Public Law 101-542, also known as Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, requires education institutions to compile information and publish and distribute the crime and security statistics for its campus.
In accordance with this law, the Security Office of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico was created on April 2005. This office’s objective is to promote and provide for a safe academic and working environment, and to advise and keep the campus community informed about how to act in the event of criminal activity within the facilities and surrounding areas. It is the PUPR’s policy to protect the rights of all individuals and guarantee a safe environment for all students, prospective students, employees and campus visitors. As a preventive measure, it is established that all members of the campus community should conduct themselves with the utmost respect for each other and protect their belongings.
Our policy responds to the specifications included in the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.46 (Institutional Security Policies and Crime Statistics) of the Department of Education of the United States. Each individual in the institution has the right to be free from threats and violent acts, and has the responsibility to comply with all local, state and federal laws. Any person that has witnessed or been victim to a crime or any other emergency should immediately submit a complaint or report at the Security Office.
Mission
The Security Office of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico has the charge and responsibility of promoting an environment free of violence where a peaceful coexistence can be established among all areas of the academic community, thus fostering a healthy ambience for teaching and learning. As per our commitment with students and employees, we keep you informed of all activities, council meetings, and security policies, among others, in the following ways:
Internet websites
Emails
Bulletins
Lectures on prevention
Services provided by our office.
Vision
The Security Office seeks to be recognized as a model of excellence among our visitors, students and employees by contributing to the educational process by providing a safe environment.
Services
Services Offered by the Security Office to the Campus Community
Provides surveillance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Permits for vehicle access to the campus.
Implementation of measures for access control.
Provides identification cards for employees and students.
Encourages students, employees and visitors to keep continued vigilance for their own safety and that of their belongings.
Coordinates activities with all other offices.
Informs the campus community about the security policies in the PUPR via the distribution of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Security Manual.
Has the PUPR Security Manual available.
Publishes Campus Security Statistical Reports on a regular basis.
1. Notify the Security Office of any unusual incident, person or situation witnessed inside the campus.
2. Avoid walking alone in desolate or poorly lit areas.
3. Avoid parking your car outside the campus.
4. If you exit your car, even if it is for a minute, turn off the ignition and lock the doors.
5. When walking to your car, bring the keys in your hand.
6. During low traffic hours, bring a companion to isolated places such as bathrooms, stairwells and parking lots.
7. Park in well-lit places where there are other people.
8. Avoid carrying valuable jewels and other conspicuous items.
9. Do not leave valuable objects in plain sight, but do not wait until you get to your destination to put them in the trunk either.
10. Make sure you have your ID with you.
11. Get to know the emergency exits.
In Case of Fire
Recommendations in Case of Fire
Fires occur mostly due to people’s carelessness or negligence. Fires usually spread because people do not remain calm, fail to have extinguishers on hand, have no idea how to use them, or do not have basic training about fires.
The best way to avoid fires is through prevention. We can achieve this by following these general rules:
1. Do not smoke, nor allow others to smoke, near flammable material, such as stored paper, fluids, gases or any other easily ignitable material. Do not smoke either in poorly ventilated areas. Smoking in our premises is prohibited under Law 40, as amended.
2. If you have not been trained and are not capable of taking action, abandon the area and notify the Security Office immediately. (Ext. 111)
3. If the fire is in its initial phase and you are trained and capable to use the extinguisher, you may take action. Once the fire has been controlled, please notify the Security Office.
Remember that every case is different in its risks. Each area should have been assessed with a risk analysis, and the proper extinguisher must be accessible. In Annex V you will find recommendations and information on types of fires and the classification of extinguishers, their use and management.
In Case of Earthquake
Recommendations in Case of Earthquake
Of all natural disasters, the most feared ones are earthquakes. A catastrophe of this kind may happen at any moment, which is why we must take caution in all possible scenarios: home, workplace, school, etc. Earthquakes, apart from causing damages due to the earth’s movements, also cause fires, gas leaks, a rise in water levels for rivers and oceans, tsunamis, and fallen live electricity wires, which pose a risk of electrocution.
