Crime Prevention
Your Safety Matters
Campus Crime Prevention Guide
The safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors are a priority at McNeese State University. Through the assistance of several other university departments, every effort is made to better serve the university community and provide a safe environment.
Although McNeese does not experience serious crimes often, it is a large, university campus on which serious crimes may occur. In any given semester, McNeese has about 7,000 students and 1,000 full and part-time employees on campus – more than the size of some small cities. In addition, McNeese is located in the city of Lake Charles, a fast-growing city with a population of more than 70,000.
Reporting Crimes or Emergencies
A truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of all students, faculty, and staff. If you are involved in an emergency situation, are the victim of a crime, witness any criminal activity, and/or in need of assistance, you are urged to notify the McNeese Police Department as soon as possible by dialing 911 or 337-475-5711.
Off-campus crimes may be reported to the Lake Charles Police Department or the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Both of these law enforcement agencies can be reached by dialing 911.
Safety Programs
To help protect students who need to reach a particular destination on campus after dark, the department provides an escort service. The service operates seven days a week, 24-hours a day.
Police ATV Patrol
The department may utilize ATVs to supplement vehicle and foot patrol as part of its overall effort to make the campus safe. The bike patrol enables officers to cover more areas and allows for quick response should the need arise. Officers are also better able to talk with students, faculty, and staff on bike patrol.
Crime Stoppers
McNeese works in conjunction with the Calcasieu Parish Crime Stoppers program. Crime Stoppers serves the community as an informant interaction system whereby the public is invited and encouraged to provide valuable information that might lead to the arrest and possible conviction of criminals. Participants who call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 337-439-2222 remain anonymous. The value of rewards range from $25 to $1,000 depending on the crime.
Safety Policies
The university makes every effort to ensure that the campus facilities, buildings, and grounds are designed and maintained in such a way as to promote safety and reduce criminal opportunity. Particular attention is paid to the design of landscaping and exterior lighting.
Use of University Facilities
With the exception of events that are open to the general public, the university’s facilities and programs are generally reserved for students, faculty and staff of the university. For the safety of the McNeese community, visitors and non-university affiliated groups seeking to utilize university facilities must make prior arrangements with the appropriate university office. Visitors and guests to McNeese residence halls must also be registered by their hosts while in the residence halls.
Residence Halls
Procedures to ensure safety within residence halls include limited access through main doors only. Procedures for guest visitation have been established in accordance with McNeese residence hall guidelines. Residence halls are equipped with fire safety equipment that includes smoke detectors and/or heat sensors that activate the central fire alarm system. In residence halls, emergency exits are equipped with alarms that sound whenever opened. Residence hall staff are trained to maintain security and to summon police, fire, medical, and maintenance assistance when needed. Criminal activity observed within or in the vicinity of buildings is reported to the McNeese Police Department. Firearms, explosives, fireworks, or other hazardous materials are not permitted in or around residence halls or university apartments.
Academic and Administrative Buildings
Academic and administrative buildings are secured by university personnel. Hours of security may vary from building to building, depending on use. Like the residence halls, these buildings are equipped with fire safety equipment that includes smoke detectors and/or heat sensors that activate the central fire alarm system.