Public Safety and Security

Office: Pitkin Education Center, Room L-154
Website: https://bergen.edu/current-students/student-services-departments/public-safety/
Phone: (201) 447-9200
E-Mail: publicsafety@bergen.edu
Confidential Tips Line: (201) 689-7070

The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to provide and maintain a safe and secure atmosphere for all members of the College community.
The function of the department is varied and includes, but is not limited to unbiased and fair enforcement of the College’s rules and regulations, responding to calls for non-enforcement services, active patrol of the campus, and serving as public relations contacts.

Public Safety - The Office of Public Safety

The Public Safety Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Public Safety Officers provide assistance and protection to persons and property for the College.

They maintain orderly conditions and take measures required to assure observance of the law.

Its employees utilize foot and vehicle patrols to observe, report, and respond to situations or activities with potential to pose a danger to persons or property.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS ARE UNARMED AND DO NOT HAVE POLICE POWERS OR THE POWER TO MAKE ARRESTS.

There are no memorandums of understanding regarding any topics, including the investigation of criminal incidents, between BCC and the Bergen County Sheriff’s department.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department maintains a substation at Paramus and Lyndhurst Campus.

Public Safety - The Office of Public Safety

The Office of Public Safety is located in Room L-154, on the main campus in Paramus, and open for emergencies 24 hours a day; its telephone number is (201) 447-9200.

The campus is patrolled by officers at all times to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Violations of campus regulations, criminal laws, or any emergency must be immediately reported.

Safety and Fire Regulations

Bergen Community College observes all safety and fire regulations and supports the local agencies charged with the responsibility for their enforcement.

In the event of an emergency situation requiring evacuation of the facilities, alarms will be sounded throughout the buildings.

Students are instructed to take their personal belongings with them and immediately leave the building by the nearest stairway. Do not use the elevators.

Parking and Traffic Regulations

Parking and Traffic Regulations

The county and municipal police, as well as campus public safety officers, enforce all traffic and parking regulations on campus.

Students violating traffic and parking regulations on campus are subject to fines, penalties, and/or disciplinary action that could lead to suspension or dismissal from the College.

Parking Permit Decal

Students planning to use campus parking facilities must obtain a parking permit decal for their vehicle. Extra cars may be registered at a cost of $5.00 each.

This sticker is obtained after proper registration of the vehicle has been completed at the Department of Public Safety, Room L-154, on the College’s main campus in Paramus, or you can apply for a decal online using the Parking Decal Request Form.

Students must present a valid driver’s license and the current bursar’s receipt, and/or I.D. Card.
Continuing Education and Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) students should go to Room B-119, on the College’s main campus in Paramus, to fill out a decal form and receive their Parking Decal Sticker.
Parking is permitted only in designated areas.
Individuals violating college regulations are subject to fines as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Regulation Booklet.

Parking

Student parking is available in lots A through E and G where specified. Unless given advance authorization and permit by Public Safety (Room L-154), use of all other parking areas is prohibited.
Parking along curbs, fire, handicapped or medical zones, and loading/unloading areas is prohibited.
Disabled or severely injured students can make arrangements for special parking privileges at the Department of Public Safety.
The application for temporary medical parking is available in the Health Services Office.

Demonstrations

The philosophy of Bergen Community College is to encourage freedom in the expression of ideas presented in a scholarly and law- abiding manner. Demonstrations that interfere with the daily operations of Bergen Community College or cause personal injury to individuals or damage to property will not be permitted on campus. Students involved in the planning or implementation of such a demonstration shall be subject to disciplinary action by the College and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The President is authorized to employ the process of criminal and civil law to terminate any campus disruption and to restore college function and prevent injury to persons or property. The college permits demonstrations when conducted in accordance with the following conditions:

1. That they are not designed to and do not interfere with the daily operations of Bergen Community College;
2. That they are not designed to and do not cause personal injury to individuals or damage to property;
3. That they are limited to exterior areas (sidewalks and lawns); no activity will be permitted inside college buildings or in doorways leading to buildings. There shall be no interference with building or campus ingress and egress. The demonstration must be conducted without harassment and without detaining any individual on or off campus.
4. That the intention to hold a demonstration and all its particulars must be filed 48 hours in advance of the event. The statement of intention must include date, time, and location of demonstration, purpose of the demonstration, approximate number of participants, type of activity involved (e.g., picketing, distribution of leaflets, chanting) and names of three individuals responsible for maintaining reasonable order.

Emergencies

All emergencies, accidents, or injuries which occur on College property are to be reported to the Public Safety Department (Room L-154) or the Health Services Office (Room HS-100) within 48 hours of the accident.
In the event that any condition threatens to close the College temporarily, listen to the following broadcasting stations for official instruction: WCBS/880, WOR/710, 1010 WINS, WVNJ 1160, and Cablevision/ NEWS 12 NJ, or log on to the College’s web site, http://www.bergen.edu

Reporting a Crime, Emergency Situation, or Violation

How to Report a Crime, Emergency Situation, or Violation of Bergen Community College:

1. The policies of Bergen Community College, which are enforced by the Public Safety Dept., are made known to students, faculty, and staff through College publications, including the Emergency Handbook and the webpage.
2. To report a crime, emergency or violation
   • In Paramus Campus call Public Safety at 201-447-9200 (or ext. 6 if using an internal BCC phone) or come to the Public Safety Office located on the ground floor of the L wing, Room L-154.
   • At the Meadowlands Lyndhurst Campus call Public Safety at 201-301-1267 (or ext. 6 if using an internal BCC phone) or come to the Public Safety Office located on the ground floor Room 101.
   • At the Ciarco Learning Center Hackensack Campus call Public Safety at 201-301-9700 (or ext. 6 if using an internal BCC phone) or come to the Public Safety Office located on he ground floor Room 135.
3. Provide a clear description of what the incident was about, who was involved, where it took place, when it took place, and if you know how or why it came about. Be as specific as possible and give your own name and those of other witnesses.
4. IF THE EMERGENCY APPEARS TO BE IMMEDIATELY LIFE OR PUBLIC-SAFETY THREATENING, OR INVOLVES THE COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS CRIME, CALL 911. (CALLS FROM INTERNAL BCC PHONES MUST BE MADE BY DIALING 911).

