Safety At School

The Campus Public Safety Department at Southwest School of Art provides security information, assistance and service to aid and protect SSA constituents.  Patrol officers are at work throughout each day to observe, detect and prevent crimes and threats on the campus and its adjacent areas.  More information can be found in the Catalog and Student Handbook.

EMPOWERMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SSA Campus Public Safety personnel are not police officers and are not empowered as such.  The Campus Public Safety Department does have the jurisdiction to report and enforce Southwest School of Art policies, parking regulations, and traffic enforcement on the School's property.  Campus Public Safety personnel also have the authority to detain, but they do not have the authority to make arrests.

Southwest School of Art maintains a good standing relationship with the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department.  The San Antonio Police Department, with cooperation and assistance of the SSA Campus Public Safety Department provides full law enforcement capabilities, including the investigation of crimes and the power to make arrests, as necessary.

All criminal acts reported to the Campus Public Safety Department at SSA are reported to the local police jurisdiction.  At the discretion of the local police jurisdiction, and in coordination with the Campus Public Safety Department, further investigation may result. Typically, the SSA Campus Public Safety Department leads on-campus investigations related to student, faculty or staff disciplinary action to support of local law enforcement goals.

CRIME PREVENTION SAFETY TIPS

Personal Safety

• Use Common Sense.
• Be aware of your environment.
• If you see something, say something.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Walk at a steady pace with confidence on the side of the street facing traffic.
• Walk close to the curb and avoid concealed areas; stay in public view.
• Wear clothing and shoes that provide freedom to move.
• Walk with a buddy or friend, especially at night.
• Be cautious when people (strangers) stop to talk to you.
• If you are in danger, be loud, make noise, and don’t stop. Scream and yell for help.
• Try to maintain slow and steady breaths, evaluate your options and resources, then take action.
• If you are ever attacked, find a safe place and immediately contact the police at 911. The faster a report is made the greater chance the attacker will be captured.
• Always be prepared and have a survivor’s mindset. For information on preparing a personal comprehensive safety strategy, visit www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide.

Vehicle Safety

• Use common sense.
• Secure your vehicle by locking all doors, closing all windows, and taking your keys with you.
• Never hide a spare set of keys on your vehicle.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• If you have one, assure that your anti-theft device is activated.
• Push or fold your passenger seat forward when you leave your car.
• Have your keys in-hand when returning to your vehicle.

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY/INCIDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

It is imperative that all security and safety incidents occurring on the SSA campus, or within the vicinity of the SSA campus be reported to the appropriate SSA personnel (in order of priority):

• Campus Public Safety Department Staff
• Campus Security Authorities (CSA)
• Student Affairs Staff
• Any SSA Faculty member or other SSA staff member

If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within SSA or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the Chief of Campus Public Safety can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity.

WEAPONS POLICY

This weapons policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff members of Southwest School of Art who are not sworn law enforcement officers, as well as individuals visiting, passing through, or conducting business on our Campus , or other owned, leased, or controlled property.

SSA prohibits the possession of firearms or any other lethal weapon and some less-than-lethal-weapons on SSA property, in a vehicle being used on SSA business, in any owned or leased parking facility, or at a work-related function. This applies to all employees, visitors and students on SSA property, even those who are licensed to carry weapons. Only an employee who is required to possess weapons in the fulfillment of official duties is exempt from the weapons policy.

Some examples of prohibited weapons include:

• Firearms (Pistols, Revolvers, Shotguns, and Rifles)
• Knives (Switchblades, Gravity knives or any Knife with a blade longer than three inches)
• Metal knuckles
• Bows and arrows
• TASERS, Stun Guns, Electronic Control Devices
• BB or Pellet Guns

Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination.  Campus Public Safety personnel are directed to enforce this policy promptly and diligently.

CLERY ACT REQUIREMENTS

The Jeanne Clery Act requires Southwest School of Art to gather statistical data about offenses in areas contiguous to the SSA campus. For the purposes of the Clery Act, attempts are classified as offenses. Offenses include:

• Criminal Homicide
  1. Murder & Non-negligent manslaughter
  2. Negligent manslaughter
• Sexual Assault
  1. Rape
  2. Fondling
  3. Incest
  4. Statutory Rape
• Robbery
• Aggravated Assault
• Burglary
• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Arson
• Domestic Violence
• Dating Violence
• Stalking

SSA must also report statistics for the following categories of arrest or referrals for disciplinary action (if an arrest was not made):

• Liquor Law Violations
• Drug Law Violations
• Illegal Weapons Possession

Hate crimes must be reported by category of prejudice, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, and disability.

Statistics are also required for four additional crime categories if the crime committed is classified as a hate crime:

• Larceny/Theft
• Simple Assault
• Intimidation
• Destruction/Damage/Vandalism  of Property