Crime Statistics

Athens Technical College reports statistics on the following crimes and offenses annually:

• Criminal Homicide — murder and non-negligent and negligent manslaughter.
• Forcible or Non-forcible Sex Offenses — any sexual act directed against another person, forcible and/or against that person's will or not forcible or against that person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent (such as when the victim is intoxicated). This category also includes non-forcible sex offenses, which are acts of "unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse." This definition encompasses incest or statutory rape.
• Robbery — the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the control, custody, or care of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
• Aggravated Assault — an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. Usually, this offense occurs by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
• Burglary — the unlawful entry (breaking and entering) into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft.
• Arson — willful or malicious burning or an attempt to burn a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, or personal property.
• Motor Vehicle Theft — the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
• On-campus arrests for alcohol, drug, and illegal weapon violations.
• Certain referrals for campus disciplinary actions for alcohol, drug, or illegal weapon violations. If these referrals are included in the report as an arrest, the college does not need to report the referral under this category.
• Hate Crimes — crimes that fall into the above list, crimes involving bodily injury, or crimes reported to campus security or local police. Athens Technical College must report hate crimes by category of prejudice — race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability — as part of the campus crime statistics.

Furthermore, Athens Technical College must provide the following geographic breakdown of the crime statistics:

• On campus.
• In a non-campus building or on non-campus property.
• On non-campus public property including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, or parking facilities that are within the campus or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

Personal Safety and Crime Prevention

All members of the campus community share responsibility for ensuring their personal safety and securing their personal property. Athens Technical College places a priority on safety and security through its commitment to providing a safe and secure environment. The majority of crimes occurring on college campuses across the United States are preventable crimes of opportunity.

Following these safety tips helps reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime:

• Avoid dark, secluded places when alone.
• Walk with others, making sure to stay in well-lit areas.
• Lock car doors while on campus and keep valuables locked in the automobile trunks and/or out of sight.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you can be expected to return.
• Vary your route and schedule if you exercise outdoors on a regular basis.
• Do not overload yourself with books or other items; keep your hands free.
• Carry a purse close to your body, preferably in front, and be prepared to let it go if snatched.
• Give thieves what they want if you are confronted by thieves; do not pursue the thieves.
• Get a detailed description and call campus security at (706) 621-9860 or (706) 621-9817 on the Athens Campus or (706) 213-2100 on the Elbert County Campus or the police immediately. If the incident occurs at the Greene (706-453-7435) or Walton (770-207-3130) campuses, please notify the respective director or local police immediately.
• Never leave laptop computers, textbooks, cellular telephones, book bags, purses, or other valuables unattended in classrooms, the library, common study areas, or outdoor spaces.
• Head to an area with other people present if a stranger approaches you and you feel concerned or uncomfortable.

Students and employees should participate in safety seminars offered throughout the academic year. The director of student activities posts notices announcing these seminars on bulletin boards around campus, the electronic message boards, and the college website.