Campus Security & Public Safety

With Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks fast approaching, students need to be thoughtful about leaving residences unoccupied for extended periods of time. For off-campus students in particular, forward planning and preparations are crucial!

Get your residence checked over break!

If you would like your home checked while you are away on break, the Spokane Police Department Senior Volunteers offers a home check service for free. All doors and windows are physically checked including any out-buildings on your property. For more information or to sign up for the service please call (509)622-5885. *Please note this program does not extend to multi-resident style complexes (homes with several apartments) or apartment style buildings, please contact Campus Security at 509-313-2222 to discuss other available options.

Let trusted neighbors or friends know you are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on your place.

Leave exterior lights on. Lock all gates, doors and windows. Close all curtains.

Residence Hall Patrols

All campus owned Resident Halls will be checked by campus Security throughout Thanksgiving break, November 26 through November 30 and Christmas Holiday break, December 20 through  January 11, 2015.

Vehicles

September 9
A student reported a bike theft from Herak bike rack. The bike had not been properly secured.

September 9
A student reported a bike theft from Catherine Monica. The bike was not locked with any type of lock.

September 6
A student reported a bike theft from Roncalli. The bike had been secured with a cable lock.

September 6
A student reported a bike theft from Madonna. The bike had been secured with a cable lock.

September 4
A student reported reported an attempted to motor vehicle theft from the Dussault parking lot.

August 30
A student reported a bike theft from the Coughlin parking garage. The bike had been secured with a cable lock.

August 30
A student reported a bike theft from Corkery. The bike had been secured with a cable lock.

For more details please go to the below link:

http://www.khq.com/story/25600297/alert-16-centennial-trail-vehicle-prowlings-in-past-week

A Gonzaga staff member reported today, January 21, 2014 that over the weekend, a person entered a University-owned administrative building in the 500 block of East Boone, and removed personal and University-owned property. The intruder gained access through the main office door; there were no signs of forced entry.  GU Security was notified at the time of discovery. Spokane Police Department responded and obtained a copy of the security video of the incident.    

Here are some important steps you can take to help protect your property:

* Ensure doors and windows are locked. With older doors, ensure the door has completely latched. 

* As reminder valuables should be locked away when an office area is unoccupied.

* Report all crimes immediately to 911.

* Report suspicious persons and activities immediately to 911.

If you encounter a subject in your residence or work space, do not attempt to confront them. Go to a safe place and call 911.

Please notify Campus Security of such incidents as soon as possible so that others in the community can be alerted.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks fast approaching, students need to be thoughtful about leaving residences unoccupied for extended periods of time.  For off-campus students in particular, forward planning and preparations are crucial! 

 Get your residence checked over break!

If you would like your home checked while you are away on break, the Spokane Police Department Senior Volunteers offer this service.  Services are provided Monday through Friday for up to 30 days. All doors and windows are physically checked including any out-buildings on your property. Call the Vacation Home Check Information line at (509)622-5885 if you are interested in having this service provided to you.

 Let trusted neighbors or friends know you are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on your place.

 Leave exterior lights on. Lock all gates, doors and windows. Close all curtains.

 Vehicles

If you live off-campus, you may want to park your car on campus over holiday breaks. The City of Spokane only allows parking on the street for up to twelve hours at a time.  Additionally, your car may be towed or blocked in by snowplows in the event of a snowstorm.  Consider utilizing the free parking program offered by Campus Public Safety and Security (CPS&S) at the Boone/Van Gorp parking lot.  No permit is required but you must sign up at the CPS&S office located in lower Welch hall.  Parking is limited to the Green Lot and is available on a first-come first-served basis.  This service will run from November 27 to December 1 for Thanksgiving break and December 18 to January 14 for Christmas break.  Campus Security is not responsible for any damage or theft to vehicles if you choose to utilize this program. Remember to lock your vehicle and remove all valuables that may attract unwanted attention.

 Mail & Packages

If you will be gone more than two to three days, make arrangements to have your mail and newspaper deliveries stopped or picked up by a trusted neighbor or friend.

 Whether you live on campus or off, you may rent a mailbox from the Gonzaga Mail Room for $35.00 per school year.  Currently, mailbox rentals are available for $20.00 for the rest of the school year.  With a mailbox through Gonzaga, you can have packages delivered to the secure mail room.

 The United States Parcel Service offers the following service if you will be away from your off-campus residence for any period of time: https://holdmail.usps.com/duns/HoldMail.jsp

 Holiday Break Security Tips!

Check out holiday break security tips, and some great winter travel tips & links at

http://www.gonzaga.edu/Campus-Resources/Offices-and-Services-A-Z/MarketingandCommunications/News-Services/EmergencyPreparedness/holiday-security-tips.asp

• Holiday break security tips for off-campus residents

Mobile users click here to view the slideshow:http://tinyurl.com/l5zg7yg

KHQ.COM – On 11/22/13 repeat offender Daniel Sukin was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Heroin). Spokane Police obtained information that Sukin had several storage units with stolen property inside.

