Campus & Community Safety

Page banner featuring officers at a community event and the text "Here to Serve"

Crime Prevention

One essential ingredient of any successful crime prevention program is an informed public.

Southwestern Community College District seeks to inform students, faculty, and staff members in a timely manner of any criminal activity or security problem that may pose a reasonable threat to their safety. Such information will be distributed to students through this report, newsletters, posted notices, District email, student publications, the District’s website, and through emergency and timely warning notification. The College Police Department posts crime alerts and other safety-related information on its website.

Enrolled students are automatically registered to receive notifications and alerts concerning their safety on campus. We advise you to keep your registered contact information up to date so you can stay informed.

Emergency Blue Poles

The Emergency Blue Poles are communication devices that enable our students, faculty, and staff to alert College Police about emergency situations. They are located on the Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, San Ysidro, and Crown Cove locations, in parking lots, on buildings, and in common areas. 

To activate, press the red button or press the disability activation bar. Afterwards, the police dispatcher answers, “What is your emergency?” Advise the dispatcher of your emergency situation. The blue strobe light atop the device will activate to show responding police officers your location.

For more information, check out our Emergency Blue Pole Flyer (English). For Spanish speakers, check out our Emergency Blue Pole Flyer (Spanish).  

Reporting Crimes

Contact the College Police Department if you have been a victim or a witness of crime or criminal behavior, disturbances, and circumstances that involve violence, the threat of violence, medical or mental health distress or other emergencies.

You may also report crimes to a Southwestern College Campus Security Authority (CSA), identified as an individual employee or college organization that has a significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Campus Security Authorities include all Administrators and Management personnel, College Police personnel, faculty advisors to student groups, and athletic coaches.

Reporting Non-Criminal Safety Hazards

If you come across a non-criminal safety or environmental hazard, refer to the Environmental, Health & Safety page and contact our Safety Coordinator in the Facilities department.

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking

Southwestern Community College District is sensitive to those who report domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We inform individuals about their right to file criminal charges, as well as the availability of:

  • Counseling 
  • Health services 
  • Mental health services
  • Other services on and/or off campus 
  • Additional remedies to prevent contact between a plaintiff and an accused party, such as academic, living, transportation, and working accommodations and protective orders

The District will make such accommodations, if the victim requests them and if they are reasonably available, regardless of whether the victim chooses to report the crime to College Police or local law enforcement.

Victims are encouraged to report the incident to College Police at (619) 482-6380, District Administration, or local law enforcement. Although strongly encouraged to report, victims have the right not to report crimes to law enforcement and decline any of all involvement with the police.

The Southwestern Community College District will protect the identity of persons who report having been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking to the fullest extent of the law.