McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY
The Clery Act requires the university to create and make available an annual safety and security report that includes certain crime statistics, arrests, and campus disciplinary actions.
This report is compiled based on input from law enforcement and faculty and staff who are designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSA). CSAs are university officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including but not limited to, student housing, discipline, and advising. This designation also includes any individual who has been specified by the university to receive and report offenses. CSAs are responsible for reporting the number of crimes and incidents as described in the Clery Act that occur in their department to the McNeese Police Department. These numbers are then included in the federally mandated Clery Report, which is posted on-line every year in the beginning of October.
Professional mental health and religious counselors are exempt from mandatory reporting requirements. CSAs are a vital part of data collection for the annual safety and security report and contribute to the McNeese Police Department’s philosophy of “See It, Hear It, Report It.”
CSAs are required by law to receive annual training and resources from the university. Each year, before Sept. 1, CSAs must review a training PowerPoint and document their attendance by attending a classroom presentation or by viewing the presentation below.
As a CSA, you are responsible for reporting criminal incidents that occur on campus or on McNeese State University affiliated property to the McNeese Police Department.
Criminal activity that must be reported includes: aggravated assault, alcohol violation (including minor in possession), arson, burglary, drug violations, hate crimes, homicide, motor vehicle theft, robbery, sexual assault, weapon violations (e.g. possession, brandishing). In addition, the crime must occur on campus (including student housing), at a McNeese State University affiliated property (e.g. McNeese Farm, CAMPP, etc) or on the public property streets adjacent to the main campus.
Visit the Clery Definitions page for more information on crime criteria and locations.
Keeping accurate crime statistics helps the University know where to provide prevention programs and safety awareness programs to help keep the campus safe. The intent of including non-law enforcement personnel as CSAs is to acknowledge that many individuals, and students in particular, are hesitant about reporting crimes to the police, but may be more inclined to report incidents to other campus affiliated individuals.
CSAs can either report incidents individually as they are recieved or all at once. McNeese Police provides a form to make a report of an incident, but CSAs are not required to use it to make a report. CSA are highly encouraged to immediately call McNeese Police to report any crime or suspicious activity.
Police business extension from a university phone: 5711
Police emergency from a university phone: 9911 (Connects you to the parish 9-1-1 center – ask for McNeese Police)
University police business line: 337-475-5711
Reports can also be made by activating any of the Emergency Blue Tower Phones on campus to summon the McNeese Police.
The McNeese Police Department is open 24 hours-a-day at 4497 Philip Williams Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70609.
Incidents are reviewed for duplication and to verify that each incident is Clery reportable. The incidents are then classified into their proper crime and geographical categories and added to the annual Clery statistics.
Please report it with as much detail as possible about the incident. The crime analyst will determine if it is a Clery reportable crime.
Making a report as quickly as possible to the McNeese Police is critical, as McNeese Police will always try to investigate all reports of crime that are received. However, the focus of all reporting is to ensure that crime victims receive aid, protection, police and support services.
In addition, data collection allows us to form a more accurate number of crimes on campus. This is a resource for the campus community to use to make informed decisions about their safety.
Yes, certain individuals are exempt from disclosing information:
The United States Department of Education is charged with enforcing the Clery Act and may level civil penalties against institutions of higher education if incidences are not reported.
Ms. Anna Grace Bizzle is an Academic Advisor for the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Secondary Education from Mississippi State University. Her favorite part of advising at McNeese is being a resource for students as they get used to the expectations of college and helping students pursue their degrees at such a wonderful school.