All Emergencies: 9-1-1

Dial 9-1-1 from any campus phone to connect directly to the campus police.
Use (707) 664-4444 for emergencies
placed using cell phones.

Emergency Info Hotline
1-888-533-5388

The University maintains this emergency information hotline for status updates for campus wide emergencies; e.g.,
flooding, earthquake, fire.

Emergency Preparedness

A Message from the Police Chief

On behalf of the staff of Police and Parking Services, I would like to welcome you to Sonoma State University. Police and Parking Services, located on the south side of Verdot Village, provides 24 hours a day police protection for the campus community. Sonoma State University Police Officers are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities, identical to the local police and sheriff in your home community. The officers are trained at a regional police academy and receive additional in-service and specialized training in first aid, CPR, firearms use, defensive tactics, legal updates, evidence gathering, traffic accident investigation, etc. We offer an array of services that include responding to emergencies, traffic accidents, conducting investigations, and the Community Oriented Partnership Policing Strategy (COPPS).

Police Officers actively participates in Community Oriented Partnership Policing Strategies (COPPS), whereby Officers are trained in specialized areas of expertise and are assigned to specific areas of campus. These officers serve as liaisons and conduct monthly presentations on sexual assault education and prevention, substance abuse education and prevention, defensive driving, CPR and first aid, safety and crime prevention, building and office security, alarm systems and bicycle patrol. Town Hall Meetings are conducted to solicit input from the campus community on how we can better serve you. Community Service Specialists are non-sworn uniformed personnel assigned specifically to patrol residential areas.

At Sonoma State University the safety of our community members is always at the top of our agenda. A truly safe campus can be achieved only through the cooperation of all students, faculty and staff. There are many people contributing to the safety and security of the SSU campus. The majority of crimes on campus are crimes of opportunity. This includes theft of bicycles, backpacks, computers, books and parking decals. The willingness of students, faculty and staff to secure their property and to report suspicious activity is essential to the prevention of these thefts. Here are some additional crime prevention tips:

Community Notifications

Crime statistics can be found on the web at Police and Parking Services. In addition to publishing an annual security report, the SSU Police Services informs the campus community about campus crime in a number of ways as follows:

Special Crime Alerts/Warnings

In matters where there is a threat to safety, the issuance of a timely crime alert, the information will be distributed throughout the campus and posted via the campus email system.

Communications Log

The Police Services Communications Center maintains a daily log of all department activity. The log is available for viewing upon request.

Crime Log and Media

Summaries of campus crime incidents are published in the STAR student newspaper. Police Services also works in partnership with the STAR and NEWSBYTES (for employees) to publish information related to crime and campus safety issues. The Daily Crime Log can be viewed at the University Police web site.

Parking

In addition to law enforcement services, we are also responsible for managing the campus parking program and the University Emergency Response Plan. The University Parking Policy can be found at the University Affairs web site.

A few items to keep in mind are that parking in the Residence Hall areas is restricted 24-hours a day to "RH" decals, and that University parking regulations are strictly enforced. There are nearly 5,100 parking spaces on campus. It is important that community members familiarize themselves with parking regulations, where to park, and required decals for the various types of lots.

Preparations

Emergency Survival Kit

The University highly recommends that each campus resident bring their own emergency survival kit with them when they move into the Residential Community. This emergency kit should include three days worth of supplies, such as water and food, basic first aid supplies, and any special need items. For more information on making an emergency kit and preparing yourself for 3 days, review our 3 Days Checklist (pdf) and visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security web site.

Specific Needs

Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their specific needs with their Residential Life Coordinator to prepare a plan regarding evacuation in the event of a campus emergency.

Training and Practice

The campus performs periodic evacuation drills and training on emergency response. The department has maintained very positive working relations with Housing Services and the Office of Residence Life to ensure that we are working in concert on many programs. Additionally, fire alarm apparatus are centrally monitored and polled for potential trouble signals or devices being "offline".

Evacuations

Residence Life Coordinators (RLC), Office of Residential Life staff, and Police Officers are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and responding to fire emergencies. In case of a fire, residents must remember to vacate the premises and summon assistance immediately. If a major emergency should strike, residents are directed to a residence evacuation area first, then to a campus "safe zone" for accountability and further instructions.

Important Contact Numbers

Emergency

911 (not to use with a cell phone)

SSU Dispatch

(707) 664-4444 (Use this number for emergencies placed on cell phones.)

Anonymous Tip Line

(707) 664-2910

Police Fax

(707) 664-2248

Web Address

Police & Parking Services at http://www.sonoma.edu/ps