party. It

puts life on hold. But even worse, for people at higher risk for

complications it can be very serious, even life threatening. Stay

healthy and help keep the people closest to you healthy too by

getting a seasonal flu vaccine. Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect

match with the circulating flu viruses, it’s still the best way to

prevent getting the flu. Be sure to wash your hands frequently. If

you do get sick, remember to cough into your arm or elbow, and

stay home so you don’t spread the illness to others.

What is influenza?

Influenza is commonly referred to as the “flu”. It is a contagious

respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose,

throat and lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at

times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by

getting a flu vaccine each year.

What are the symptoms of flu?

Symptoms of flu may include fever (though not everyone with flu

will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body

aches, headache, fatigue (tiredness), chills, and sometimes diarrhea

and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure.

Although most people are ill for less than a week, some people have

complications and may need to be hospitalized.

Who gets influenza?

Influenza can infect persons of all ages. The flu can be especially

serious for babies, children, pregnant women, adults 65 years and

older, people with certain long-term medical conditions (e.g., lung

disease, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes), or those with weak

immune systems. However, even healthy people can get the flu

year.

How is it spread?

The flu virus spreads easily in discharges from the nose and throat of an

infected person. It is often spread by coughing, sneezing or talking. A

person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the

flu virus on it, and then touching his or her own mouth, eyes or nose.

When and for how long is a person able to spread the disease?

Influenza can spread from one person to another beginning one day

before symptoms start up to five to seven days after becoming sick. This

means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before

you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. If you have the flu,

make sure you stay at home and away from school, work, or other

activities until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of a

medicine to reduce your fever).

Who should be vaccinated against influenza?

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.

Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. It’s especially

important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at

high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live

with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related

complications.

The influenza vaccine is updated every year to provide protection from

the flu viruses that are likely to be circulating and causing disease. Also,

your body’s level of immunity from a vaccine received last flu season is

expected to have declined. Getting vaccinated every year before

influenza activity begins in your community can help protect you during

the flu season. The best time to get vaccinated is as soon as the vaccine is

available. However, it’s never too late to get vaccinated.

Flu vaccines protect against multiple strains of influenza. Even if the

vaccine is not a “perfect” match to all the circulating flu strains, the

vaccine can still offer some protection, and may help to prevent

complications or severe illness if flu illness does occur.

Infants younger than 6 months are too young to get a flu vaccine, but

they are at higher risk for complications, hospitalization and death from

the flu. Therefore, it is especially important that family members and

other people who care for young infants get vaccinated to help ensure

that they don’t spread the infection to them.

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine, for instance,

people who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine or any of its

components in the past. For more information about who should and who

should not get vaccinated, visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm.

Who is at high risk for developing flu complications?

The flu is a serious disease, especially for certain age groups and people

with certain chronic health conditions, such as:

Children younger than 5, but especially younger than 2 years old

Adults 65 years of age and older

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 7

Women who are pregnant or who have just had a baby

People with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD),

diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, blood

disorders, weak immune systems and certain other long-term

medical conditions

People who are morbidly obese

The flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia and

bronchitis and can make chronic health problems worse. To help

prevent the spread of the flu, those who live with people in a high-

risk group and healthcare workers who provide care to high-risk

patients should also receive an annual influenza vaccine.

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The viruses contained in flu

vaccines are weakened or inactivated (killed), meaning they

cannot cause the full-blown illness. The most common side effect

of the injectable flu vaccine is soreness at the spot where the shot

was given. Persons who receive the nasal spray may experience a

runny nose or headache.

If you get flu-like symptoms soon after getting vaccinated, it can

mean you may have been exposed to the flu before you received

your vaccine, or during the two-week period it takes the body to

gain protection after vaccination. It might also mean you are sick

with another illness that causes symptoms similar to the flu.

For more information about the flu and the benefits of the flu

vaccine, talk to your health care provider or contact your local

health department.

Congratulations to Chief Branch, Deputy Chief Houchens, and First

Sergeant Chris Anderson. First Sergeant Anderson received his State

Crime Prevention Specialist certification. Chief Branch and Deputy Chief

Houchens received their State Crime Prevention Specialist re-

certification. Area 1 Safety & Security Supervisor Robert Jones and Officer

Blake Dobson recently completed their initial training towards the

certification process.

