Campus Safety
![Museum roof](/sites/default/files/styles/header_mobile/public/2023-01/DSC_1212%20copy.jpg?h=a82a883d&itok=P58vDnpf)
Working Together to Make Our Community Safe
The Department of Campus Safety and Transportation provides enforcement of university policies, security, and emergency services to the Saint Mary’s College communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Department of Campus Safety and Transportation consists of non-sworn Campus Safety Officers and administration staff. The Department oversees the handling of emergency medical responses, medical escort services, fire safety and detection, crime prevention, safety escorts, and parking enforcement.
Campus Safety will gather information on complaints and violations of Saint Mary’s College policy. Depending on the circumstances of the report, local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies may be involved in the investigations that may result in the filing of criminal charges through those agencies and/or complaints referred to the Office of Community Life.
The Department provides a wide range of services designed to inform students and employees about ways to increase security and support on campus: vehicle and foot patrol, crime prevention presentations, presentations during Orientation, a safety escort program, vehicle assistance, room lock-out assistance, and property lost and found.
Members of the Department of Campus Safety and Transportation check exterior doors on a random basis. Exterior residence hall doors are locked 24 hours a day. Classroom and administrative buildings are secured after normally scheduled business hours. These hours may vary given the events scheduled for each building or campus site.
The College community can contact Campus Safety at 925-631-4282 or at psadmin@getcarddoctor.com.
Stay Informed
Rave Alert is Saint Mary’s Emergency Alert System, which sends rapid alerts and instructions to all members of the SMC College community in the event of an emergency.
Through this system, the College is able to deliver emergency notices simultaneously, text messaging, and email to the entire student, faculty, and staff population within minutes.
The effectiveness of this system depends upon individuals providing up-to-date personal contact information. We ask you to partner with the College in registering your cell phone number, as well as other emergency contact information so that College officials can communicate with you wherever you happen to be in the case of a campus-wide emergency.
The new system augments existing emergency communications tools long used by the college, including web postings, e-mail, and automated message lines, but will take advantage of new technologies to support a fully integrated and coordinated emergency communications program.
The Community Warning System (CWS) can alert residents and businesses within Contra Costa County that are impacted by, or are in danger of being impacted by an emergency.
The CWS message will include basic information about the incident and what specific protective actions (shelter in place, lockdown, evacuate, avoid the area, etc.) are necessary to protect life and health.
CWS is generally not used for traffic notifications or other non-life threatening incidents.
By registering your cell phone number, you will receive community warning alerts directly from the Contra Costa County Emergency Operations Center. Saint Mary’s College encourages all residents to register their phone number to expedite event awareness and increase timeliness of messages.
Go to www.cwsalerts.com and click “Register for Emergency Alerts.” You have the ability to identify three addresses in the system. Please use 1928 St. Mary’s Road as an address so you would be included in the school alert zone.
Providing current information is the best way to ensure that you will be reached in the event of an emergency. Please take a few minutes now to register or update your contact information. All information is secure and confidential. Please see the Gael Safe tab on the Campus Safety webpage.
Gael Safe - St. Mary's Safety App
![Gael Safe mobile screen](/sites/default/files/2023-08/Gael%20Safe%20Poster%20crop.png)
Features
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Receive emergency notifications
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Friend Walk
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Mobile BlueLight/Panic Button
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Reporting Capabilities
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CheckIn
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WorkAlone
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Social Escape
Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
![Three students walking in a covered walkway talking](/sites/default/files/2023-01/PromoShoot1_20190430_hmn_13_800px.jpg)
SAFETY TIPS
- Walk with 2 or more people
- Carry a flashlight and a whistle
- Stay on lit paths and sidewalks
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Ensure doors are secured
WILDLIFE
![Racoon lying on a branch resting his head on his paw](/sites/default/files/2023-01/Raccoon.jpg)
BE CAUTIOUS
There is a large variety of wildlife on and around campus. Occasionally, mountain lions and rattlesnakes are spotted.