Over the weekend, Spokane Police Patrol Anti-Crime Team (P.A.C.T) executed several search warrants at the storage units believed to house the stolen property.

Tens of thousands of dollars worth of items were recovered from inside the units, including bikes, power tools, painting supplies, and numerous other items (pictured in the link below).

Some of the items inside the storage unit were verified to have been stolen and a new charge for Sukin (Possession of Stolen Property) was forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutors Office last night.

Spokane Police are asking for citizens to view photos of the stolen property and call Crime Check at 456-2233 to claim items.

Since September 21, 2013 students have reported 11 bike thefts. All of which were secured to bike racks at various locations on campus. Of the eleven, two were secured with U-locks while the remaining nine were secured with cable style locks.

Three Vehicle Prowls were reported during the same time period all of which occurred on campus. Community members are reminded to never leave anything out in plain sight.  I.e., backpacks, duffle bags, clothes, laptop cases, and electronic cables.

A student reported that a window was broken in an apparent attempt to enter a ground floor apartment at Sinto Apartments in the 200 block of East Sinto yesterday between 2PM and 3:30 PM. A person of interest, described as a Hispanic male, mid-20’s, thin build, short hair, wearing a plaid long sleeve shirt, was seen in the area prior to the incident. No actual entry to the apartment was made, and no items were taken.

Campo reminds you…loading your car the night before you leave is NOT a good idea. DON”T provide thieves an easy opportunity to steal your stuff!

Every year about this time, we receive reports of individuals soliciting magazine sales at residence halls on campus, and at residences in the surrounding neighborhood. In the past, these individuals have sometimes gained access to residence halls and apartments by “tailgating” behind a student who is entering. These individuals DO NOT have permission to enter Gonzaga residences, and/or solicit on the Gonzaga campus. If you see them anywhere on campus, please contact GU Security immediately at 313-2222.

An important reminder: you should NEVER allow access to your residence hall to anyone who is not a resident, an authorized staff member (who should be able to provide GU identification) or accompanied by a resident or authorized staff member.

A recent incident at Seattle University’s law school had some members of a class a bit shaken up: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Belligerent-intruder-barges-into-Seattle-University-law-class-195806601.html

What would you do in a similar situation? Gonzaga Security recommends these basic steps to protect yourself and others:

• Stay calm. Part of staying calm is envisioning and planning – in advance – what you would do in a situation like this.
• Get to a safe place. If you can’t get to a safe place, be prepared to defend yourself until help arrives.
• Call 911; and then campus security at 509-313-2222. Be prepared to provide detailed information to the dispatcher.

A response time of 1-2 minutes by campus security is not unusual. We’ll do our best to respond quickly, but safely. In a serious incident on campus, law enforcement is usually on scene in 3-5 minutes.

For more information on the steps to take when you are confronted with a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation, check out Gonzaga’s Emergency Guidelines   and active shooter information.

Gonzaga Security also offers facilitated training sessions tailored to specific workplace and academic settings. For more information, contact  Community Education at 509-313-3996.

Going to the WCC tourney? Follow these safety & security tips from Las Vegas Metro PD:

1. When your luggage is in your possession, treat it as if it were GOLD. Never leave these items unattended.
2. Carry travelers checks, instead of large amounts of cash. Only carry what you will need for the day (or evening). Leave all your valuables,such as credit cards, jewelry or airline tickets, in the room safe. Write down your traveler check and credit card numbers and place this information in your room safe.
3. Be alert. If you are in a crowded area, carry your purse (wallet)close to you and keep a firm grip on it. Do not leave purses (handbags or cameras) on the back of chairs, under tables or restroom hooks.
4. Keep track of your hotel key. You may want to return your key to the front desk while you are out. Close you hotel room securely, even if you are going for ice. Ask a security officer to escort you to your room if you have lost your key.
5. Use automatic teller machines in well-lighted areas of the hotel you are staying in. Walk in pairs or groups whenever possible.
6. Make sure your family or friends have contact numbers for you while you are in the Las Vegas area. Keep in touch with them and tell them where you are going.
7. Look for the VIVA patrol if you need directions or other assistance.The VIVA Patrol (Visitor Information, Visitor Assistance) is part of the LVMPD*s volunteer program. VIVA members wear bright yellow shirts with the VIVA logo as well as caps and can be found walking in pairs along the Strip, Fremont Street and McCarran International Airport.
8. Stay alert and trust your instincts. If you see suspicious people loitering near your hotel room or auto do not approach or confront them . Report any suspicious activity to the hotel, a police officer, a security officer, or hotel staff member immediately.
9. In crowded areas or in situations where crowds are expected (such as show lines, buffet area, bus stop, baggage carousel ect.) be aware of your valuables. Keep your purse or luggage close to your body. In situations as these, it may be wise to carry any monies in your front pocket or use a secured “fanny pack.”

Last Friday evening at 6:30 PM, a student walking on Sharp Avenue near Addison was inappropriately touched by male subject who had walked up behind her. The student responded by yelling, retreating to a safe place, and calling Spokane Police and Campus Security immediately. Spokane Police quickly located and detained the 21 year old non-student. After being identified by the student, he was booked into jail for Assault with Sexual Motivation. Kudos to the student for handling this situation perfectly and to the Spokane Police for a quick response!