Commonwealt h of Virginia Crime

Prevent ion Special ist (CPS) Cert if icat ion

Over the years, Virginia law enforcement professionals have been

increasingly aware of the importance of community crime prevention.

Crime prevention units were created and many agencies developed a

cadre of highly trained and motivated crime prevention practitioners.

These practitioners worked and are working with citizens and business

leaders to promote and employ an increasing variety of crime prevention

strategies. In recent years, the advent and adoption of community-

oriented policing has further increased the role and importance of these

practitioners.

As knowledge about crime prevention grew and crime prevention

strategies became more complex, crime prevention practitioners had to

participate in an increasing number of training opportunities to stay on

the cutting edge of the field. In addition, practitioners were asked to

assume larger roles in their agencies and offer more than basic crime

prevention services.

By the 1990s, a significant portion of Virginia's law enforcement

community recognized that many crime prevention practitioners had

reached a new level of professional development. In response, a

milestone for crime prevention in the Commonwealth was reached in

1994, when the General Assembly established the Crime Prevention

Specialist Certification Program (CPS). In 2002, the General Assembly

expanded the scope of the CPS program to provide the opportunity for

certification of non-law enforcement public safety professionals. This

includes individuals involved in school security officers, campus security

officers, crime prevention practitioners at Virginia’s military bases, and

state agencies such as the DCJS, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the

Department of Transportation, the Capitol Police and others.

This program is designed to recognize accomplished professionals in the

field of crime prevention by establishing minimum standards for training

and experience. Since its establishment, over 1,000 practitioners have

received the specialist certification.

Safe Shopping

Being a Savvy Shopper doesn’ t have

t o be Dangerous

The holidays are always a joyful time of the year, but they are

also a peak time for criminal activity. Those who may wish you

less than good tidings thrive on the chaos of the season and

look for opportunities through the good nature of others to

commit horrible crimes.

More than one in ten property crimes occur in parking lots.

Now is the time when shoppers are flocking to the malls and

superstores, eyeing good bargains and stocking up on goodies

to put under the tree. In the coming weeks, occupancy in public

and commuter parking lots will reach an annual high, and with

the good comes the potential for the bad. Know how to

maintain your safety while out and about. Just following these

few simple rules can avert disaster:

1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep your

phone and your earbuds in your parking when going

to and from your vehicle so that you can better see

and hear potential threats around you.

2. Keep your purse secured in your trunk and carry as

little cash on you as possible. Carry what money and

credit/debit cards you do have in your FRONT pocket.

Continued on the next page

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 8

Each Germanna Community College campus or location

has clearly marked designated smoking areas. Please, be

courteous to others by only smoking in these locations.

Smoking or inhaling any substance, by any method,

including, but not limited to, tobacco products, e-

cigarettes, and aromatic smoking products, such as clove

cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, or any other similar device(s) is prohibited in any undesignated area. All smokers are prohibited

from smoking within 25 feet of entrances to all college properties as well as all buildings and exterior structures. The purpose

of this policy is to provide a safe, healthy and clean work and academic environment, improve indoor and outdoor air quality,

and promote the comfort of students, faculty, staff, and guests. Please, dispose of tobacco products in appropriate receptacles. Any lighted tobacco

product must be disposed of in the receptacles located at designated smoking areas and not in trashcans or on the ground. This aids in preventing fire

hazards and unsightly rubbish. Additionally, the sale or promotional distribution of tobacco products on Germanna Community College campuses and

properties is strictly prohibited. You can view this policy in its entirety here: GCC Smoking Policy.

Smoking in Designat ed

Smoking Areas

3. The parking lots might be crowded, but fight for that space closest to

the store! Park in a well-lit area and make a mental note of where your

vehicle is. Criminals are looking for vulnerable people that seem lost and

cannot find their car.

4. Always have your keys ready when heading to your vehicle. Even

though you might have bags and boxes galore, the extra time you have to

take fidgeting to open your door is extra time a thief has to surprise you

and take your things.

