NCJ Number
160841
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 45-53
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article reviews applicable literature and substantively defines the necessary components for a campus security survey and its proper implementation.
Abstract
The initiation, analysis, and implementation of a security survey should be the first step in a progressive campus crime prevention program. A campus security survey should investigate the levels of existing security at the site, assess vulnerability to criminal opportunity, and make appropriate recommendations upon analysis of the findings. A security committee, composed of representatives of various campus groups, can assist the investigator in developing the security survey instrument. Harman contends that the documentation of security hazards can insulate the security or public safety department from liability. Notification of crime risks to the administration informs them of the concern of the campus community. Harman further suggests that the "probability of occurrence" and "criticality assessment" be included in the completed survey. The probability-of-occurrence attempts to determine the likelihood of a crime threat actually occurring. Criticality assesses the impact of a criminal act on the campus community. The probability-of-occurrence factors can be scaled as virtually certain; probable; possible, but unlikely; and probability unknown. The criticality assessment may be organized as fatal to operations, very serious, moderately serious, relatively unknown, and seriousness unknown. This ranking is important when deciding when, where, and how to allocate resources. After the implementation of a prevention program, a follow-up survey should be conducted to ensure that recommendations have been properly implemented by staff. 19 references