Gonzaga community members are reminded of the following safety tips:

• If you have to walk, do so in groups especially after dark. Try to use well-lit, busy routes. Be aware of your surroundings.
• Utilize Saferide or taxi service if you need a ride back to your residence from an off-campus location: call 568-8000.
• Utilize Security escorts to travel across campus: 313-2222.
• Report suspicious persons or circumstances immediately to GU Security (313-2222) or SPD (911).
• Once you are in safe place, report all crimes immediately to police at 911 and GU Security at 313-2222.

We see very little in the way of violent crime on the Gonzaga campus, but it can happen. To help prepare all of our Gonzaga community members for “active shooter” situations – which can happen anywhere – we offer both individualized and on-line training. Gonzaga staff, faculty, and students can visit our “Active Shooter” webpage and view a short video to prepare themselves for these rare, but dangerous, situations. We also ask all staff, faculty, and students to sign up for “ZagAlert” to receive emergency notices during significant events where an on-going threat is identified.

An alert Spokane resident saw a suspicious vehicle this morning in the area of 500 E Mission. The resident saw the red 1997 Subaru circling the block near their home. The resident gave dispatchers the license plate number, and it turned out the Subaru was reported stolen at about 6:30 AM from the NW side of the city.

Spokane police responded to the area rather quickly and did find the car as it pulled up to a convenience store at Ermina and Hamilton. Officer Ryan Snider and Susannah Wilson contacted the driver, 21 year old Cody Wolfley as he attempted to enter the store. As the officers were detaining Wolfley, a second suspect appeared in the Subaru and attempted to back out of the parking lot. When the vehicle backed out, it struck a patrol car, causing no damage. He too was quickly detained in the Subaru. He was identified as 31 year old Ace Harris. Both Wolfly and Harris had outstanding warrants and extensive histories in property crimes. Inside the car officers found numerous shaved keys and items that may have been taken in vehicle prowlings.

Harris and Wolfley were booked into the Spokane County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle. Spokane Police often get great tips from residents. As in this case, the tip turned into felony property arrests and removed subjects like this off the streets. It is encouraged for citizens to call police or Crime Check when they see activity in their neighborhood that seems odd or unfamiliar.

If you go to a costume party, go with a group of friends you know and trust.

• Always carry a photo ID, and make sure your friends carry identification and phone numbers with them in case they become incapacitated for any reason.
• Consider your costume, and avoid wearing one that inhibits your ability to see and move freely. Use special caution when crossing the street, and be sure motorists see you before you cross.
• Some people who want to cause harm may take advantage of being unrecognizable in a Halloween costume.  Stay in an environment where you can easily get help or move away from someone who is threatening your safety.  Be aware of your surroundings.
• If you are intoxicated, your impaired judgment places you at a much greater risk for injury, unwanted sexual contact, or a police citation. Set a drink limit for yourself and stick to it. (Or plan not to drink alcohol at all.)
• If you accept a beverage from someone, make sure that you know the individual, you have observed the drink being prepared, and you never leave it unattended. Exercise caution in any public setting with any beverage.
• Make a plan to get home safely. If you have no other safe option, you can utilize GSBA Saferide for rides back to your on-campus or near-campus residence.  568-8000. Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for cabs, so please be prepared to wait for your ride.

If you plan to host a social gathering, please visit the Gonzaga Off-Campus Living guide at: http://www.gonzaga.edu/Student-Life/Off-Campus-Living/Docs-and-Pics/OffCampusGuide1.pdf .  You’ll find some great tips for safely hosting guests and a social gathering on pages 16-19.

Thanks to some attentive Gonzaga students who quickly notified Spokane Police and Campus Security, two separate subjects were contacted, identified, and trespassed from the area. Residents in the 900 block of East Augusta called at about 9:30 PM to report a suspicious person in the backyard of their residence. SPD and Campus Security quickly contacted a person matching his description in the 900 block of East Indiana. Then, at about 10:00 PM, residents in 1000 block of East Sinto called to report a suspicious person in the backyard of their residence. SPD and Campus Security searched the area, but did not find the subject. The residents called again at 11:30 PM to report the same subject was back. SPD and Campus Security again responded and located a person matching the description walking near the area. Both subjects were white males, 33 and 50 years of age, wearing dark clothing. At least one of the subjects had been previously arrested for burglary and trafficing stolen property.

Here are some easy steps you can take to help protect your property:

* Lock your doors and windows. Keep curtains & blinds closed.

* Make sure all of your exterior lights are working.

* Report all crimes immediately. 911.

* Report suspicious persons and activities immediately. 911.

If you encounter a subject in your residence, do not attempt to confront them. Go to a safe place and call 911.

Passionate about security & safety on campus? Here’s your chance to join campus representatives as we walk and talk our way around campus, looking at everything from lighting to pedestrian safety. Meet us Wednesday, October 10th at 5:30 PM on the front steps of Crosby Student Center.