5. Look into the back seat of your car BEFORE you open the door to get

in. It is not unheard of for criminals to hide behind the driver’s seat, waiting

to abduct someone who may be unaware of their presence.

6. And, lastly, be prepared to defend yourself! Someone who is looking

timid, lost, or absent-minded is a prime target for a predator. Keep your

head up, and your hands as free as possible.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD)

Recently, the Germanna Community College held one of its largest RAD classes at the Fredericksburg Area Campus during the first week of

November. With nearly 15 students in attendance, this was perhaps one of our most successful classes to date! What is RAD? The Rape

Aggression Defense System (RAD) is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. The RAD System is a comprehensive course for

women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training.

RAD is not a Martial Arts program. Courses are taught by certified RAD Instructors and provide you with a workbook/reference manual. This

manual outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for reference and continuous personal growth. The RAD System of Physical Defense is

currently being taught at many Colleges and Universities. The growing, wide-spread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease,

simplicity and effectiveness of the tactics, solid research, legal defensibility and unique teaching methodology. The Rape Aggression Defense

System is dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault, by utilizing easy, effective and

proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. Our system of realistic defense will provide a woman with the knowledge to make an educated decision

about resistance.

Upcoming Classes:

March 5-8 at the Locust Grove Campus

April 2-5 at the Fredericksburg Area Campus

For more information or to sign up, contact

Latisha Smith, RAD Instructor/Interim Safety & Security Supervisor

@540-834-1922 or LNsmith@germanna.edu

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 9

Germanna Community College Police Department

Administration -2130 Germanna Highway P.O. Box 1430- Locust Grove, Virginia 22508

Operations/Communications- 10000 Germanna Point Drive- Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408 Emergency (540) 727-2911 • Non-Emergency (540) 891-3079 • Fax: (540) 423-1981

**REMINDER**

Annual Securit y Report Germanna’s 2017 Annual Crime Report has been published!

The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and

Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and

universities, both public and private, participating in federal student

aid programs to disclose campus safety information, and imposes

certain basic requirements for handling incidents of sexual violence

and emergency situations. Disclosures about crime statistics and

summaries of security policies are made once a year in an Annual

Security Report (ASR), and information about specific crimes and

emergencies is made publicly available on an ongoing basis

throughout the year. The report is published by October 1 each

year.

The Clery Act is named in memory of Jeanne Clery who was raped

and murdered in her residence hall room by a fellow student she did

not know on April 5, 1986. Her parents championed laws requiring

the disclosure of campus crime information, and the federal law

that now bears their daughter's name was first enacted in 1990. It

has been amended regularly over the last two decades to keep up

with changes in campus safety with the most

recent update in 2013 to expand

the law's requirements concerning

the handling of sexual violence

(see the summary of the Campus

Sexual Violence Elimination Act

for additional information about

these requirements which took

effect in 2014).

To view the 2016 Annual Crime

Report, click on the link here

Annual Security Report

Recent Event s!

SEPTEMBER 20TH AND 21ST-SEXUAL VIOLENCE

AWARENESS EVENT AT THE LOCUST GROVE

CAMPUS

OCTOBER 3RD-RED FLAG CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF

EVENT AT THE LOCUST GROVE CAMPUS

OCTOBER 4TH-RED FLAG CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF

EVENT AT THE FREDERICKSBURG AREA CAMPUS

OCTOBER 10TH-PROJECT CLOTHESLINE EVENT

AT THE LOCUST GROVE CAMPUS

OCTOBER 11TH-PROJECT CLOTHESLINE EVENT

AT THE FREDERICKSBURG AREA CAMPUS

OCTOBER 26TH-FEAR 2 FREEDOM EVENT

NOVEMBER 14TH-ALCOHOL AWARENESS EVENT

AT THE LOCUST GROVE CAMPUS

NOVEMBER 15TH-ALCOHOL AWARENESS EVENT

AT THE FREDERICKSBURG AREA CAMPUS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND UPCOMING

EVENTS, CONTACT OFFICER HAPPE AT

540-423-9183 OR BY EMAIL AT

LHAPPE@GERMANNA.EDU

PUBLIC SAFETY NEWSLETTER FALL 2017 EDITION | 10

October was National Domestic Violence Awareness Month