Preventive Measures:
Assess your home and workplace to IDENTIFY STRUCTURAL RISKS.
SECURE all doors, cabinets, equipment and hanging objects.
Do not store heavy items in high places.
EXITS must be clear from obstructions AT ALL MOMENTS.
Keep a LANTERN and replacement BATTERIES accessible.
Keep a MINIMUM amount of stored WATER for 3 – 5 days according to the amount of people who are usually at your workplace or home.
TALK ABOUT IT and discuss with your colleagues any possible scenarios, exit routes and appropriate actions in the case of a catastrophic event.
Recommendations during the event:
DROP, COVER AND HOLD. Protect your head and neck from possible blows with your hands. Identify a safe point in your area.
MOVE AWAY from windows and glass walls. They may break and cause wounds. DO NOT go outside. There may be falling objects.
DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
If you remain inside a structure, follow these rules:
Look for a small, narrow space and stay inside it.
If you can, place yourself by a strong piece of furniture or wall. If the main structure gives way, there will be an air bubble. Keep calm until help arrives.
Carefully LISTEN AND OBSERVE for structural damage, identifying dangers (gases, chemicals, etc) so that you can plan for an escape route as soon as the movement stops.
If you are in areas adjacent to structures, move away from them. There could be break-offs and you could be injured.
The best defense against these disasters is to lie face-down on the floor.
Recommendations for after the event:
No one should return to look for personal items or anything else.
If you are close to the sea, GET AWAY as much as you can. A tsunami may happen.
Keep calm and quickly check for injured or trapped people.
DO NOT make UNNECESSARY calls.
DO NOT TOUCH THE ELECTRIC WIRING.
Prepare yourself for possible aftershocks or subsequent tremors.
Abandon the structure and move away from all buildings.
Once the earthquake has passed, head to the meeting point to start re-counting people.
In Case of Threat of Explosive Devices
Recommendations in Case of Threat of Explosive Devices
We receive numerous calls on a daily basis, so we are exposed to receiving a threat or alarm of explosive devices at any moment. This is why it is important to be aware of the details we should watch out for.
RECEIPT OF CALL
When we receive a call with a threat of explosive devices, it is recommended to:
Keep calm and warn someone else (by signing or writing on paper).
Draw out the conversation as much as you can.
Be alert to distinguish sounds of music, voices, cars, etc.
Be attentive to characteristics that may distinguish the caller’s voice (like a particular accent, etc.) • Ask where the device is located and when is it set to explode.
Write down as much information as possible.
Notify the Security Office and the Department of General Services to activate the procedures.
SEARCH PROCEDURE
We will have previously assigned personnel who are acquainted with our facilities. They will be trained in the search for suspicious objects or packages that are out of place. This personnel will be activated by the Security Office.
If the assigned personnel identifies and confirms the presence of a suspicious object, they will activate the evacuation plan and notify the pertinent authorities.
If no device or suspicious object is found, security personnel will contact the Explosives Division of PR Police to receive final instructions.
The Security Office will be responsible of implementing the instructions and recommendations from the pertinent authorities.
If the Police determines this is a false alarm, there will be a notice to restore all services as soon as possible.
Policies and Procedures
PUPR Security Policy
Policy for Access Control
PUPR keeps an adequate control of access by following these steps as a policy:
An ID card will be issued to all employees, students and faculty members.
The student ID is required to be able to receive any services in our institution. We should all remember that this is an official PUPR ID. It may be required at any moment.
Access permits will be issued.
During working hours and special events:
During working hours and special events, we will allow the following to enter the university and its premises: visitors, students, employees, faculty members, suppliers, and service personnel to provide services within our facilities. They should comply with the following rules:
Everyone who has a motor vehicle access permit may enter the campus during working days, and during special events. They must park in the proper parking areas.
Motor vehicles without an access permit may enter once the purpose of their visit is verified and the driver’s name and vehicle information have been registered.
Outside of working hours
Everyone who wishes to enter our facilities outside of working hours will have to come in through the Alhambra street, where our security booth is located. The purpose of their visit will be registered.
