SAFETY AND YOU

The Georgia State Police Department provides law enforcement, security and safety services to the university community and the immediate surrounding areas, ensuring a safe environment for our students, faculty and neighbors.

Georgia State boasts one of the largest university police forces in the state, with 171 officers across all six metro Atlanta campuses.

EMERGENCIES: 911

Campus Police: 404-413-3333

Non-Emergencies & Safety Escorts: 404-413-2100

Information Desk: 404-413-3234

Hearing Impaired: 404-413-3203

Building Access

In response to the request to limit building access, we are pleased to announce that we are piloting a program beginning Monday, Aug. 28, to add PantherCard swipe access to Atlanta Campus building exteriors after 8 p.m.

Follow the link below to learn more and see the list of buildings included in this change.

Personal Safety

Play It Safe At Georgia State

Avoid potentially dangerous situations by maintaining a complete sense of awareness. Planning ahead for responses to such situations allows one to remain confident while traveling around campus, home or any location. For any situation, it is important to consider prevention, preparation and action.

Campus Safety

Safety Video from President Blake

Message from our Chief Operating Officer

Message from Chief of Police

Prevention

Avoid becoming a target

People unknowingly engage in activities every day that make them more vulnerable to crime. Make yourself less of a potential target by incorporating some simple actions.

Travel on well-lit, busy streets and avoid walking through alleys.
Always trust your intuition and pay attention to warning signs, such as people watching you or quickly approaching.
Maintain complete awareness of your surroundings. Do not become distracted by using your cell phone or listening to your headset while walking.
Do not walk alone, especially at night.
Only take what you absolutely need with you when going out. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or multiple credit cards. Use backpacks to conceal laptop computers.
Remain confident, alert and in control. Avoid going out or walking home while intoxicated.

Use the Safety Escort Program

The Safety Escort Program offers mobile transport to campus and near off-campus locations during evening hours. Safety Escorts operate during the school year from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. when school is in session.

To request a Safety Escort:

Call 404-413-2100 from any campus or near off-campus location.
Call 3-2100 from any campus phone.
Flag down a Georgia State Safety Escort van or Georgia State police officer.

Be cautious at ATMs

Use machines in busy areas that are well lit.
Pay attention to those behind you and around you before making a transaction.
Be private about your personal identification number.
Never write your personal identification number on your card.
Remove your card from the machine when your transaction is complete.
Pressing 911 into the machine does NOT alert authorities to an emergency.

Preparation

Knowing how to respond to a potentially dangerous situation is just as important as knowing how to avoid one. Often, criminals catch victims off guard, allowing victims very little time to react. Thinking ahead about your response to such a situation and having a planned and practiced response will allow you to remain calm and focused.

Carry a personal safety device

Carry a safety whistle or other noise-making device and use it when you feel threatened. Noise attracts the attention of those nearby. Although yelling is often the most effective method of attracting attention, people often lack the ability to speak in crisis situations. Anyone can blow a whistle.

Attend a self-defense class or enroll in a crime prevention program

Self-defense classes are offered by Georgia State during the fall and spring semesters
The Georgia State Police Department offers Community Outreach Programs to educate students on how to avoid dangerous situations and what to do if one should arise.

Action

When in an uncomfortable situation, always trust your instincts. If necessary, defend yourself to the best of your ability. When presented with an avenue of escape, run to a safe place where people are present to help you. Near campus, safe places include residence halls, restaurants, businesses and the Georgia State Police Department, which is open 24 hours a day.

Use non-verbal self-defense

In an uncomfortable situation, be assertive.
Maintain eye contact with those who may attempt to confront you and do not let yourself get distracted.
Maintain a confident physical demeanor.
Maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from strangers.

Use verbal self-defense

Do not be afraid to tell someone to get out of your personal space.
If necessary, yell to attract the attention of those nearby.
Use direct commands, such as “Get back!” “Leave me alone!” or “Let me go!”

Protect yourself during robberies

If someone demands your property, give it to him or her. Do not resist. Maintaining your personal safety is more important than your backpack or cell phone.
If someone claims to have a weapon, believe him or her and surrender your property.
Throw your property in one direction and run away in the opposite direction to a safer place.
While running, attract attention by yelling.
If your assailant targets you instead of your property, remain calm and breathe. Think of your planned response, defend yourself and escape.

