Crime Statistics Availability
A copy of the State University of New York at Purchase College campus crime statistics, as reported annually to the U.S. Department of Education, will be provided upon request by the campus Personal Safety Committee. Please direct all such requests to the Office of Student Affairs, (914) 251-6030, and/or University Police, (914) 251-6900.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

Campus contact persons:
Chief Joseph Olenik - (914) 251-6061
Inspector Cindy Markus-Jones - (914) 251-5993

Bi-Annual Crime Statistics for Purchase College

The University Police enforce all laws regulating underage drinking, the use of controlled substances and weapons. Firearms and dangerous weapons of any type are not permitted on college property. Intentional use, possession, or sale of firearms by anyone is strictly forbidden and is in violation of N.Y.S. law, as well as Purchase College rules and regulations.

POLICY FOR REPORTS OF VIOLENT FELONY CRIMES

----- UPD protocol in regards to a report of a violent felony crime. In any case of a violent felony reported to the University Police Department, the desk officer on duty will immediately dispatch an officer to assist the victim. The desk officer on duty will then promptly notify a Lieutenant, or the Investigator, or the Officer in Charge, or the Supervising Officer and the Chief of Police/or his designee.

The crime victim should be provided support services as needed. Transport of the crime victim is to be arranged by a representative of this department. If the victim has expressed a desire to press criminal charges, the person accompanying the victim must be a sworn officer.

 In addition to providing for the immediate needs (medical / counseling) of the victim, a basic interview must take place in an effort to ascertain the nature of the crime. It is extremely critical to the safety of the entire campus if a crime has taken place and the perpetrator is at large or unidentified. In all sex related crimes, the collection of evidence is of critical importance. The crime scene will be secured and proper investigation measures implemented. The appropriate police agencies (i.e. New York State Police BCI or the Westchester County PD) will be summoned to assist in the investigation and evidence collection process if need be. The appropriate teletype message will be broadcast to area police agencies.

Injured victims should be advised of counseling and support services available. The victim may decline those services, and that decision will be honored. Injured crime victims are to be transported to the Westchester Medical Center, White Plains Hospital or to a hospital designated by E.M.S.

 Press information will be tightly controlled and coordinated through Public Relations and the Chief of Police. Guidelines for the news release policy will be followed. At no time will any member of the department, unless specifically directed, comment on an ongoing investigation.

Interviews of Victims:  All victims of violent felony crimes will be interviewed in as private a setting as possible. The term "private setting" shall be determined as a closed room from which the occupants are not visible or otherwise identifiable, and whose conversations cannot be heard from outside such room. Only those persons directly related to the interview should be present. This would include; the investigating officer, the victim and a support person. The support person, who should be present, may include; a rape crises counselor, Purchase College peer advocate, a psychologist, a social worker or other professional providing emotional support. If a parent or parents are requested, that request will be honored.

If the victim should object to any of the above and requests their exclusion from the interview or the entire process, that request will also be honored and documented.

All victims of a violent felony will be given the name, address and telephone number of the Westchester County Victim's Assistance Helpline.

BIAS CRIMES PREVENTION

Hate or Bias-Related Crimes and the Law

It is a State University of New York at Purchase College Police mandate to protect all members of the Purchase College campus community by preventing and prosecuting bias or hate crimes that occur within the campus's jurisdiction.

Hate crimes, also called bias crimes or bias-related crimes, are criminal activity motivated by the perpetrator's bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.  Hate/bias crimes have received renewed attention in recent years, particularly since the passage of the federal Hate/Bias Crime reporting Act of 1990 and the New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000 (Penal Law Article 485).  Copies of the New York law are available from University Police, Student Affairs and through the following link: 

Hate or Bias-Related Incidents

In addition to preventing and prosecuting hate/bias crimes, State University of New York at Purchase College Police also assist in addressing bias-related activities that do not rise to the level of a crime.  These activities, referred to as bias incidents and defined by the University as acts of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation directed at a member or group within the Purchase College campus community based on national origin, ethnicity, race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, color, creed, or marital status, may be addressed through the State University's Discrimination Complaint Procedure or the campus conduct code.  Hate/Bias crimes are against both the law and Purchase College policy.  Bias incidents can be reported to University Police as well as to the Affirmative Action Office.

Penalties

Penalties for bias-related crimes are very serious and range from fines to imprisonment for lengthy periods, depending on the nature of the underlying criminal offense, the use of violence or previous convictions of the offender. Perpetrators who are students will also be subject to campus disciplinary procedures where sanctions may include Disciplinary Probation, Suspension or Dismissal from the University.

How to make a Formal Complaint

If you are a victim of, or witness to, a hate/bias-related crime on campus, report it to University Police by calling 911 or 251-6911 in an emergency or 251-6900 for general reporting, using a Blue Light or other campus emergency telephone, calling the Safe Campus Incident Reporting Hotline at 251-6868, or stopping by University Police or Student Affairs Offices.  University Police will investigate and follow the appropriate adjudication procedures.

Support Services and other Resources

Victims of bias crime or bias incidents can avail themselves of counseling and support services from the campus as follows: 

+Counseling Center: 251-6390 

+Student Affairs: 251-6030

+Student Health Services: 251-6380

+Safe Campus Incident Reporting Hotline: 251-6868

+Health and Peer Education: 251-6657

+Purchase College Peer Advocacy Services: 251-5911

+Westchester County Victims Assistance Services: (914) 345-3113

+Westchester County Rape Crisis 24 Hour Helpline: (914) 345-9111

+New York State 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotlines: 1-800-942-6906

For general information on Purchase College campus security procedures, see the Student Handbook, or call  University Police (914) 251-6900.

More information about bias-related and bias crimes, including up-to-date statistics on bias crimes is available from:

Cindy Markus-Jones University Police Inspector                                                            Community Education and Policing (914) 251-5993 cindy.markus@purchase.edu