UNK believes that dissemination of information is the key to educating our community about the occurrence of crime on campus. Efforts are made to advise members of the campus community on a timely basis about university crime and crime-related problems. These efforts include the following
- Annual Report: An annual report of crime-related information is compiled. An e-mail is sent to university members telling them where to access the report.
- Uniform Crime Report: UNK Police and Parking Services Department quarterly submits crime statistics to the Uniform Crime Report published yearly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The yearly report provides detailed statistical information and is available at public libraries.
- Daily Crime Log: Police and Parking Services document a daily crime log that details the date, time, location, and description of crimes that occur on campus. This log is available to the general public at the Police and Parking Services Office, General Services Building, 2507 19th Avenue Kearney, NE and is maintained for a minimum of 60 days. Requests for crime log information in excess of the 60 day period will be honored within 2 business days.
- UNKAlert!: Is a notification system that allows the university to notify campus community members of a campus threat. Messages can be sent by e-mail, text message and phone.
The release of information to the public shall be in compliance with all federal, state and local laws.
Timely Warnings/Safety Alerts
In the event that a situation arises on campus that UNKPD becomes aware of and is a Clery reportable crime (Murder and non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, forcible and non-forcible sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson) and is considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus, a campus-wide “Timely Warning/Safety Alert” will be issued by the Director of Police and Parking Services or his/her designee. The issuance of Timely Warnings for non-Clery crimes will be done on a case by case basis taking into account the frequency of the offense and the likelihood for additional occurrences. The body of this “Timely Warning/Safety Alert” will include (if obtained) a short description of the crime or incident giving the time, date, location, suspect’s description, weapons used and the suspect’s vehicle. Information is released contingent upon the information not interfering with department operations, infringing on an individual’s rights or the violation of an existing law.
Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, these alerts can be provided through various media including the university e-mail system, the campus’ student newspaper, the office of Police and Parking Services “Safety Alert” web page at: http://www.unk.edu/offices/Police/Safety_Alert/ , the automated notification system (UNKAlert!) and flyers. In such instances, a copy of the notice will be posted in each residence hall at the front door. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the Police and Parking Services Office by phone at (308) 627-4811 or in person at 2507 19th Avenue in the General Services Building.
Immediate Notification/Safety Alerts
Upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of students or employees, the University will immediately notify the campus community of the situation.
The definition of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat is any situation which encompasses an imminent or impending threat to the campus. This includes but not limited to fires, serious health outbreaks, bombs, terrorist incidents, armed individuals, explosions, civil unrest and severe weather conditions such as tornados, blizzards and earthquakes that are likely to impact the campus.
When determining whether to make this notification the University will take into account any compromises the notification could make on their efforts to contain/ respond to the situation or to assist the victims. They will do this while taking into account the safety of the community.
When a member of the university community believes a significant emergency or dangerous situation exists they should notify the Police and Parking Services office at (308)627-4811, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance at (308)865-8427, the Director of Police and Parking Services at (308)865-8517, the Director of Residence Life at (308)865-8519, or the Emergency Operation Team’s Faculty Rep at (308)865-8518. Once one of the above individuals receives a report they shall without delay investigate and confirm the facts of the situation and determine who it will impact. The individual receiving and investigating the situation or their designee will craft a notification and send it to the affected population through UNKAlert! The notification will warn the affected area of the emergency and any precautionary steps to take if known.
Immediately thereafter administrative staff will be notified to include; University Communications, who will prepare and send all future communications and communicates to the larger community. During this process alternative means of communication other than UNKAlert! may be used to include but not limited to the University television scrolling, the university web page and local media.
Release of any and all information shall be contingent upon the information not interfering with department operations to contain or respond to the emergency, infringing on an individual’s rights, or the violation of an existing law.