Vehicle Safety

Stay Safe on the Road

WHEN LEAVING

Be aware of your surroundings.
Walk with others to your vehicle whenever possible.
Carry your car keys when approaching your vehicle so you can enter quickly. For added safety, put your car and house keys on separate key chains.
Always check underneath your car upon approach and in the rear seat for intruders before entering your automobile.
If something or someone looks suspicious, leave the area immediately. Do not try to go to your vehicle.
Lock your doors immediately and keep windows rolled up whenever possible.

When driving

Keep all of your doors locked.
Drive on well-traveled and well-lit streets.
Leave enough room between your car and the vehicle ahead so you can drive around it if necessary.
If someone tries to enter your stopped vehicle, sound the horn and drive to a safe area before calling the police.
Never pick up hitchhikers or troubled motorists. If you want to help a troubled motorist, drive to the nearest phone and call the police. An accident may be staged.
If your vehicle breaks down, ask any person who stops to help to call the police. Do not allow any person access to you or your car. Roll down your window no more than an inch.
If you are involved in a minor collision in an isolated area, you may want to drive to a well-lit and populated area before stopping to assess your damage.
While driving, if you notice that you are being followed, do not go home. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or service station for help. If you are fearful of exiting your vehicle, honk your horn to draw attention to yourself.
Never leave your car’s engine running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car.
Limit distractions. Texting while driving is illegal.

When parking

Park in well-lit areas.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, find another place to park.
Do not leave valuable items visible in your car. Put them in the trunk or take them with you.
Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Never leave valuable documents in your car that could help a thief identify who you are or where you live.
Call ahead when driving to your home late at night and have someone watch you walk from your car to the residence.

Pedestrian Safety

The Pedestrian Safety Traffic Team was formed in 2002 in conjunction with Crime Prevention and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to assist with traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety within the campus and in downtown Atlanta. The team’s goal is to help ensure safety on the streets of Atlanta and to maintain a pedestrian-friendly traffic environment.

This unit emphasizes:

Pedestrian education for crosswalks
Distribution of PEDs pamphlets
Traffic stops and citations for moving violations
Jaywalking citations

Pedestrian Safety Tips and Georgia Law

A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of a traffic-control device. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-90)
The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-91)
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, another shall not overtake or pass such stopped vehicle.
A pedestrian shall yield the right of way to all vehicles outside a marked crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-91)
A pedestrian shall not suddenly walk in front of traffic when it is impractical for the driver to yield.
Where a sidewalk is provided, it shall be unlawful for a pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-96)
When making a turn, vehicles must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing legally inside a crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-21)

Crossing Streets Safely

Look both ways before crossing the street.
Look to see if cars are approaching the intersection to turn.
Be aware of what the traffic lights indicate.
Be attentive to the crossing signal and be mindful of its instructions.
Don’t walk in front of traffic when it is impractical for the driver to yield.
If you walk outside a crosswalk you must yield the right of way to vehicles.
Vehicles should stop and remain stopped to allow you to cross the roadway within a crosswalk.
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, watch for other vehicles approaching.

Preventing Crime Safely

Walk with confidence, shoulders back and head up. Look around, be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something does not look or feel right, stop to see what has triggered your fear. Do not ignore your instincts. They are your first line of defense.
Walk in groups. There is safety in numbers.
If you sense that you are being followed, change your direction or pace. If the person following you does likewise, seek a safe place where there are people and lights and bring attention to yourself. Try to remember an accurate description of the suspect.
Avoid undesirable areas or shortcuts. If you make a wrong turn, go back immediately. Don’t take chances.
If approached on the street, make brief, stern eye contact and continue walking. If someone insists on talking, acknowledge his or her presence with a nod and continue walking. Do not stop and engage in a conversation.
Never get into a vehicle, even if forced at the point of a gun. Your chance of survival on the street is better than in a vehicle or remote location of the abductor’s choice.

Remember, our streets are not just for cars.

We share them with pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit.

By knowing the rules, we can help make Atlanta’s streets safer.

Housing Safety

Safety is our number-one priority for our residents. The university staffs a 24/7 police substation in University Commons, where security officers monitor more than 600 cameras set up throughout our on-campus housing.

