Crime Prevention

Otterbein College is dedicated to eliminating and/or minimizing criminal activities through the eyes and ears of all faculty, staff, students, friends and neighbors of the campus community.

Crime prevention brochures and other printed materials are available at the Security Office for the entire Otterbein College community. Crime Prevention programs emphasizing security and safety procedures for students and faculty/staff members are available upon request. Crime Prevention and Security briefings are presented to orientation parents and students at all orientation sessions prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter.

In addition, the following services are provided:

Security Officers provide escorts, when requested.
Residence halls, along with Academic and Administrative buildings are patrolled on a regular basis.
19 Emergency telephones are strategically located throughout campus.
Facility surveys of exterior lighting, exterior doors, landscaping, and grounds are conducted.
Identification by serial number reporting of valuable personal items, such as stereos, televisions, and computers, is recommended to all students and faculty/staff. An engraving tool is available from Security for use by any student, or faculty/staff member.
Fire alarms are monitored by the both Security and Service Departments.

Upcoming Presentations/Events

May 7 - Active Shooter Phases One and Two from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Roush Hall Room 330
May 7 - Alcohol Decisions from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Clements Hall Lounge
May 8 - Drugs and the Law at Hanby Hall Lounge from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
May 14 - Active Shooter Phases One and Two from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Roush Hall Room 330
May 15 - Active Shooter Phase Three from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Room 133 of the Rike Center
May 19 - Living Off Campus at the Suites from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (with Julie Saker, and John Bokros/Ed Unger from the City of Westerville)
May 21 - Active Shooter Phase Three from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Room 133 of the Rike Center
May 28 - Active Shooter Phase Two from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Room 110 of Towers Hall

Online Presentations (requires Powerpoint)

Student Fire Safety Tips

Active Shooter Training

Available Presentations

The following presentations are available. Please contact Sgt. Daniel Pierron at (614) 823-1695 or dpierron@otterbein.edu to schedule a presentation.

Introduction to Crime Prevention
Program Length: 50 minutes
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion

General crime prevention tips will be presented in the following areas: property theft, identity theft, sexual assault crimes, strangers/solicitors in residence halls, alcohol and drugs, date-rape drugs, fire safety, emergency preparedness, and weather emergency plans. The community approach to crime prevention will be emphasized. This is a broad overview of safety and security on campus.

Crisis Response on Campus - Active Shooters (Phase One)
Program Length: One hour (or longer)
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion

College and university incidents, common suspect characteristics, law enforcement's response during an incident, and survival tactics for students, faculty and staff in residence halls, academic and administrative areas will be emphasized. The discussion will also include information on the growing trend of violence on campuses, bomb threats, and international and domestic terrorism.

Crisis Response on Campus - Active Shooters (Phase Two)
Program Length: One hour (or longer)
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, practical

Set in a classroom environment, students will learn and practice how to respond in the event of a shooter or other crisis occurring in their building or classroom. Barricading or locking the doors, attacking the shooter, securing weapons, and other important safety issues will be discussed.

Crisis Response on Campus - Active Shooters (Phase Three)
Program Length: One hour and 30 minutes (or longer)
Methods of Instruction: Practical

Self-defense techniques designed to teach students to react when confronted with deadly force. Securing weapons and suspects, escaping holds, pressure point strikes, and incapacitating suspects will be emphasized.

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
Program Length: 50 minutes
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion, role-playing

The thrust of the lecture will be presenting the criminal, civil and emotional ramifications of sexual assault. Pre-planning and appropriate decision-making will be emphasized, as well as guidance to victims for healthy recovery. Guest instructors such as police officers, sexual assault nurse examiners, and victims of assaults may be instructors.

Date-Rape Drugs
Program Length: 50 Minutes
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion
Students will receive a detailed explanation of various date-rape drugs. The lecture will discuss drug identification, effects of the drugs, as well as strategies to implement if someone becomes a victim. Prevention options will also be reviewed.

Personal Protection and Self-Defense Options
Program Length: Two to four hours
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, practical hands-on

The program will provide options for male and female students who are physically attacked. The options will include verbal and physical responses to assault. Appropriate use of force levels will also be presented to protect against civil liability. Appropriate gym clothes should be worn for hands-on training. Safety for all students will be emphasized.

Alcohol Decisions
Program Length: 50 Minutes
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion

Alcohol discussions will include the following areas: DUI/OVI, date-rape, crime, Otterbein College approach, Ohio liquor laws, serving minors, and physiological effects of alcohol on the body.

Drugs and the Law
Program Length: One hour
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, discussion

Otterbein College Student Judicial Council and the Ohio Revised Code's interpretation of illegal narcotic use, possession, manufacturing, sales, etc. The presentation will also address date-rape drugs and alcohol.

Spring Break Survival
Program Time: 50 minutes
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, role-playing

Students will receive current crime information on various travel destinations, basic travel safety tips, current FAA, U.S. State Department, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines, as well as a quick overview of alcohol and date-rape drug dangers. Registration is required to allow for research of travel destinations.

Internet Safety and Identity Theft
Program Length: 45 minutes
Method of Instruction: Lecture

Students will be introduced to the fastest growing crime in America. The thrust of the training will include identity theft crimes, protecting the student from identity theft, and what to do if one becomes a victim. Other discussion topics include social websites (facebook.com, myspace.com, etc.), cyberscams, and ways to protect your computer.

Personal Protection for Women
Program Length: Four hours
Methods of Instruction: Practical with some lecture

Instructed by the Westerville Police Department, women will be taught the safest way to respond, and escape physical assaults from larger, stronger suspects. Students should wear gym clothes and be prepared to roll on the ground with training partners. Safety for all students will be emphasized. The class is limited to the first 30 women registered.

Residence Hall Fire Safety
Program Length: One hour
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, practical

Sgt. James Teegarden of the Otterbein College Security Department, Chief John Bokros of the Westerville Fire Department, or other Westerville Fire Department officers will conduct the training. The thrust of the presentation will include fire hazards in residence halls and the evacuation procedures.

Residence Hall Smoke Out
Program Time: Two hours
Method of Instruction: Practical

Officers of the Westerville Fire Department will use a smoke machine to emit smoke into a residence hall. The smoke will consume the hall, and students will be trained to safely exit the hall despite being impaired by smoke.