Public Safety on the Green

Officer Cournoyer, Officer Smith and the departments Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth, were hosting a table on the green last week to promote all that Public Safety does on campus.

Keep an eye out for other events! If you're lucky, you may obtain a FREE lockout card!

Safety Alert

This afternoon a student reported being assaulted last night (Saturday) at about 11:45 pm outside of Blanchard near the patio door facing the bus stop. The male approached her and asked her to take him to her room. When she declined, he grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her away. The student was able to break away and was then struck by the male’s hand. Two other students came out of the Blanchard door and the male ran off towards Lower Lake Road.

The description of the suspect reported by the student is an African American Male, 20 to 25 year old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, slender, 140- 160 lbs, with a mole on his right hand by the ring finger. When he was last seen he was wearing a red and white polo shirt and baggy jeans. We will post a composite picture of the suspect tomorrow on the Public Safety web site. Updates will be posted to our web site if we develop any new information.

Public Safety is asking for assistance from the community to identify this individual. Anyone who was in the area of Blanchard last night or has information about this crime should contact Public Safety at 538-2304. Officers are on duty 24 hours a day to respond to community concerns. If you need support call Counseling Services at 538-2037. Working together we can keep the community safe. This Public Safety alert is provided in compliance with the Clery Law.

Car Break-Ins

Recently, there have been vehicles broken into in campus parking lots and items left in the vehicles were stolen, specifically GPS devices.

Thieves are generally looking for items easy to grab that they can see through a car window. Please do not leave any items of value or potential value in the passenger area of your vehicle, especially music devices, GPS units, money, and other easy-to-remove items. If such items must be left in your car, lock them in the trunk where they are less likely to be seen.

When parking your car, call Public Safety at x1-911 or utilize an emergency phone if you see anyone suspicious. Suspicious behavior includes someone 'hanging out' in the lot, someone sitting in a car for a length of time, someone looking into vehicles, or someone you just feel seems out of place.

Public Safety has increased patrols of campus parking lots and is checking with area police departments to see if other campuses and town departments have had any similar incidents and to share information.

Officers are on duty twenty-four (24) hours a day to respond to incidents and to give assistance. Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Working together we can keep the campus safe.

Please visit the Public Safety website at www.mtholyoke.edu/go/safety for more crime prevention tips.

Police Academy Graduation

Over the summer, Public Safety had two Officers complete the Massachusetts State Police Academy. When you see Officer Smith and Officer Ryan, please give them a nice welcome back and a hearty congratulations.

Officer Smith was happy to share her photos from graduation. If you were ever interested in seeing what a graduation would be like from the police academy, here is a small glance.

Color guard and cadets all lined up in formation

Officer Smith receiving her congrats from Chief Ominsky

All the cadets in formation

Officer Smith and Chief Ominsky after the ceremony

Chief Ominsky, Officer Smith, Officer Ryan and Associate Director Arrighi after the ceremony

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to all of those who are returning to campus! Also, Welcome to Mount Holyoke College to those who will be here for the first time this academic year!

We are all excited to have a new academic year upon us. Please take the time to review all of Public Safety's safety tips, view the upcoming list of events and everything else you may want to check out on the blog or the website.

Again, we are excited to have everyone on campus and good luck to everyone!

New Addition!

Introducing, the new cruiser (Ford Taurus). It is replacing the Crown Vic cruiser.

Be Safe!

Its that time of year, you are getting your travel plans all set to head back to campus. There are many ways to get to MHC, but make sure you are safe while traveling.

Here are some links to help with your travel-

Student & Youth Travel Tips

TSA Tips

International Travel Tips

See you all soon!