Crime Alert Policy
Why is a Crime Alert issued?
Crime Alerts are issued in compliance with the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) . This act requires that a timely notice be issued when a:
occurs on Vanderbilt facilities/property and there is reason to believe that there is a threat to students and/or employees.
How is it determined if a Crime Alert is issued for a particular incident?
The determination on whether an incident is a threat is based upon the following four questions:
In addition, upon the discretion of the Chief of Vanderbilt Police Department or his designee, a crime alert may issued for any crime where there is a compelling need to get information to or from the Vanderbilt Community about a specific crime.
What are the guidelines for issuing a Crime Alert?
Crime Alerts are issued in compliance with the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) . This act requires that a timely notice be issued when a:
A. Murder
B. Sex Offense; forcible or non-forcible
B. Sex Offense; forcible or non-forcible
C. Robbery
D. Aggravated Assault
D. Aggravated Assault
E. Burglary
F. Motor Vehicle Theft
F. Motor Vehicle Theft
G. Manslaughter or
H. Arson
H. Arson
occurs on Vanderbilt facilities/property and there is reason to believe that there is a threat to students and/or employees.
How is it determined if a Crime Alert is issued for a particular incident?
The determination on whether an incident is a threat is based upon the following four questions:
- Is the incident in one of the above categories (A-H)?
- Did the incident occur in an area for which VPD must report statistics or at a location where VPD is the primary police responder (see map)?
- Is the suspect unknown?
- Did the incident by its nature (A-D, G) or during the commission of the intended incident involve a crime against a person (E-F) or in the event of arson (H) occurred in an occupied building?
In addition, upon the discretion of the Chief of Vanderbilt Police Department or his designee, a crime alert may issued for any crime where there is a compelling need to get information to or from the Vanderbilt Community about a specific crime.
What are the guidelines for issuing a Crime Alert?
- Crime Alerts should contain as much of the following information as possible:
VPD incident number and MNPD incident number
Date, time, location (general or specific) and summarized event description.
Suspect description and/or vehicle description
Any special instructions that may be needed
- Crime Alerts will be issued as soon as possible after the specific event. If the incident is a delayed report (more than 24 hours) by the victim then the time and date the victim reported the incident will also be included in the report.
- Provided the above guidelines are met, nothing should be included in the crime alert that would hinder an ongoing police investigation.
- The crime alert will not identify the victim by name or address.
- The general description of the location may be given such as, but not limited to, Vanderbilt University, dorm, geographic location, etc.
- Information about all crimes at Vanderbilt can be found on our daily crime report. Follow this link in order to view the Crime Report.
