
Blinn College Security - Brenham Campus

The College Police and Security Department

The Blinn College Police & Security Department has the major responsibility for the safety and well-being of the students, faculty and staff members at the college.

Department personnel are sensitive to the special nature of a college campus and especially to students, who are generally young and on their own for the first time. This calls for a safe and orderly environment so all members of the community may fulfill their individual missions.

The state certified police agency employs five commissioned officers, and a number of support staff.

Their authority extends to more than 62 acres and the various buildings that make up the Blinn College-Brenham campus. The well-trained officers investigate all criminal incidents on campus, carry firearms and make arrests. They also provide emergency first aid and CPR.

The College Police cooperate with other law enforcement agencies at the city, county, state and federal levels. This includes police communications, a computer system accessing nationwide records, coordination of special events and a mutual assistance program.

The College Police Department, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, monitors criminal offenses committed off campus by Blinn employees and students. The department reports such incidents to appropriate college officials.

The department offers these additional services:

Nighttime escorts;
Patrols throughout the campus; and
Response to a network of fire, smoke and intrusion alarms.

Other Safety Resources

Fire services - The Brenham Fire Department responds to fire calls and activation of alarms on campus.

Medical emergencies - In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 for the city's Emergency Medical Service or go to Trinity Medical Center located south of the main campus on Medical Parkway.

Reporting Crimes and Emergencies - The College Police Department and the Division of Student Services encourage the reporting of all criminal offenses. The College Police Department offers the following methods of summoning assistance:

Blinn College Police & Security Department - 979/830-4100
Emergency response - 911
Smoke and fire alarms (College Police and Brenham Fire Department response.)

Crime Awareness and Prevention

Students must assume responsibility for their personal and property safety. Of the few incidents, thefts, often the results of carelessness, make up the majority of criminal activity on the Blinn College campuses.

Any suspicious person, vehicle, act or incident should be reported to the College Police Department or other college official as soon as possible. Always be aware of your surroundings and travel with companions when possible.

Crime witnesses, especially victims, can receive free counseling through several agencies such as the Blinn College Counseling Service, Victim's Assistance Program and the Rape Crisis Center of Brazos County.

Security of Campus Facilities

Blinn College's buildings and grounds are well maintained and their security receives constant attention. The landscaping and outdoor lighting on the campus are designed for the safety of the students, faculty and staff.

The Blinn campus has an open design and some facilities, including the bookstore and library, are open to the general public. Some academic buildings are open during evenings and weekends.

To ensure maximum safety under such circumstances, the administration does the following:

Limits access to academic and administrative areas to those students and employees who have a legitimate reason to be there;
Requires keys or pass cards to gain access to many areas of the campus; and
Limits classroom and laboratory attendance to individuals enrolled in the classes that meet in those facilities.

Alcohol, Drugs and Weapons

Alcohol

The use, possession and distribution of alcoholic beverages on the Blinn campus must comply with Texas law and with college policies and rules.

The purchase, possession, consumption or transportation of an alcoholic beverage by anyone under the age of 21 is forbidden.

Violations result in criminal citations or arrest.

Drugs

The medically unsupervised use, possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of drugs classified as illegal is prohibited by state law. Any violation on campus is vigorously investigated by the College Police.

Offenses occurring off campus are investigated by the police agency with jurisdiction.

Weapons

State law prohibits the possession, carrying or use of illegal weapons or firearms on the Blinn campus or property controlled by the college.

The only exception is for authorized law enforcement officers or other persons specifically authorized by the college or law.

Violations are prosecuted as felonies. Student violations may also result in disciplinary action.

Crime Information and Statistics

The College Police Department makes a daily crime report available to the media, the public and various campus offices identifying the type, location and time of each crime reported. The department also completes a monthly crime report available upon request.

All major crime statistics are submitted to the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Those agencies, in turn, publish them for the news media and other interested parties. These statistics also are reported annually by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sexual Assault

In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 Blinn College has published a brochure for student and employees defining sexual assault, educational programs, reporting and enforcement procedures, sanctions for the offender, victim options and support services.

9-911

You must dial a "9" if dialing from a campus phone to an off-campus emergency number.

College Police Department

979-830-4100

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