BY TRAVIS WALTERS
Security has made few changes since last year that returning students should be aware of. Jeff Smith, security manager at SCAD, said, “[We] expanded the rovers, GEM Cars, we purchased a few more of those.” They’ll be patrolling the area around Indian Street, the whole MLK Corridor, and around the Montgomery, Barnard, Gulf Stream Center area. Security already patrols all day, every day, around SCAD buildings. “The GEM Cars are more noticeable”, said Smith. “They also fit in with our escort program.” If you’re working late at Hamilton Hall, and you’ve parked on Fahm and don’t want to walk in the dark, let the securty officer know and they will call one of the patrols to drive you to your car.
According the the 2006 Clery Report there were 35 instances of burglary and robbery on-campus at SCAD. “Art supplies and small electronic devices are the most frequently stolen,” said Smith. Bikes are also occasionally stolen and to that end SCAD security offers a bicycle registration program called Operation Chain Guard, which gives each bicycle a number and sticker that allows the bicycle to be returned to you if it’s recovered. Take your bike to the security office at 345 Bull St. to register it.
Security continues to send alerts through the colleges Connect-ED network in the event of an emergency and posts other alerts through MySCAD. District publishes the weekly security log in each issue, letting students know what happened and where. This information is also available at scad.edu/security. To report an incident call security at 912-525-4500. SCAD also works with College Crimestoppers which gives students the ability to report criminal activity and access safety information by calling 912-234-2020.
Security also continues to offer awareness programs throughout the year and a women’s self defense program called Rape Aggression Defense Systems, or R.A.D. Information on the R.A.D. program can be obtained at rad-systems.com. To sign up for this program, or any other awareness class, or for general information, call security at 912-525-4500. If you’re ever without access to a phone security can also be reached all day, every day, through one of the many blue security phones positioned around SCAD buildings.
There were also 21 instances of burglary and robbery of SCAD students on public property in 2006 according to the Clery Report. If something you own is stolen SCAD Security should be notified. If you live off campus call the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police at 912-651-6675. The SCMPD Web site, scmpd.org, has many useful resources such as; crime prevention safety tips, bicycle registration, and free home safety inspections. The SCMP has also created a mapping tool available at metrocrimemaps.org. With this tool a user can enter an address and date to see various types of crime committed within 5 miles or less of that address. The site also contains weekly crime data reports, and annual neighborhood statistics. SCAD security works closely with the SCMPD, but to report an emergency call 9-1-1 first and SCAD security second.
