Campus and Public Safety

Crime Statistics

Crime Definitions | Sex Offense Definitions | Campus Crimes Prevention Act | Statistics | Month Activity Report | Response to Sexual Assault

Crime Statistics Information

The information provided here is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990. The statistics were compiled by the Department of Campus and Public Safety based on reports filed with the Prairie State College Department of Campus and Public Safety, the Chicago Heights Police Department, and College Administrators. Also included are statistics from other police departments in jurisdictions where Prairie State College leases or uses facilities to conduct classes. All crimes are listed within the calendar year they occur. Crimes are categorized using the definitions listed in the FBI Uniform Crime Report. All students are provided and have access to a copy of this information.

Crime Definitions

Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. It is not necessary that the injury result from an aggravated assault when a gun, knife or other weapon is used which could or probably would result in a serious potential injury if the crime was successfully completed.

Arson: Any willful malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property, etc.

Burglary: The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. For reporting purposes this definition includes unlawful entry with intent to commit a larceny or a felony; breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny; housebreaking; safe-cracking and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned.

Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. (Classify as motor vehicle theft all cases where automobiles are taken by persons not having lawful access even though the vehicles are later abandoned, including joy riding).

Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Murder by Negligence: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Robbery: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force, violence, and /or causing the victim fear.

Weapon Law Violations: The violation of laws or ordinances dealing with weapon offenses, regulatory in nature, such as: manufacture, sale or possession of deadly weapons; carrying deadly weapons, concealed or openly; furnishing deadly weapons to minors; aliens possessing deadly weapons; all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned.

Drug Abuse Violations: Violations of state and local laws relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, manufacturing and making of narcotic drugs. The relevant substances include: opium or cocaine and their derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine); Marijuana; synthetic narcotics (Demerol, methadone's); and dangerous non-narcotic drugs (barbituates, Benezedrine).

Liquor Law Violations: The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting: the manufacture, sale, transporting, furnishing, possessing of intoxicating liquor; maintaining unlawful drinking places; bootlegging; operating a still; furnishing liquor to a minor or intemperate person; using a vehicle for the illegal transportation of liquor; drinking on a train or a public conveyance; all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned. (Drunkenness and driving under the influence are not included in this definition)

Hate Crimes: A person commits a hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, he commits assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to real property, mob action or disorderly conduct.

Sex Offence Definitions

As per the National Incident -Based Reporting System Edition of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Sex Offenses-Forcible: Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and /or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Forcible Rape:The carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly, and /or against the person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his /her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity(or because of his/her youth)

Forcible Sodomy: Oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person, forcibly and /or against that person's will; or not forcibly against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

Sexual Assault with an Object: The use of an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, forcibly and /or against that person's will; or not forcibly against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

Forcible Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

Response to Sexual Assault

Prairie State College Code of Student Conduct. Rape and all forms of sexual assault are violations of the Prairie State Code of Conduct. While most victims of sexual assault are women, some men are also victims. Emotional support, options counseling, legal advocacy, and medical treatment are available to assist all those recovering from a sexual asault.

Prevention and Education Programs. Sexual assault prevention, counseling programs and information are available through:

• Department of Campus and Public Safety (708) 709- 3756 or extension 3756 on-campus
• PSC Counseling Center (708) 709-3912
• Chicago Heights Police Department (708) 756-6400
• The CARE Center (708) 788- 6759
• Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline (888) 293-2080
• South Suburban YWCA (708) 748-5672

Guidelines for Assistance. If you are raped or sexually assaulted:

Medical Treatment. It is important to seek immediate and follow-up medical attention for several reasons: 1.To assess and treat the physical injuries you may have sustained; 2.To determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take necessary preventive measures; 3.To gather evidence that could aid in criminal prosecution.

Physical evidence should be collected immediately, ideally within the first 24 hours. It may be collected later than this, but the quality and quanity of the evidence may be diminshed.

Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act

The Campus Sex Crimes and Prevention Act was signed into law by President Clinton on October 28, 2000. Passed as part of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The provides that those required to register as sex offenders under various state laws must now also provide note when they attend or are employed by an institution of higher education. Specifically, Section 1700101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (42 U.S.C.) Section 140710) was amended by adding the following subsections:

(j) Notice of enrollment at or Employment by Institution of Higher Learning.
(1) Notice by Offender.
(A) In General. In addition any other requirement of this section, any person who is required to register in a State shall provide notice as required under State law-
(i) of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student; and
(ii) of each change of enrollment or employment status of such person at an institution of higher education in that State.

The new subsection also includes information on what constitutes a "change of status" and instructions to state officials as to how the information is to be disseminated. This amendment became affective on October 28, 2002.

New Campus requirement. In addition to the above, the Act also amended Section 485(f) (1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. section 1092(f) (1). This amendment requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where the law enforcement agency information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.

Sex offender notification allowed. A third amendment within the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act adds subsection 7 to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. section 1232 g (b). This amendment clarifies that nothing within the latter Act (FERPA): may be construed to prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution under section 170101 of the Violent Crime and Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 concerning registered sex offenders who are required to register under such section.

Law enforcement agency information may be obtained from the Chicago Heights Police Department, 1601 Halsted, Chicago Heights, Illinois 60411. (708) 756-6400.

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