Top 10 questions about the Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety provides a safe and secure learning environment for the Lafayette community. The staff consists of commissioned police officers with full police powers and security officers. Officers patrol the campus and surrounding area around the clock every day of the year. All Lafayette officers are certified in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator. Public Safety is open and staffed 24 hours a day every day of the year. In addition to the police and security function, the department is also responsible for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) of the campus. The EHS section consists of certified specialists who conduct: building and laboratory inspections; ergonomic, lighting, indoor air quality surveys; fire exit drills and EHS-related training.  Public Safety also administers all transportation services including parking and shuttle buses.

If you are a victim of a crime, please report the incident to the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.  It is also important to preserve any evidence that might be available for collection and analysis. A member of the Public Safety staff will handle your complaint professionally and sensitively. If crimes are not reported, little can be done to prevent other community members from becoming victims of a similar offense.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, Campus Police Officers have the same authority as municipal police officers, including arrest powers on College-owned property and contiguous streets and areas. Security Officers patrol campus buildings and enforce College policy and procedures. Security Officers assist Campus Police Officers as necessary. A Campus Police Officer wears a dark navy blue shirt and a security officer wears a light blue shirt.

Leopard Alerts is a notification system that enables Lafayette students, faculty, staff, parents and community to receive alerts on their cellphones via text and/or email in the event of an emergency on campus. Use of the system is reserved for significant emergencies or dangerous situations involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. Leopard Alerts relies on the cellphone number stored in Banner by an employee or student. Haven’t shared a cellphone yet or fear your emergency contact may be out of date? Update it now in Banner. Parents and neighbors will have a separate registration process. Learn more

We provide around the clock police and security services to keep the campus community safe. Our officers also offer training to the community in a variety of topics including: crime prevention; Rape Aggression Defense-RAD (for women only); and fire safety. Additionally, we are responsible for providing Environmental, Health and Safety services for the campus. Finally, we administer all parking and transportation services.

The Good Samaritan Policy was established to help prevent serious medical consequences for someone involving high risk drinking or someone who is experiencing a drug overdose. The College has in place a practice of providing amnesty for those who report students at risk. It states the following: In the event that a student or student organization assists a Lafayette College student who is intoxicated, or who is experiencing a drug overdose, in procuring public safety and/or professional medical assistance, neither the intoxicated/overdosed student nor the individual or group who provides assistance for that individual will be subject to formal College disciplinary action for (1) being intoxicated/overdosed, or (2) having provided that person with alcohol. This refers to isolated incidents only and does not excuse or protect those who flagrantly and/or repeatedly violate the College’s alcohol policy. It applies only to cases of suspected extreme intoxication or other life-threatening circumstances due to alcohol or drugs and does not extend to related infractions such as assault or property damage. Although formal disciplinary action will not be invoked, mandatory referrals for educational sessions and/or assessment may be made. The Good Samaritan policy does not apply to a person or persons who delivered or distributed a controlled substance. Additionally, the Good Samaritan policy does not apply to situations where College administrators, staff or faculty members observe or report a violation of the College’s drug or alcohol policies.

All alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct are referred to the Office of Student Development. The office involves students, faculty and staff in the administration of the Student Code of Conduct and informs students of their rights and responsibilities as members of the community through a variety of means, including the Student Handbook. The program promotes adherence to the behavioral standards agreed upon by the campus community and provides an adjudication process that is characterized by integrity, respect, fairness, and individualized learning. http://conduct.lafayette.edu

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the grading of crimes are as follows:  Summary Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Felonies.  An example of a summary offense is the unlawful Purchase, Consumption, Possession, or Transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages (underage drinking/possession).  These cases can be initiated by a campus police officer issuing a citation to the offender.  The case is then referred to a Magisterial District Judge for disposition.  Misdemeanor and Felony arrests are more serious in nature.  A person arrested on felony charges is arraigned in front of a Magisterial District Judge, and then processed at the Central Booking Center.

The Lafayette College Area Transportation (LCAT) shuttle buses have an expansive schedule that connects the main campus with the Arts campus, downtown Easton/bus station, the College’s athletic fields and local shopping areas. There is a smart phone mobile app available which utilizes a live online tracking system to show the shuttle location. You can track the shuttle and download the mobile app from the Public Safety website http://publicsafety.lafayette.edu/parking/.  There is also a special shuttle that runs at the beginning and end of each semester that provides transportation between campus and Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVIA).

All students who bring a motor vehicle to Lafayette must register their vehicle with Public Safety regardless of where the vehicle will be parked. Registration requests must be completed online at the Public Safety web page. Once the parking registration request is reviewed and approved, you may bring your Student ID to the Public Safety Office to pick up your parking sticker. Parking assignments are enforced Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and each registrant is expected to park where he/she is assigned. If your assigned lot is full, use the Markle Parking Deck or Leopard Parking Deck and report the condition immediately to the Public Safety Department. Lafayette College reserves the right to alter parking assignments on a permanent or temporary basis when new construction, major repairs, and emergency situations require such changes. For complete details see the Fines and Regulation section of the Public Safety LCAT Shuttle, Parking and Transportation Services web page.

Students residing in off-campus housing, either in College-owned or privately owned apartments, may park on city streets only if they register their vehicles with the City of Easton, according to prescribed city guidelines. In addition, students must simultaneously register their motor vehicles with the Department of Public Safety. A campus registration fee is not charged to off-campus students; however, these students do not have the privilege of parking in on-campus lots between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or during restricted periods (e.g. football games, large campus-wide events). At no time may vehicles be parked in unauthorized and prohibited areas such as Red Tow-Away Zones, Yellow No Parking Zones, faculty residence spaces or handicap spaces without a proper handicap permit. Failure to comply with guidelines will result in disciplinary action taken; i.e., loss of parking privilege, the withholding of grades or transcripts, denial of registration for classes, etc. http://publicsafety.lafayette.edu/parking/

Fines
$20   Parking Violations (General/Misc.)
$25   No Parking Zone (yellow)
$50   Red Tow-Away Zone + towing and daily storage costs
$50   Failure to Register
$50   Careless/Reckless Driving
$100 Handicap Area