Campus Police/Campus Security Department

Introduction

Gaston College is committed to providing a safe and secure campus and learning environment.  All members of the Campus Community are expected to exercise responsible judgment and conduct themselves in accordance with generally accepted standards.

Campus Police Department

Per N.C.G.S. 115D-21.1, Gaston College has a Campus Police Department comprised of both sworn Police Officers and non-sworn Security Officers. Campus Police Officers are armed and identified by their slate blue or white shirts and distinctive “Campus Police” shoulder patch and badge. Security Officers are unarmed and identified by their dark blue uniform shirts and distinctive “Campus Security” shoulder patch and badge.

Campus Police Officers have full police authority on College property, including College owned or leased property and any portion of a public road or highway passing through the property and immediately adjoining it.

When needed, the Campus Police Department works closely with other law enforcement agencies, including:

• NC State Bureau of Investigation
• NC Highway Patrol
• Gaston County Police (Dallas & Kimbrell Campus)
• Gaston County Sheriff’s Department (Dallas & Kimbrell Campus)
• Dallas Police Department (Dallas Campus)
• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (Lincoln Campus)
• Lincolnton Police (Lincoln Campus)
• Belmont Police (Kimbrell Campus)

Locations and Contact Information

Contact Numbers: 704.922.6480 or ext. 6480 from a College Network. Phone Calls after business hours may require several rings to transfer and connect.

Dallas Campus (Main Office)

Comer Engineering Technology Building

CET 122

Hours: Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lincoln Campus

Lincoln Classroom Building

LC 119

Hours vary

Kimbrell Campus

Kimbrell Campus Classroom Building

KCC 102

Hours vary

Photo Identification (ID)

Photo IDs are available for employees and curriculum students. There is no charge for the initial ID. Replacements are $10.00.Curriculum students must provide a current class schedule to receive an ID. A monthly schedule is published that lists specific dates, times and locations. IDs may be obtained at the following locations:

• Dallas Campus: Comer Engineering Technology Building (CET 207)
• Kimbrell Campus: Kimbrell Campus Classroom Building (KCC 102)
• Lincoln Campus: Lincoln Classroom Building (LC 119)

Lost and Found

Items that are left in classrooms and other areas of campus can be turned into one of the Campus Police Department locations on any campus. To report a lost item, please contact the Campus Police Department’s Main Office on the Dallas Campus at (704) 922-6480. Please be prepared to provide the following:

• Your contact information (name, phone number and e-mail address)
• Date and location the item was lost or last seen
• Description of the item (if it is a cell phone, please leave the number of the cell phone, the carrier and brand of the phone)

If your item has been located you will be contacted to arrange pick up. You will not be contacted if the item was not turned in. Property that remains unclaimed for 120 days will become the property of the College.

Emergency Notification System (GC Alert)

The Campus Emergency Notification System is available to all students and employees. The System is designed to notify subscribers of weather closings, crimes in progress, and other emergency situations. Notifications are sent via text message (mobile phone) and/or email.  Text message charges may apply and are the responsibility of the subscriber. To learn more about the Emergency Notification System and to subscribe, visit the GC Alert page on the College’s website (www.gaston.edu) or contact Campus Police at 704.922.6480.

Notification of Public Danger

In situations that are deemed to pose an immediate threat to the Campus Community, Campus Police will issue a notification or statement regarding the matter using various systems including:  College radio station, posting of notices and flyers, e-mail, GC Alert, and PA system.

Emergency Response Guide

The College publishes an Emergency Response Guide for dealing with various emergency situations. Emergency Response Guides are located in classrooms and other locations throughout each campus.

No Weapons Policy

It is a violation to possess or carry any weapon on College property including firearms, explosives, BB guns, stun guns, air rifles or pistols, sling shots, and knives or other sharp instruments. The only exceptions to this policy are for law enforcement and military personnel in the discharge of their official duties or as otherwise permitted by law, for ceremonial or educational purposes, or when tools such as knives are used for construction, maintenance, or food preparation.

Pursuant to G.S. 14-269, a person who has a concealed handgun permit in accordance with Article 54B, has a concealed handgun permit considered valid under G.S. 14-415.24, or is exempt from obtaining a permit pursuant to G.S. 14-415.25, is permitted to have a handgun provided it is in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked vehicle and the vehicle is parked in a College parking area. A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit, but the handgun must remain in the closed compartment at all times and the vehicle must be locked immediately following the entrance or exit.

Violators may be subject to criminal prosecution, and faculty, staff, or student violators may also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion and/or dismissal.

Traffic and Parking

Per N.C.G.S. 115D-21, all the provisions relating to the operation of motor vehicles, public or private, on NC highways, streets, roads, alleys and driveways of the College apply on a 24-hour basis, including any other rules and regulations approved by the College’s Board of Trustees. Additionally, an operator of any vehicle on College property is expected to follow the instructions of any campus police or security officer and all traffic signs. A copy of the Traffic and Parking Policy is available upon request. Failure to obtain such a copy is not an excuse for violation of the policy.

The responsibility of finding a legal parking space rests with the motor vehicle operator. Failure to find a legal parking space does not permit the violation of parking rules and regulations. If a vehicle is illegally or improperly parked, the driver of the vehicle will be notified as quickly as possible, which may include calling the student out of class. Repeat violations may result in the loss of driving privileges on the College campus.

