College of Charleston - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Statistics show that the College of Charleston, even with its urban setting, is no more dangerous than a college or university with a closed campus. Thirty-eight professionally trained police officers (a large number in comparison to colleges much larger than C of C) patrol the campus and surrounding areas 24 hours a day, and 15 security officers are stationed in the residence halls. Sometimes students feel that campus security is more like campus surveillance; police officers are on just about every corner, and they even check your bags when you enter the residence halls after a certain hour of the night (hide alcohol accordingly). And just because the guards at the dorms are not police officers doesn’t mean security in the dorms is lax. Every student’s ID card is programmed to their particular dorm, so if you go to a friend’s dorm, you can’t get in except as a guest, and the guard at the front desk takes down every guest’s information. This may seem like a bother, but there are some sketchy characters that lurk outside the dorms at night, so you will come to appreciate the inconvenience.

Overall, students feel that security officers are doing a good job (in spite of occasional bike thefts). Incidents of violence and crime are nearly unheard of on the College’s campus, though. Most cases of burglary, vandalism, and assault (aside from confrontations and fights) occur outside the boundaries of campus. Obviously, it’s the students’ responsibility to take care of themselves and their property on and off campus, but when they can’t, or a threat seems to be present, public safety is always there to do what they can.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I like the fact that we have... I like the fact that we have emergency call boxes on campus. You can call a public safety officer any time—day or night—and they’ll take you wherever you want to go, even if you just have a bad feeling about the street or something. That makes me feel safe on campus. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

My bike has been stolen twice.... My bike has been stolen twice. You’re telling me public safety is doing a good job and they can’t even keep people’s bikes from being stolen? 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

They’re everywhere! You can’t... They’re everywhere! You can’t stand on the street corner with a beer in your hand without getting caught! But they’re pretty cool about letting people leave parties even though they know they’ve been drinking. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Because our school is in the city,... Because our school is in the city, public safety is doubly careful. They keep students as safe as they can. I guess it’s the city police that’s to blame for the college kids that get mugged walking home late at night. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Public safety has taught me to... Public safety has taught me to never throw a keg party at my house. If they break it up, they could fine you over a $1,00for noise violation. No thanks. 12345 Safety & Security Report

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Hometown: Sewickley, PA
Major: Historic Preservation and Community Planning

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