USU provides crime alerts (timely warnings) to students, staff, and faculty when there is a potentially dangerous criminal situation that poses a serious or ongoing threat to our campus community so people can take steps to protect themselves. Crime alerts serve as timely warning notices required by the federal Clery Act.
Conditions for a Crime Alert
Crime alerts are sent in compliance with the federal Clery Act, a consumer protection law that aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics. Alerts are sent out as soon as possible for specific crimes listed in the Clery Act that:
- are reported to the campus police (or a campus security authority),
- occur on campus (as defined by the Clery Act) and
- considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.
USU issues crime alerts as soon as pertinent information is available that points to a serious or ongoing threat to campus safety, as required by law.
Crime Alerts Sent on Case by Case Basis
USU Police decides if or when to send a crime alert on a case-by-case basis using USU's campus alert decision matrix. In determining whether or not there is a serious or continuing threat to the campus community, USU considers a number of factors:
- Did the incident occur within the last 30 days? Delayed reporting may make a warning no longer necessary.
- Is the suspect in custody?
- Does the suspect have prior arrests or a history of violent behavior?
- Did the incident involve violence or a weapon?
- Does the incident appear to be an isolated incident?
- Did the suspect use a date rape drug or other intoxicants?
- Was the victim under the age of 18?
Content of a Crime Alert
Crime alets/timely warnings are intended to enable members of the campus community to protect themselves and contain information that helps promote safety and the prevention of similar crimes. This could include bystander intervention tips and risk reduction measures people can take to help lower their risk of being targetted for a crime.
Why do crime alerts sometimes contain little information about a crime?
Crime alerts (timely warning notices) provide information about the crime that triggered the warning, but will not contain identifying information about a victim. For example, if a crime occurred in on-campus housing, the crime alert may not include the specific residence hall location in order to protect the identity of the victim. Crime alerts also typically will not include information that could compromise law enforcements efforts, such as the steps police are taking to solve the crime or locate a suspect.
Why does USU send a crime alert when there isn't a police investigation?
USU Public Safety coordinates the university's compliance with the Clery Act, which includes issuing crime alerts (timely warning notices). Crimes are reported to USU through various offices, which then must report "Clery Crimes" to USU Public Safety. Each time a report is received, USU Public Safety must evaluate if there is an ongoing threat on campus. Some crimes are reported anonymously and without the name of a victim. Sometimes an individual reports a crime they were told about, but the victim does not feel ready to be involved in an investigation. This is not uncommon for victims of sexual violence. In these cases, we honor the choices of victims, but USU may still have a duty to warn the community about a serious or ongoing threat. Victims are provided with information about seeking confidential advocacy or counseling as well as reporting to the university.
Why are crime alerts sent for crimes that are reported as occurring in a fraternity or sorority house?
Although fraternities and sororities are private houses not owned by USU, they are ran by student organizations recognized by USU. Under the Clery Act, these houses are considered part of USU's "Clery Geography," and the university has a duty to send timely warnings about crimes that are alleged to have occurred there.
Where can victims of crime seek help?
USU offers confidential advocacy and counseling for victims of relationship and interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, at the SAAVI office. This office is open to all students and employees. Confidential counseling is also available for students through CAPS. Learn more about these and other resources at Sexual Misconduct Prevention website.
How else can I learn about crimes on campus?
USU publishes an annual security report that contains crime statistics for the previous year and policies and procedures for reporting crimes and seeking services.
Why don't I receive any follow-up information about the crime?
You may receive a follow-up email about the apprehension of a suspect, but in the case of an ongoing investigation, there may be no information that can be released to the public. In the case of a university investigation into student misconduct, federal law protects the privacy of the individuals involved, and this information is not publicly available.
In some cases, there may not be an investigation by law enforcement or the university. The university sometimes receives reports without the name of a victim, and in some cases, the identity of a suspect is not disclosed to the university or to police. In these cases, there would be no arrest and no follow up, but the university still has a duty to warn about the crime.
I don't want to receive crime alerts. Can I unsubscribe?
The Clery Act requires that we send crime alerts (timely warnings) in a way that is reasonably likely to reach the entire campus community. USU does this via the alert notification system, which includes text, email, and Utah State Safe app notifications. All "usu.edu" email addresses or email addresses marked as "preferred" are automatically sent all campus alerts and cannot be unsubscribed.