Clery Reports FAQ

"Crime Alerts" are issued in compliance with the "Timely Warning" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Clery Act requires that campuses include the Clery crime category in the warning. Campuses must issues the notification as soon as the pertinent information is available, even if not all of the facts are known (such as exact location or time of occurance).

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”), 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f), Saint Mary’s College issues timely warning notifications to alert the campus community to Clery Act crimes that the College determines to represent a serious and ongoing threat to the campus. The College may distribute timely warning notifications using a variety of means, including emails, Gael Safe messages, and website announcements.

A "Timely Warning" is required when:

• a Clery crime is reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies; and
• is considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. In the case of crimes against people, if the suspect has not been arrested, the standard is that the threat still exists.

Clery crimes include the following:

• Murder/Non-Negligent/Negligent Manslaughter
• Aggravated Assault
• Rape
• Forcible Fondling
• Robbery
• Domestic Violence
• Dating Violence
• Stalking
• Hate Crimes (including theft and vandalism)
• Motor Vehicle Thefts
• Arson
• Burglary

To report an incident that may warrant the issuing of a timely warning notification, immediately contact Campus Safety at (925) 631-4282.

Timely warning notifications are issued on a case-by-case basis for Clery Act crimes reported to Campus Campus Safety, Campus Security Authorities, or local police agencies that pose a "serious and ongoing threat” to students and employees on campus or in the immediate campus area. In deciding whether to issue a timely warning notification, the College considers all of the factssurrounding the incident such as the nature of the crime, the continuing danger to the campuscommunity, and the possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts. Incidents that may result in issuing a timely warning notification include the following Clery Act crimes:

• Criminal Homicide, including Murder, Non-negligent Manslaughter and Manslaughter by Negligence; Sexual Assault, including Rape, Fondling, Incest and Statutory Rape; Robbery; Aggravated Assault; Burglary; Motor Vehicle Theft; and Arson.
• Hate Crimes include any of the above mentioned criminal offenses and any incidents of Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, or Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property that were motivated by bias.
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Offenses include incidents of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking;
• Arrests and Referrals for Weapons Law, Liquor Law and Drug Law violations.

A Timely Warning will be issued as soon as pertinent information is available and within a reasonable amount of time.

All decisions on whether or not a Timely Warning is issued shall be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the facts surrounding a crime including:

• The nature of the crime.
• The continuing danger or threat to the campus community.
• The amount of time that has elapsed between the occurrence and report.
• Whether the identity of the offender(s) is known.
• The possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts.

The decision to issue a Campus Timely Warning Notice is made in coordination and consultation by the Vice Provost for Student Life and representatives from Student Life.  The Executive Director of Campus Campus Safety or their designee is responsible for preparing and distributing timely warning reports. Campus Campus Safety may be reached at (925)631-4282.

In most instances, the timely warning will be issued through the College’s email system to students, faculty and staff. Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime or threat, Campus Campus Safety may also notify the campus community through Gael Safe messages, fliers posted at residence halls, academic buildings, and/or announcements posted on the College Campus Safety website at:https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/public-safety.

The intent of a timely warning notification is to enable members of the campus community to protect themselves. A timely warning will include information that promotes safety and aids in the prevention of similar crimes, such as the following information:

• A brief statement of the incident
• Possible connection to other incidents, if applicable
• Physical description of any suspect(s), if available
• Photo or composite drawing of any suspect(s), if available
• Date and time of the incident
• Other relevant information

Anyone with information about a Clery Act crime or other serious incident should report the circumstances to Campus Campus Safety, by phone at (925) 631-4282 or in person at Campus Campus Safety in Assumption Hall.  To report a crime or an emergency off-campus, dial 911. You may also use the emergency “blue light” phones stationed around campus.

If the victim of or witness to a crime does not want to pursue action within the College system or the criminal justice system, they may still want to consider making a confidential report.  The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with wishes to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of the individual and others. With such information, the College can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the College’s annual crime statistics and may result in a timely warning notification.

Please contact the Campus Safety office at (925) 631-4282 or psadmin@stmarys-ca.edu if you know any information about a crime investigation.