Some of the common offenses include:

• Reckless driving
• Blocking or obstructing traffic, street, crosswalk, sidewalk, fire hydrant, building entrance or exit, or another vehicle properly parked
• Protruding into lane of traffic
• Double parking
• Parking on shoulder of road, except where parking is indicated by official signs
• Driving in excess of posted speed limits
• Failure to obey traffic signs
• Failure to obey directions of campus police or security officers
• Failure to yield right-of-way at pedestrian crossings
• Following too closely
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
• Operating a vehicle causing loud and unnecessary noise such as loud mufflers, horns, public address systems, stereo systems, and ultra-sensitive alarm systems
• Failure to yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles
• Operating or parking a vehicle in any manner that creates a safety hazard
• Leaving a vehicle on campus overnight without notifying campus police
• Parking, standing, or stopping so as to impede the flow of traffic
• Improper parking so that any portion of a vehicle is outside the marked limits of a parking space
• Parking in unauthorized areas such as those areas posted as visitor parking, faculty/staff parking, no parking, handicapped parking, loading zones, designated crosswalks, or areas other than those specified by the vehicle permit
• Parking trailers or boats on campus
• Passing moving vehicles going in the same direction
• Traffic accidents such as collision with another vehicle, a person, sign, or immovable object

Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents are to be reported immediately to the Campus Police Department. Unless a person(s) requires medical treatment, those involved in an accident are to remain at the scene of the accident until an investigation is complete.

Enforcement

Campus Police and/or Security Officers have at their discretion several enforcement options that can be used singularly or in combination including:

• Referral to Student Affairs
• Verbal warning
• Written citation
• Gaston College citation
• Initiating criminal charges by arrest or issuing a NC Uniform Citation under NC State law, which are adjudicated by the General Court of Justice through the criminal courts system

Fines and Penalties

Fines and/or penalties may be issued for violation of traffic and parking rules. The current fine amount for receiving a traffic or parking citation is $5.00 per violation. Fines are to be paid at the College’s Business Office within five (5) calendar days of the date issued or immediately following any appeals, as applicable. Unpaid fines will be added to a student’s financial account with the College.

Failure to pay fines may result in additional penalties; a hold on a student’s ability to register or re-enroll for classes, the withholding of grades, transcripts, degrees, diplomas, and/or certificates, graduation denial, revocation of parking privileges, and any of the provisions as detailed in the NC General Statutes. Additionally, the accumulation of three (3) or more citations for violation of parking and traffic rules during one term will subject a student to the College’s Student Code of Conduct.

Handicapped Parking

Handicap parking is available for those with disabilities. To park in handicap parking spaces, a person must have and properly display an officially issued handicap license plate or appropriate windshield placard. Handicapped parking placards and license plates are issued to individuals, not to vehicles. Using another person’s handicap placard or licensed vehicle is illegal.

Campus Police and Security routinely check the vehicle registration of those parking in handicap spaces to ensure compliance. Improper use of these handicap parking spaces is punishable by a maximum fine of $250.00, plus court costs.

Internal Appeal Process for College Citations

A student has the right to an internal appeal for receipt of a College citation or penalty in regards to parking and traffic rules. An appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee within five (5) days of the date the citation or penalty is issued. Appeal forms are available in the Campus Police Department. Decisions by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management are final. North Carolina Uniform Citations or arrests adjudicated by the General Court of Justice through the criminal courts system are not subject to an internal appeal.

Crime Incident Logs

The Campus Police & Security Department maintains a log of all crimes reported to the Department, which is available for viewing in the main office in the Comer Engineering Technologies building room 122 at the Dallas Campus, room 119 of the main building at the Lincoln Campus, and room 107 of the classroom building at the Kimbrell Campus.

Crime Prevention Tips

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  It is when you are least aware (e.g., during exams, illness, tired, etc.) that you are the most vulnerable to crimes. Always use discretion and caution when taking shortcuts through isolated parts of campus and keep personal belongings in view while on campus.

Domestic and Dating Violence

Domestic and dating violence is a serious problem and can happen to anyone. If you are a victim of domestic or dating violence, you should try to get to a safe place and contact Campus Police, another law enforcement agency, a shelter, and/or a friend or family member as soon as possible.  Additional assistance is available at:

Shelter of Gaston County

Department of Social Services

330 North Marietta Street

Gastonia, NC 28052

Telephone: 704.810.6495 or 704.810.6492

24-Hour Crisis Line: 704.852.6000

Additional information can be found online at http://www.gastongov.com/departments/shelter/web-links and on

Gaston College’s homepage (www.gaston.edu).

Notes Regarding Sex Crimes

A person who is a potential or actual victim of a sex-related incident should remember the following:

• Clearly state your sexual limits to the other person and say “no” forcefully if pressured for unwanted sex.
• If the other person does not respond to “no,” try to get away by running and scream for help. 
• To preserve any evidence, DO NOT wash your hands, bathe, shower, douche, change clothes or disturb the area.
• Try to get to a safe place and contact Campus Police, another law enforcement agency, rape crisis or counseling center, and/or a friend or family member.
• Get medical attention as quickly as possible. The physician should collect specimens and make detailed notes about the physical evidence, such as bruises, cuts, torn clothing, and traces of bodily fluids. You should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. If you are female, you should be tested for pregnancy.

Reporting is a personal choice. Regardless a person’s personal choice to report or not to report, a person should write down the details of an incident and seek any necessary medical treatment, including counseling and/or testing for sexually transmitted diseases and/or pregnancy.

Registered Sex Offenders

The Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act (2002) requires the College to publish the web address of where information can be obtained about registered sex offenders.  This information is located at http://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/.

STATE LAW PENALTIES FOR DRUG POSSESSION, SALE AND/OR MANUFACTURER 

GASTON COLLEGE CRIME STATISTICS CALENDAR YEARS
2012-2014

HATE CRIMES – Gaston College has experienced no crimes where the victim was
intentionally selected because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, gender, religion,
sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability.