LSC-Counseling Services Recognizes National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month

The LSC-North Harris counseling services recognizes the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Watch for counseling activities including tables and displays in the main academic building hallway, the Cyber Cafe, and links to the CheckYourself.com Web site.

High School Students and Campus Safety

The Mission of the Lone Star Police Department is to promote open communication and to achieve excellence in police protection by ensuring a safe and secure working and learning environment for everyone. In the last few years the police department has had complaints from faculty and staff regarding Nimitz High school students coming on campus after school. Thanks to Lane Johnson and her staff the number of these students visiting just to use Myspace and Facebook has been reduced. The Police Department is concern about the safety of everyone that visits the campus. If you believed that high school student are skipping classes, please let the police department know. There should not be any high school students on campus after school hours according to Nimitz’  policy guide “For Your  Child’s Safety” which is published below.

Remember: Safety is not silence.

For Your Child’s Safety (from Nimitz High School policy guide)
Students who stay after school must be with an adult sponsor, coach, or teacher from 3:00 to 5:15 p.m. The SAC/D-Hall room will be used for those students without an adult sponsor or teacher. Students found on the campus grounds without a pass will be placed in the D-Hall room. Students must have a stamp on their hand in order to ride the Extra Curricular bus. They will get the stamp from their sponsor/teacher/coach or the D-Hall teacher. Also, car riders need to be picked up promptly or are also subject to going to the D-Hall room.

Safety in the aftermath of hurricane Ike

The LSC-North Harris police department hopes that everyone has made it through the storm safely and with minimal damage to homes and personal property. Now that classes are back in session please thinking about campus safety. The following are a few reminders:

1. When you are planning to leave for the day do not forget to turn off your light and lock the door;
2. Please secure all your personal items in a lock cabinet or desk;
3. If you’re working later and need escorts to your car please call ext. 5555 for a security officer to escort you to your car;
4. Check your surrounding as you move around the campus during the morning and evening hours

On October 13, 2008 the Lone Star College System Police Communications Center will begin answering your calls for police services. The center will be open 24 hours each day, 7 days a week. More information about the communication center will be posted in the near future.

Lost & Found

By Captain Claude Taylor

With new students on campus, many for the first time, there are bound to be items that get lost. Books, bookbags, watches, and other personal effects are often turned in to the police.

If you noticed abandoned or lost items, please contact the campus police at 281.618.5611 and we will arrange for pick-up of the items and hold for safe-keeping. You may give your students the number listed above to arrange for retrieval of their items.

New Dispatch Center to Open; Welcome to New Employees

By Captain Claude Taylor

Lone star College Police Department would like to welcome everyone back for another Fall Semester. The Police Department will have some changes coming. On October 1, 2008 the Lone Star College System Police Department dispatcher center open at the System Office. There will be someone to answer your call 24 hours 7 days a week. The dispatch center will assist you in getting a Police Officer or a Security Officer to your location. More information will be forthcoming in September. There are new Parking tags for employees full time and regular part-time. These tags will be issued out during the week of August 18, 2008.

Lone Star College Police Department – North Harris would like welcome two new Police Officers.

Sabra Brown
Carlos Arrendondo

Have a safe and happy fall semester.

Important Safety Tips for Fireworks

Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the holiday season. But fireworks can be dangerous when used improperly, causing serious burn and eye injuries. That’s why the Harris County Fire Marshal strongly recommends that you: LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS!

If celebrating with fireworks is legal in your area, and you decide to use them, follow these safety tips:

Before you using fireworks:

1. DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN BUY FIREWORKS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION
2. Only buy from reliable fireworks sellers
3. Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
4. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
5. Find a smooth, flat surface — away from the house and other buildings, or dry leaves and grass
6. Be sure to have water handy in case of a malfunction or fire
7. ALWAYS HAVE ADULT SUPERVISION!

When you’re ready:

1. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH OR IGNITE FIREWORKS
2. Always read and follow label directions, warnings, and instructions
3. Be considerate of your neighbors
4. Only ignite fireworks outdoors, and away from houses and other buildings
5. Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks
6. Light only one firework at a time
7. Never try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned
8. Never give fireworks to small children, even sparklers can cause serious burns
9. Never throw fireworks at another person, vehicle, or animal
10. Never carry fireworks in your pocket
11. Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers
12. Dispose of spent fireworks properly

Also, for the remainder of the summer there will be some hazards in and around the Student Center due to the construction work taking place in the cafeteria. If you are walking near the area please be cautious.

Summer Awareness

By Captain Claude Taylor

Summer I has begun and there are new high school and summer transfer students on the campus. Therefore, the LSCS Public Safety Department wants to remind everyone-current and new visitors-to be aware of the following:

• Keep all valuables locked away;
• Please turn in lost items immediately to the Police Department;
• Call the Police Department if you see any suspicious activity (281.618.5555 off campus, Ext. 5555 on campus);
• And, when leaving for the day, check your vehicle to be sure that everything is okay (gas cap, tires, etc.).

Also, LSC-North Harris Summer Kids College will begin on June 16, 2008 there will be approximately 200 kids on campus. The LSCS Public Safety Department will need your assistance in keeping a close eye on the kids. We want this summer to be a safe summer.

Think Safety First

By Captain Claude Taylor

In the last six weeks, there have been accidents, shootings,and stabbings in and around the area and throughout the city. As we travel from place to place, safety is not always a high priority on list of things to think about. Scheduling sometime gets in the way of safety. We have to get shopping done, bills paid, run family errands, and fulfill commitments.

In our busy day, we don’t often think about the crowds and who’s in the crowd around us. Here are few simple things to think about while on campus:

• summer registration has begun and there will be more people walking around who could be lost or looking for a particular area;
• please make sure to secure all personal items in your office suites and turn off the lights if no one is in the office;
• when giving out information or directions ask that person if they have an appointment to see the person that they are inquiring about;
• notify the police if you are working late or if you need an escort to your car (281.618.5555); and
• program the LSC-North Harris police department number into your mobile phone for quick access and ease of dialing.

We care about your safety here at Lone Star College-North Harris.

Have a safe and fun summer.

Crime on Campus

Campus crime statistics are posted yearly and to date, Lone Star College-North Harris crime statistics are very good. Police activity has been normal for this time of the year. LSC-North Harris, LSC-Greenspoint,and LSC-Carver Centers have experienced a total of 55 calls for service this year resulting in a Officers report. According to the required Clery Act report, LSC–North Harris has zero crime.

However, there are incidents, which had occurred on campus, that do not fall under the Clery Act reporting requirements.

The total number of incidents at the main campus and two centers are as follows

• Medical assist, 10
• BMV’s (bulgary of motor vehicle), 7
• Thefts, 6
• Criminal mischief, 6
• Disorderly Conduct, 1
• Motor vehicle accidents, 13
• Information reports (not related to any crime), 12

The Police Department suggests taking these steps to educate yourselves on crime prevention techniques.

• Know your surrounding
• Call for an escort
• Inform the police if your are working late
• Do not linger in the parking lots
• Be prepared when walking to your car (have your keys in-hand)

Parking Reminders

From Johanna Boley

Please note that the 24 hours slots in Lot A need to be reserved for visitors to the campus, and not just faculty staff parking on a regular basis.

Identity Theft

In the past few years, the news media has reported many stories about the wide-spread prevalence of identity theft. The Lone Star College-North Harris campus is not immune and has had several cases. As a result, some people were hit with large credit card bills and/or the thieves applied for credit using the stolen identification. Some of the LSC-North Harris police department cases involved faculty, staff, and students. To date, the police department has recovered–through Lost and Found–21 credit cards, 38 Texas driver’s licenses or ID’s, 18 student ID cards, and one Social Security card. As of today, this property has been destroyed by the police department. As a policy, recovered personal information will be held for only 30 days. Therefore, if your personal information is lost or stolen please call the LSC-North Harris police at 281-618-5555 (off campus) or ext. 5555 (on campus) immediately. The police department will assist you in getting the help you need to stop someone from stealing your identity. Additionally, your local banking institutions can assist you if your identity is stolen.

Holiday Safety

By Chief Richard Gregory and Captain Claude Taylor

Season’s Greeting,

The Holidays are here and your safety is important to us. As we approach the ending of another semester and the student traffic slows it is important for everyone to check on each other throughout the campus. The Public Safety Department will be all around the campus to assist you.

Here are some safety tips to help us keep our campus safe during this Holiday season:

1. When leaving the office, make sure that it is secured if no one is there.
2. If there is someone walking through the building, pushing equipment without an ID badge call X 5555 for the Police.
3. If someone is looking for an office or another employee asked them if they have appointment.
4. Please park near the building if you going to work past 4:30 p.m. and call the Police Department.
5. Please call for a escort if you are working very late.
6. Please make sure that all valuable items are stored in a safe place.

Think safety everywhere you go. The thieves are shopping too and looking for an opportunity to steal your money and holiday gifts. These are some strategies you might employ off-campus:

1. Turn on TV or radio when leaving in the evening to go shopping.
2. Don’t display wrapped gifts where people can see them from outside your house window.
3. If you have to leave packages in your car, hide them.
4. Don’t display and make large cash purchases. Using check and credit cards makes you safer when walking across a parking lot.
5. Take along a friend or family member when shopping at night. Have your keys ready when walking to your car. Park in well lighted areas.
6. Avoid parking next to suspicious or creepy looking vehicles. (Vans with no glass or very dark tinted windows.)
7. Be aware that people asking for directions may just be checking out your home or neighborhood.

Finally, have a happy and safe holiday.

Silence is not Safety

By Claude Taylor
Captain NHC Police Department

Our college community is moving at fast pace and the community that surrounds us is moving even faster. The North Harris College Department of Public Safety’s mission is to strive to keep up with the pace to ensure that we all have a safe environment. The Department of Public Safety needs assistance in keeping our community secure.

This semester, NHC has been the victim of fifteen acts of graffiti. The incidents have occurred in the men’s restrooms around the campus. The majority of the incidents occurred between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and ten of the incidents happened on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On November 1, 2007, a suspect was interviewed and arrested for the offense of graffiti ( TX Penal Code 28.08). Marking on the property of an institution of higher learning is a state jail felony, punishable by confinement in state jail for 180 days to not more than two years. If the person has a prior felony conviction, he or she may be punished for a third degree felony, which could result in two to ten years confinement and up to a $ 10,000 fine. It was a 2 month investigation with over 250 man hours in capturing a suspect. Officers began showing photos of the graffiti around which lead NHC officers to the suspect.

Also, this semester the NHC police department has investigated eight thefts from students. We have had two vehicles broken into resulting in the theft of a vehicle parts and five thefts of personal property. The personal property thefts all involved the contents from an unattended purse or gym bag.

Additional uniformed police officer, plain clothes police officer, and security guards have been scheduled on campus to deter and detect violators.

The North Harris College Police Department has added a new part-time officer and security guard. Please congratulate Dr. Glenn Ware part-time police officer and professor of Criminal Justice at North Harris College, and Carlos Arrendondo part-time security officer and North Harris College student.

Finally, silence is not safety we need your assistance in keeping our campus community safe.

Faculty & staff rights and suggested responsibilities

North Harris College is committed to providing faculty members, staff and students a safe, non-threatening, educational environment. The following information is provided to assist faculty and staff in dealing with situations that may disrupt or threaten individuals in the learning environment. This article provides a few examples of incidents that may take place within the educational setting and it allows the employee to see at a glance the suggested procedures that might assist a faculty or staff member when a certain type of behavior takes place.

Definitions:

Disruptive behavior: an action that hinders others from learning: an action that interferes with the instructor from effectively teaching: an action that prohibits an individual from successfully completing their duties assigned to them.

Threatening Behavior: an action, either verbal or behavioral, that is perceived or intended to do harm or danger.

It is strongly suggested for faculty to publish in their syllabi the definition and policy procedures for disruptive or threatening behavior. The following is the North Harris Community College District’s statement regarding disciplinary action. Students and registered student organizations are subject to disciplinary action according to the provisions of the code of Student Conduct, described in the NHMCCD catalog. The District may enforce its own disciplinary policies and procedures when the conduct of a student or a registered student organization directly, seriously, or adversely impairs, interferes with, or disrupts the overall mission, programs or other functions of the District or its colleges.

REMEMBER: EACH SITUATION IS UNIQUE AND EACH FACULTY/STAFF MEMBER SHOULD USE DISCRETION WHEN APPLYING THESE SUGGESTIONS.

EXAMPLES OF MISCONDUCT

Alcoholic Beverages: Use, possession, sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages or intoxication while on college property or while involved in a college activity is prohibited.
Narcotics or Drugs: Use, possession, sale, delivery, distribution or being under the influence of any narcotic, drug, medicine prescribed to someone else, chemical compound, or other controlled substances or drug related paraphernalia is prohibited.

Firearms, Weapons and Explosives: Use or possession of weapons including handguns, ammunition, firearms, explosives, noxious materials, incendiary devices or other dangerous substances is prohibited.

Threats of Physical Harm against Members of the College Community: Physical harm or threat of harm, intentional or reckless conduct that endangers the health or safety of individuals, disruptive behavior, harassment, sexual misconduct or unwanted sexual behavior, and or participation in a campus demonstration that disrupts normal operations is prohibited.

Disruption of Classroom (on campus) and or REFUSAL TO LEAVE: Any student who disrupts a classroom and is asked to leave the room by the instructor and refuses may be subject to disciplinary action.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES

Faculty, Staff and Administrators:

A. Be familiar with the policies and procedures regarding disruptive /threatening behavior on North Harris Campus

B. Understand the levels of disruptive/threatening behavior

1. NEVER LEAVE SUICIDAL, THREATENING OR DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS UNATTENDED

2. KNOW WHERE YOUR EMERGENCY PHONES ARE LOCATED ON EACH FLOOR

3. BRING YOUR CELL PHONE TO CLASS WITH YOU

4. USE A WITNESS (STUDENT) TO MAKE A PHONE CALL (X.5555)

C. Initiate communication with the appropriate contact person regarding the incident

1. CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY (X.5555)

2. CONTACT YOUR DEPARTMENTAL CHAIR OR SUPERVISOR

3. CONTACT THE PROPER COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR (DR. LAMBERT)

D. Document each Incident

1. EMAIL THE POLICE: amos.j.york@nhmccd.edu

2. GET A WITNESS STATEMENT

3. NOTIFY SOMEONE OF HARRASSING COMMUNICATION: EMAIL, PHONE CALLS, ETC.

E. Maintain confidentiality

The Role and Responsibility of The Police Department:

A. Initial on-scene judgment of situations

B. Administering Administrative referrals, Removal of Student and or Arrests.

C. There is zero tolerance for students disrupting the learning environment.

In conclusion, the North Harris College family does not realize how important simply reporting behavior in need of correction is in regards to quelling potentially dangerous situations. As faculty and staff members you are entitled to an enjoyable and stress free work environment. It is the job of the Department of Public Safety to ensure these rights. Remember to document all incidents, notify the Police (x.5555), and get a supervisor involved swiftly as possible. We want to do all that we can to protect you in the case of an emergency. If you would like advice on how to handle disruptive or threatening students notify the Department of Public Safety and we will glad to provide you with helpful safety tips. Remember, we are here to assist but you have a role and responsibility as faculty and staff members to do all you can to get us involved as promptly as you can. Becoming familiar with proper responsive actions can be the difference in maintaining a positive learning environment at North Harris College.

Parking Update – September 2007

Welcome back for the fall semester at North Harris College!

We would like to offer you some helpful information concerning parking around the campus. For instance, did you know that there are specifically designated parking areas for faculty, staff, students and persons with disabilities throughout the campus? There are also parking areas in Lot B and K just for motorcycles! Our full time and regular part time employees are eligible for permits to park in Lot B and H. Permits for evening student employees (valid after 6 p.m. only) may be issued upon the recommendation of an associate dean, director, dean or vice president, for security reasons, when/if space is available.

It is important to park within the guidelines set forth by the Department of Public Safety because of the following fine schedule:

Offense	Amount
Speeding (10 mph over the speed limit)	Up to $130
Parking in a Prohibited Area-Fire Zones, 24 Hour Reserved, Faculty/Staff (Lot H and B) and Handicap Parking	$75 – $500
No Drivers License	$160
Failure to Stop at Designated Point/Stop Sign	$160
Expired Driver’s License	$105

Most citations written through North Harris College Department of Public Safety are sent to Harris County Justice Court, Pct.4, and Position 2. The address is 7900 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, Texas 77338-5849 and the phone number is 281.446.7191.

http://www.jp.hctx.net

Searching for Safety

by Bill Drees

Have you ever gone to an Internet search engine and entered the term “safety?” I think you will be amazed at the wealth of information and ideas that are available to you. I went to google.com and tried it out for myself over the Labor Day weekend. If you are interested is seeing the search results for yourself, click here.

The first link took me to the topic of safety on MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. On this Web site I found safety information for the home, work, garden, and camp ground. In addition the topics of crime, fireworks, and consumer products were included.

Other interesting links found on the google search included:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration – U. S. Department of Labor
National Safety Council
Office of Boating Safety – U.S. Coast Guard
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Campus Safety

by Richard Gregory

Campus safety is the number one goal of the North Harris College Police Department. District wide, we are continuing to increase our training efforts to become a trendsetter in preparing our officers for any emergency. Our officers were receiving specialized training long before the most recent tragedies we hear about today occurred. With this in mind, we would like to share with you some very important safety tips:

• Wherever you are, stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. Don’t daydream.
• Never leave your personal property unattended even if you’re going to be gone for just a minute.
• Never leave cars unlocked and unattended. This is inviting your belongings, including your car, to be stolen.
• Never give your keys or your student ID to anyone, even if they are your best friend or close colleague.
• Familiarize yourself with the campus emergency telephone numbers, which are ext. 5555 on campus and 281.618.5555 from your cell phone or outside phone line. There is also an emergency phone located at the NHC Department of Public Safety at the corner of Aldine-Westfield Road and Turkey Drive.
• Stick to well-lighted and busy areas. Stay on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways and alleys where people can hide.
• At anytime you feel you would like an escort to your car, please contact one of our officers. They would be glad to accompany you to your vehicle.

These are all helpful tips that could potentially assist you in an emergency situation or avoid loss or property or undue harm. Again, if you have an emergency please contact the Department of Public Safety emergency line at 281.l618.5555. There is always an officer on duty to assist you 24 hours a day. North Harris College Department of Public Safety is located at 20127 Aldine Westfield at Turkey Drive, Houston, Texas 77073.