Criminal activity and other campus emergencies can be reported directly to the Campus Public Safety Department by using the many emergency telephones on campus and in the parking lots. The phones are easily identified by bright blue lights overhead. The Campus Public Safety Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Dial (714) 895-8924 for routine calls and emergencies.

Crime alerts are broadcast to the campus community on an as-needed basis with bulletins, fliers, posters, and emails if appropriate. An escort service is provided 24 hours a day on a one-time or on-going basis. Each night after sunset, GWC’s Campus Public Safety vehicles patrol the campus to deter crime.

Another critical element of a campus safety program is training. The Golden West College Public Safety Department, Student Health Services, and Title IX sponsor programs on a variety of topics ranging from sexual assault awareness to substance abuse prevention.

For detailed information about the services provided by GWC’s Campus Public Safety Department, phone (714) 895-8924.

All people who participate in programs and activities of the Coast Community College District have the right to do so under safe conditions without physical or psychological threat. Toward that end, the district, through its three colleges, offers a comprehensive program of education and service to minimize the risk of sexual assault to all citizens who use its facilities.

Accordingly, Golden West College operates a coordinated program dealing with the issue of sexual assault. The areas of emphasis are education, environment, and services.

Education

The college coordinates and sponsors educational workshops and classes provided by local community service programs during each semester, which promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sex offenses.

Examples of such programs are the Victim/Witness Assistance Program, the Victim/Witness Sexual Assault Services Program, “Stop Gap” theatrical group presentations and programs conducted by the Orange County Sexual Assault Network. Also, the Student Health Center conducts seminars on what women and men should know about date rape in addition to discussion groups focusing on campus sexual assaults and present a mandatory seminar for all athletes during each spring.

For more information about education programs, please view the Title IX Website.

Environment

The Golden West College Assessment and Care Team (ACT) performs follow-up work to eliminate personal safety hazards.

Safety Escort Services

Public Safety offers escorts to Students or Staff based upon availability. We try to accommodate all requests when our public safety officers are available. When Officers are busy on calls for service or other activities, those requests must be prioritized with other campus demand needs.

Public Safety may be contacted by using any of the code blue phones located in visible places throughout the campus, or from a campus telephone by dialing 58924. To connect from a cell phone, please call (714) 895-8924.

The Public Safety Office is in the Southwest corner of the campus next to Nursing & Health Services (Goldenwest St. and Edinger Ave.). Office staff and after-hours officers can be reached 24 hours at (714) 895-8924.

Services

Campus Public Safety officers or other college officials will call local police and paramedics when an incident occurs that might be construed by them to involve sexual assault.

Referral Agencies

The following referral agencies provide services free of charge.

NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE 24 Hour Hotline 1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

VICTIM / WITNESS ASSISTANCE:

West Justice Center (Westminster) (714) 896-7188

Central Justice Center (Santa Ana) (714) 834-4350

Harbor Justice Center (Newport Beach) (949) 476-4855

North Justice Center (Fullerton) (714) 773-4575

Lamoreaux Justice Center (Orange) (714) 935-7074

SEXUAL ASSAULT 24 Hour Hotline (714) 957-2737

Access to academic, recreational, and administrative facilities on campus will be restricted to district students, faculty, and employees. Access to cultural and recreational events on campus by the public will be limited to only the facilities in which the events occur. Each building has different operating hours based upon the academic schedule for each building. The building manager provides information each semester regarding when the building will be open.

Individuals who need to be in campus buildings or areas other than during regularly scheduled work hours must complete a Use of Facility form to use college facilities for that date and time. The Campus Public Safety Department is notified when such facility use permits are approved.

Many campus rooms and buildings are protected by intrusion alarms. Before entering such areas, the Campus Public Safety Department should be notified.

Campus buildings will normally be locked from 5:30 p.m. Friday to between 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. Monday. College personnel will unlock doors for weekend classes and other events as published in the facility use schedule. It is the responsibility of those who use rooms, offices, and areas to lock access doors, turn off lights, and close windows.

Keys are provided to staff members on a need-to-enter basis as determined by the appropriate supervisor. Lost keys must be reported immediately to one’s supervisor and the Campus Public Safety Department.

Golden West College Campus Public Safety Officers are non-sworn and do not possess peace officer status. They are authorized to make arrests by Section 837 of the penal code. Public Safety officers are authorized to enforce traffic and parking regulations on campus. All officers are trained in Basic First Aid and CPR and receive specialized training in Campus Public Safety operations.