If you are a student or employee, you must present your ID to obtain access.
Policy on Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Drugs
The use and handling of drugs is prohibited in our campus.
The Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico prohibits the illegal manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, transportation or use of any drug on behalf of its employees and students within their working areas, study areas, and physical facilities, including premises and parking areas. All university employees and students commit and are compelled to observe and comply with this policy.
The PUPR Policy on Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Drugs is available in the Office of Human Resources and the Vice-presidency of Enrollment Management and Student Services.
Program for a drug-free workplace and study area.
The Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico has established a program to notify students about the risks posed by substance abuse in study areas and/or any other areas within the university through a printed edition of the policy, available at:
Security Office
Office of Human Resources
Vice-presidency of Enrollment Management and Student Services
Policy on Possessing and Carrying Weapons
In our University, it is prohibited to possess and carry any type of weapons, inside the institution as well as in events outside the institution but supported by it.
This ruling does not apply to law-enforcement officials, municipal police, private security agents, and others, in an official capacity within the University.
Law-enforcement officials studying in our university should:
Notify the Head of Security about their carried weapon at the beginning of each quarter.
Keep their service weapon concealed at all times.
Policy on CCTV Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring
The usage of security cameras provides, to an extent, a continuous watch over the order and security of the university. This is why we would like to inform you that the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico has adopted a policy on CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) surveillance in all common areas, including all hallways in all buildings, entrances, exits, access areas, all computer classrooms, Library, Multipurpose Building, 24-hours classroom, Architecture, Finance, Integrated Services, classrooms in the Educational Technology Center, photocopier rooms, and the areas or the Plaza del Quinto Centenario.
Procedures to Notify Incidents or Crimes
Any incident, crime or violation to the Transit Rules, criminal acts in the premises and parking areas of our university, be it by action, inaction, or emergency situation that merits it, must be reported to security personnel as soon as possible.
Procedure in case of an incident or crime:
The victim or aggrieved part in an auto accident, or a witness, should notify this by phone or in person to security personnel, located in:
Security Office, in front of the indoor court.
any of the entrance gates of the university.
doing rounds in the university.
All incidents must be reported the same day.
Contact phone numbers are: (787) 622-800 ext. 263, 216 or cell phone number (787) 630-0240.
The Head of Security, or assigned personnel, is responsible for:
Investigating the incident.
Providing guidance about actions to take.
Submit an incident report.
The Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico guarantees absolute confidentiality in the investigation process. The report submitted to the Security Office does not compel nor prohibit the aggravated part(s) to take any additional actions.
In case the reported incident is a crime, the Head of Security will notify the PR Police so they will assume responsibility and carry out the investigation on the incident.
Procedures to follow in case you are a crime victim:
Immediately go to one of the following departments or officers:
Notify any university security officer, who will be properly trained and will initiate an investigation and corresponding report. PUPR guarantees that the entire process will be strictly confidential.
Go the Security Office, located in front of the Multipurpose Building, to report the incident.
Go to the Vice-presidency of Enrollment Management and Student Services to report the incident.
If the incident happens outside the University, call 911. If the incident happens inside the University, call (787) 622-8000 ext. 111.
During a criminal act:
Don’t run risks by doing gestures or motions that may put your life in danger.
If the individual demands that you don’t look at them, comply. Otherwise, carefully observe the individual.
If the perpetrator only tells you they’re armed, believe it and consider this person as dangerous.
Cooperate with the perpetrator. If you are told to lie on the floor, do it. If they ask you for money, hand it over.
If you recognize this person, do not let them know. Let the Police know afterwards.
Notice the individual’s characteristics.
Height, race, color, approximate weight, hair and eye color, attire, accent, whether they are foreign, moles, scars or deformities.
Try to remember their words.
Watch how they leave:
On foot
Bicycle
Motorcycle
Car, or any other means
Keep an eye on how many people participate in this criminal act.
If they used a vehicle, make note of: make and model, year, license plate, accessories, bumps and scratches, among other details.
