TIMELY WARNINGS - CRIME ALERTS

TYPES OF TIMELY WARNINGS

SMU issues two types of timely warnings:

CAMPUS CRIME ALERT

A Campus Crime Alert is posted when a Clery Act crime is reported to the SMU Police or to a campus security authority and the crime is considered to be a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.  These crimes must have occurred within those areas of the campus that are specifically defined in 34 CFR 668.46(a). These areas are broken down into four categories:

On Campus Property        Residential Facilities        Non-Campus Property        Public Property

Definitions for these categories can be viewed by visiting www.securityoncampus.org .

* SMU will not necessarily issue timely warnings for every Clery Act criminal incident that is reported since that specific incident may not pose a continuing threat to the community.  Certain Clery Act crimes like burglary or motor vehicle theft, for example, occur frequently on the campus at random locations.  Suspect information is often never provided or determined.  This is also true of the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Individuals should exercise due care and caution to avoid being victimized.  Check out the crime prevention tips posted by the SMU Police to deter these crimes or attend a crime prevention briefing.  

CRIME ALERT (Off Campus)

SMU may post a Crime Alert (off campus) for certain Clery Act crimes when timely notification is received by the SMU Police and the offense is considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to the students and employees of SMU due to the nature of the crime, and/or proximity to the main campus, the SMU-at-Legacy campus in Plano, Texas or the SMU at Taos campus in Taos, New Mexico.

Even though this action is not required by law, SMU strongly believes in supporting the spirit of the Clery Act by informing the community about certain crimes that are reported in the areas immediately surrounding our campuses; but outside the normal police patrol area.