The Campus Public Safety Department maintains a close working relationship with Huntington Beach Police Department and has a written agreement to share information relating to criminal activity occurring on campus or in the immediate areas.

The goal of the Campus Public Safety Department is to anticipate and prevent crimes and property damage as well as to respond to all incidents on the campus and apprehend perpetrators whenever possible. This enforcement saves the college money from property damage and protects the college community from the losses and suffering associated with crime.

Taking a proactive approach, the GWC Campus Public Safety Department has established a comprehensive training program to augment the expertise and confidence of the individual safety department staff member in the performance of his or her duties. The training program includes self-defense tactics classes, post-certified courses for the officers, and video training films for officers, student assistants, and desk personnel.

In accordance with Public Law 101-226, Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, the Board of Trustees of Coast Community College District prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, and/or alcohol by students and employees on Golden West College property. This also includes any Golden West college sponsored or sanctioned activity whether on or off campus.

Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, expulsion from Golden West College, or termination from employment for violations of the standards of conduct as specified in collective bargaining agreements and the California Education Code.

The possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages by anyone on Golden West College controlled property is punishable as a misdemeanor per California Business Code 25608 and/or a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct. The use, sale, or possession of any illegal drug is a violation of state law and any person found in violation may be subject to arrest by federal, state, local, or campus law enforcement authorities. Criminal prosecution is separate from any administrative discipline that may be imposed by the district.

GWC is committed to a drug-free campus so that students and staff can work in a drug-free environment. There are state laws and the College Code of Conduct which specifically prohibit the use and possession, distribution or sale of drugs or alcohol on college property or at any college-sponsored activity or event. These rules also describe the penalties and disciplinary actions which may come into play when violations occur for those who abuse or do not take positive steps to get help.

The district policy is that all use of alcohol and other drugs is prohibited on District property and at any college-sponsored activity regardless of its location. Furthermore, the use of tobacco is prohibited in all District buildings and vehicles.

You can meet with a professional counselor at the Student Health Center if you have questions or concerns. Call the center at (714) 895-8379 to schedule an appointment.

Golden West College has implemented stiff penalties and a “Zero Tolerance” policy for persons bringing dangerous weapons to campus, which is a felony. GWC students will be expelled for bringing firearms, knives, brass knuckles, slingshots, air rifles, or any other type of weapon capable of inflicting grave bodily harm. Expulsion is a more severe punishment than suspension. Expulsion is for an indefinite time.

Anyone who has reason to believe or suspect that a person brought a weapon or possesses one on campus shall immediately report it to the college Public Safety Department.

SEX OFFENDERS ON CAMPUS

California Penal Code Section 290(a) (1) requires convicted sex offenders to register as such while on campus at any state college or university. The requirement is for offenders to register with the local Post Certified Police Agency. Because the Golden West College Public Safety Department Officers are not sworn peace officers, sex offenders on campus must register with the Huntington Beach Police Department.

The following is an excerpt from information published by the Huntington Beach Police Department. It is provided for those who require additional information on the release of Megan's Law information.

MEGAN'S LAW

Megan's Law, also known as Penal code Section 290, was instituted to help protect the public from individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime. These crimes range from misdemeanor indecent exposure to felony rape.

Upon their release from custody, sex offenders are required to register on an annual basis at the local law enforcement agency of the city in which they reside. Failure to comply with all the requirements can result in their arrest and re-incarceration. Failure to comply with ALL the requirements can result in their arrest and subsequent re-incarceration.

Megan's Law also allows the local law enforcement agency to release identifying information on certain sex offenders, at the agency's discretion. This decision is based on the sex offender's current classification, past criminal history, and the likelihood of the subject to re-offend.

To view the California Megan’s law map, please click HERE

THE PUBLIC

HBPD must balance the privacy rights of the offender with the public's need to protect itself. Further, there are different statutory classifications of offenders that come into play.

1. Others are the least serious sex offenders. These offenders have been convicted of a single misdemeanor sex offense.
2. Serious sex offenders are those who have been convicted of a single felony sex offense.
3. High risk sex offenders have been convicted of at least one violent sex offense and several other non-sex offenses.

By law, personal information of offenders classified as Others cannot be released to the public. Information on all other classifications can be released at the discretion of the law enforcement agency following prescribed guidelines.

The HBPD investigator assigned to the 290 detail conducts a thorough threat assessment interview with each offender during their registration. Based on the offender's interview and past criminal history, a determination is made as to whether an information flyer on the subject should be issued to the public.