In an attempt to keep the Knox College campus safe for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors and to expedite aid in the event of an emergency, please follow these tips while on campus.
How to Report a Crime
It is very important that all crime and suspicious activity be reported promptly to the Office of Campus Safety at 309-341-7979. Alternately, a report can be made in person by visiting the Campus Safety office, located in the Administrative Services Center at 368 S. Prairie Street.
When calling Campus Safety, please leave your name and a phone number so you can be contacted if further investigation is necessary. Campus Safety officers are available 24 hours a day and will respond to your location if necessary and/or desired.
All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to accurately and promptly report all crimes to the Department of Campus Safety and, when necessary, to the Galesburg Police Department at 309-343-9151. The Galesburg Police Department is located in the Public Safety Building at 150 S. Broad Street, just north of campus.
Reporting Crimes on a Confidential Basis
If you have been the victim of a crime and do not wish to pursue action within any segment of the official College investigation and resolution system or with local authorities, or if you have observed criminal activity in which another is a victim, you may make a confidential report to the Department of Campus Safety or to one of the College's on-campus confidential advisors. On-campus confidential advisors include Knox Counseling Services and Knox College Health Services. The College encourages its pastoral and professional counselors, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform the person they are counseling to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual report of crime statistics.
When reporting a crime on a confidential basis, at the request of the reporting party, the Director or designee of Campus Safety may file a report on the details of an incident without adding the name of the reporting party to the Campus Safety Report. Please understand, however, that reports of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, including any identifying information, will be reported by the Department of Campus Safety to the College's Title IX Coordinator, who will then evaluate any request for confidentiality in accordance with the College's Investigation and Resolution Procedures for Allegations of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, and Interpersonal Violence.
Additionally, the College has created an Incident Report Form which permits the reporting party to make a confidential report online without revealing the identity of the reporting party. The confidential process permits the reporting party to maintain confidentially/anonymity while documenting the incident.
The College uses this information to maintain an accurate record of criminal activity on campus and identify patterns of crime in particular locations, methods, or possible assailants and provide information to the campus community. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for the institution.
How To Report a Fire
In case of a fire or an explosion, immediately activate the nearest fire alarm and call the Galesburg Fire Department at 911. Then, notify Campus Safety at 309-341-7979.
When a fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately and close all doors. Prompt and complete evacuation of campus buildings or facilities is mandatory when a fire alarm is sounded or when directed to do so by College personnel. Individuals who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action. Fire doors and fire escapes are to be used only in case of an emergency.
Placing a 911 call
911 is the number to call in any campus emergency. From campus phones, dial 911 for fire, medical, or police assistance. If you feel threatened, do not hesitate to call for help immediately and stay on the phone so the Communications Operator can obtain information needed for a timely and appropriate response. If possible, Campus Safety should also be notified as soon as possible at 309-341-7979 after the emergency call has been completed.
The following format has been developed to assist the caller with the delivery of concise, accurate information based on the acronym "I TALK" *(Identity, Time, Activity, Location, Keep observation active) format as follows:
I=IDENTIFY the caller by name and address. Include a callback number in the event that the call may be inadvertently dropped/ disconnected.
T=TIME Provide the 911 Communications Center with the TIME of the incident observation. The time element remains a critical component as it confirms that the communication center personnel understands if the event may be taking place at the time of the call or took place days earlier.
A=ACTIVITY Provide the 911 Communications Center with a concise and accurate description of the observation(s) of the ACTIVITY that has been observed by the caller.
L=LOCATION Provide the 911 Communications Center with the LOCATION of the observation
K=KEEP When possible attempt to KEEP observing the activity provided that such observations may be made without endangering the personal safety of the caller or any other innocent person.
*Note: The I-TALK component is part of a national campaign initiated by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which used the phrase "If you see something, say something" to encourage timely reporting of suspicious activity. The program has been adopted for use by numerous colleges and universities throughout the country to encourage timely reporting on campuses.
