Right To Know

In accordance with the Federal Campus Safety and Security Act of 1990 and the Pennsylvania College and University Security Act of 1988, all incidents are tabulated and recorded in the College Safety and Security brochure. The Annual Security Report is available online, and copies are also available in the Security office.

Crime Statistic Reporting

The statistics which appear under the heading "Crime Statistics" show the number, rates, and types of incidents reported for the most recent calendar years at each campus. Calendar years extend from January 1st through December 31st. The rates cited were calculated per 100,000 FTE's (Full Time Equivalent) students and staff.

As an example:

If there were 18,979 FTEs and 10 assaults were reported, then the rate would be calculated as follows:

100,000 = 5.3 X 10 (Assaults) = 53
18,979

This is to say that there are 53 assaults on campus for every 100,000 FTE students and staff.

These rates are for your use when comparing similar reports from other local institutions of higher education.

Community College of Philadelphia reports its statistics annually to the Pennsylvania State Police and U.S. Department of Education.

The Office of Student Life and the Campus Security work closely regarding any situation involving students that might require emergency response or law enforcement intervention. Reports are shared between the offices regarding any student arrested or accused of a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct, which could have an impact on the College Community.

All incidents should be promptly reported to the nearest security officer or contact SECURITY EMERGENCY (X5555) or dial 215-751-8111 to reach the Department's communications center. Phones are located in corridors throughout the main campus and regional centers for convenience. For each incident reported, an investigation is conducted and a complete file is created. If warranted, the Philadelphia Police Department is contacted for assistance.

Definitions:

To assist you in understanding the categories referenced in the tables we are providing the following descriptions of some of the major crimes as defined by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting system:

Murder

The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

Negligent Manslaughter

General rule: A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter when as a direct result of the doing of an unlawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, or the doing of a lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, he causes the death of another person.

Grading: Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Where the victim is under 12 years of age and is in the care, custody or control of the person who caused the death, involuntary manslaughter is a felony of the second degree.

Forcible sex offences/rape

The carnal knowledge of a person forcibly and/or against that person's will, or not forcibly or against that person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity; or an attempt to commit rape by force or threat of force.

Robbery

The taking, or attempting to take, of anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody, or care of another person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear of immediate harm.

Theft

The unlawful taking of the property of another with intent to deprive that person of ownership.

Aggravated assault

An unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury, involving broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness. Note that an unsuccessful attempt to commit murder would be classified as an aggravated assault.

Burglary

The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Note that a forced entry is not a required element of the offense, so long as the entry is unlawful (constituting a trespass) it may be accomplished via an unlocked door or window. Included are unsuccessful attempts where force is employed, or where a perpetrator is frightened off while entering an unlocked door or climbing through an open window.

Motor Vehicle Theft

The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Arson

A person commits a felony of the first degree if he intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion, or if he aids, counsels, pays or agrees to pay another to cause a fire or explosion, whether on his own property or on that of another, if:

  • he thereby recklessly places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, including but not limited to a firefighter, police officer, or other person actively engaged in fighting the fire; or
  • he commits the act with the purpose of destroying or damaging an inhabited building or occupied structure of another; and if
  • the fire or explosion causes the death of any person, including but not limited to a firefighter, police officer or other person actively engaged in fighting the fire, and is guilty of murder of the first degree if the fire or explosion causes the death of any person and was set with the purpose of causing the death of another person.