Response to Homeland Security

This notice is not intended to induce fear and panic. It is designed to have the college community go about their normal business while being particularly attentive to their surrounding.

Every member of our campus community has the responsibility to work towards creating a safe and secure campus. The heightened security in the United States means that people should be particularly attentive of their surroundings as they go about their normal business. Middlesex County College’s response to homeland security should be one of awareness, but not one of fear or panic. Below are responses to the most frequently asked questions.

Q: How is Middlesex County College preparing for homeland security?

A: The College has an emergency response plan, which has been prepared in conjunction with campus staff, Edison Township Police and Fire Departments, and the Middlesex County office of Emergency Management.

Q: Is Middlesex County College prepared for different kinds of emergencies?

A: The college is prepared for various emergencies that include medical emergencies, security emergencies, evacuations, weather-related situations, and other needed emergency responses. Through the cooperation of the college’s Police, Department of Health and Safety, Edison Police and Fire Departments, Middlesex County of Emergency Management.

Q: What can I do to help right now?

A: It is important for members of campus community to be especially observant and report unusual or suspicious behavior to the Campus Police in a timely manner. Such behavior could include:

• People in buildings or areas who do not appear to be conducting legitimate business.
• Unauthorized personnel in restricted or private areas.
• Persons abandoning parcels or other itmes in unusual locations.
• Account for and secure your keys. Don’t leave them unattended or give them to unauthorized persons. Report lost or stolen keys to Campus Police.
• Account for and secure sensitive deliveries in a timely manner.
• Secure all areas when not attended.
• Be aware of unfamiliar persons in or visitors to your office/lab.
• Protect access codes or combinations. Change codes regularly. Report compromised codes/combinations to person in charge of the area immediately.
• Be prepared: Take time out to familiarize yourself with building exits and routes to reach exits.
• Report suspicious tampering with physical security (doors, locks, etc.).
• Advise the Campus Police of staff who work after-hours.
• Don’t prop open or compromise building entrance doors/windows. Rectify these situations when you observe them.
• Account for and secure all sensitive material/information when not able to attend to it.
• Talk with co-workers, know what is out-of-place (unclaimed items, etc.)
• Report persons monitoring areas, buildings or entrances.
• Be aware of persons requesting information who have no need of it.
• Be aware of persons wearing clothing not consistent with the weather conditions at mass population events (bulky coat in warm weather, etc.).
• Report persons attempting access to utility locations (water, electrical, petroleum, telecommunications, information systems).
• Report multiple persons who appear to be working in unison, committing the above.

Vehicles to be Alert to:

• Abandoned vehicles
• Vehicles parked near buildings/public and common areas
• Unexpected/unfamiliar delivery trucks
• Unfamiliar vehicles parked for long periods
• Persons in vehicles “casing” buildings/areas
• Vehicles operating in closed areas
• Vehicles containing unusual/suspicious parcels or material
• Vehicles arriving and being left behind at odd hours
• Substances leaking or spilling from vehicles

Q: Who should you call if you notice suspicious behavior?

A: You should call the Campus Police at extension 2500, or by utilizing the college’s Emergency Call Boxes located in all of the classroom buildings and outside in Parking lots 1, 4, 5, 6, 6A and in front of West Hall and Johnson Learning Center.

Campus safety is the responsibility of every community member. As you go about your daily routine, we ask you to be observant and to do your part to help maintain a safe campus. If you have any question regarding security, please contact campus police at extensions 2500 or 3500.