Evacuation and Emergency Response

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

Emergency Evacuation

In every building on campus, there are exit signs and evacuation plans, which are affixed to the walls. You should become familiar with the exit routes and evacuation plans before an emergency occurs. In the event of an emergency, please remain calm, gather only what clothing would be required for the current weather conditions and exit the building.

DO NOT USE ELEVATORS IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY!

Emergency response is the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety. Should the situation demand further response, mutual aid is provided by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department. Public Safety will direct you further depending on the situation. If a different location for your safety is required they will coordinate that move. Evacuation drills are conducted each semester. During these drills, if you notice anything that may cause a safety concern during a real evacuation please notify the Department of Public Safety. These drills are also evaluated to make further improvements to the evacuation policy and procedure. Evacuation drills are not announced and are also conducted with volunteer Fire Wardens who act as support for the Department of Public Safety.

Evacuation Procedures

In the event of an emergency, please remain calm, gather only what clothing would be required for the current weather conditions and exit the building. Public Safety Officers and volunteer Fire Wardens are there to assist and ensure the evacuation is complete. Public Safety will respond and provide further directions, depending on the situation. If a different location for the students’ safety is required they will coordinate that move.

In case of a fire you should:

1. Activate building fire alarm system
2. Call 6 on any campus telephone. On cellular or off campus phone dial 201-447-9200 or 911.
3. Report the exact location of fire.

In the event that a fire alarm sounds, please follow these procedures:

1. Feel the closed door of your room:
   
   - If it feels hot or the hallway is filled with smoke DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Go to your window and wait for rescue.
   - If the door is cool, CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS before opening the door slowly.
    
2. Upon leaving the room, leave the lights on and the door CLOSED. Be sure to take your coat and key with you.
3. If you cannot leave the room:
   1. Open the windows if there is smoke; if there is no smoke, leave the windows closed to prevent outside smoke from being drawn into the room.
   2. Seal cracks around the door with towels, damp if possible.
   3. If you are trapped, attract attention by hanging an object from the window - the brighter the color, the better. If outside smoke is drawn in, close the window, leaving the object hanging.
4. If smoke is severe, place a wet cloth over your nose, and remember to stay low, close to the floor where it is cooler and the air is cleaner.
5. When you are evacuating a building:
   1. Walk at a brisk pace, but DO NOT RUN. Go to the nearest exit or stairway.
   2. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
   3. Follow the posted specific corridor instructions as to proper exit route and assembly point.
   4. Move in a single file along the wall upon which the exit is located. Once outside the building move at least 100 ft. away from the building.
   5. Do not reenter the building until instructed to do so by a Public Safety Officer or volunteer Fire Warden.

Emergency Notification System

All students and staff interested in receiving immediate notification on critical campus alerts must register for this new Emergency Notification System even if you were enrolled in the previous system.

This system provides text, email and voice notification services.
To sign up, go to www.bergen.edu/emergencyalert

Lockers

College student lockers are the property of Bergen Community College. Students may not use the property as a depository for any substance or object which is prohibited by law or college policy or which constitutes a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of any member of the College community utilizing this campus.

In emergency situations which constitute a threat to the safety, health or welfare of the College community, lockers will be searched.

Lockers are available for students and assigned by Public Safety.

The college assumes no responsibility for personal student property placed in lockers.

The cost for renting a locker for one semester is $4.00 or $7.00 for the year.

The student must provide their own padlock.

Lost and Found

Public Safety serves as the College lost and found area.

Parking

There are designated student parking areas available at all three campus locations.
Student parking is available in lots A through E and G where specified.

Unless given advance authorization and permit by Public Safety (Room L-154), use of all other parking areas is prohibited.
Parking along curbs, fire, handicapped or medical zones, and loading/unloading areas is prohibited.

Disabled or severely injured students can make arrangements for special parking privileges at the Department of Public Safety.
The application for temporary medical parking is available in the Health Services Office.

For more details about parking, traffic violations, parking permits/decal application process… please visit the Public Safety / Motor Vehicle Information Web page.

Pets on Campus

No pets, with the exception of service animals, are permitted on campus grounds or in campus buildings.
If pets are required for a classroom assignment or a planned part of an authorized campus activity, the owner must have secured previous approval from the classroom instructor or the Director of Student Life and Public Safety.

Visitors

Bergen Community College hosts many organizations and community activities throughout the year.
Visitors who do not have an appointment with a specific campus official should first report to the Department of Public Safety.
Visitors who are guests of current students are the responsibility of the host student and will be expected to abide by the policies and procedures set forth for all Bergen Community College students.
Visitors/guests will not be permitted to enter classrooms where instruction is being provided without prior approval by the classroom instructor.

Hours

Persons must leave the College buildings and grounds by 11:00 p.m, Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified; and Saturdays by 5 p.m.
When use of the College facilities beyond the limits set above is deemed necessary, approval must be obtained from the appropriate cabinet officer, and arrangements must be made in writing through the Office of Public Safety.