Residents in university housing must check in all guests and leave a government-issued photo ID at the community desk upon arrival. Guests will receive a wristband, which they are required to wear while in the building. Residents must escort their guests at all times and are responsible for their guests’ behavior.

Security

Get to know the people who live on your floor or in your apartment complex. When you’re familiar with the faces and names, you’ll recognize someone who is out of place more quickly.
Never let a stranger into the residence hall or apartment complex.
When you do see someone you don’t know, ask him or her what they’re doing. Questions such as, “Do you need any help?” “Who are you here to see,” etc., will help keep everyone safe. Remember that the living community is your home, and you should never feel obligated to let someone you don’t know into your home. If you suspect someone should not be in on-campus housing, call University Police at 404-413-3333, 3-3333 from a campus phone or via an emergency call box.
Lock your room or apartment doors and windows. To protect yourself and your belongings, keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even if you just go down the hall for a few minutes.
Engrave expensive belongings with your name, or a driver’s license number. This will help police recover your items if they do get stolen.
Report any stolen item to University Housing staff or Georgia State Police immediately.
NEVER prop the doors open. If a friend is coming over, arrange to meet him or her, or have your friend call you to let them in. Propped doors allow anyone accesses to the community at night and jeopardize everyone’s safety.
Walk with someone you know and trust. If you do choose to walk by yourself, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Let your roommate or RA know when you plan to be gone from campus for a while (a weekend or overnight). When your roommate or a staff member notices a student has been gone for a while, and nobody knows where he or she is, a missing person report should be filed with the Georgia State Police Department.
When you have a friend come for a visit, register your guest and let other people on your floor know about it. That way they don’t think there is some strange person wandering around. Also, make sure to follow the guest policy procedures outlined in the Residence Hall or Apartment Handbook.
Know how to contact University Housing staff and Georgia State Police in an emergency. Keep these phone numbers posted near the telephone and add them to your ‘contacts’ in your cell phone.
Keep a list of people to contact in an emergency in case you’re ever involved in an accident, emergency situation, etc. This list could include your family, friends from home, friends at Georgia State, medical information, etc. Let your roommate know where this list is. Keep a list of emergency contacts in your mobile phone under the heading of ICE (In Case of Emergency) or EMERGENCY. This will help friends or emergency response personnel to get the needed information quickly.
Keep your online information confidential and do not post personal information that could compromise your safety online.

Fire Safety

Fire safety is the resident’s responsibility. Inspect your dorm or apartment and communicate any fire hazards to University Housing staff or your landlord in writing.
Most fires occur at night when apartments are most heavily populated.
Smoking is the number one cause of fatal apartment fires. People drop cigarettes on furniture or in wastepaper baskets. Do not allow smoking in your apartment. If you do, provide smokers with large ashtrays and check behind furniture and cushions before going to bed. Do not smoke in bed. Make sure cigarettes, pipes, etc., are extinguished before emptying ashtrays into the garbage.
Do not leave paper or combustibles by heaters or open flames.
Do not block exits.
Explore your dwelling and identify all of the possible exits.
Keep exit and stairway doors closed at all times.
Never use an elevator in a fire. Use the stairs.
Do not overcrowd your dorm or apartment with people or belongings. Your dorm or apartment should not exceed legal capacity.
Make sure your apartment has safety devices such as smoke detectors and working fire extinguishers.
Check for electrical hazards, including worn electrical cords, overloaded extension cords and outlets, broken appliances and exposed wiring or outlets.
Do not run cords under carpets, over doors, over nails or in high-traffic areas.
Use heavy-duty extension cords.
Make sure your apartment has smoke detectors outside of every bedroom (and inside if you sleep with the door closed). Change batteries twice a year and when they beep or expire.
Rooms, hallways, floors, special exits, etc., should be equipped with smoke detectors.
Follow the manufacturer’s testing and cleaning instructions for smoke detectors. Test them at least once a month.
Create an evacuation plan with your roommates. Post it in public places so your guests know it, too. Decide upon a meeting place outside.
Never re-enter a burning building. Let the fire department know if someone is left inside.
Do not burn trash.
Do not place space heaters near curtains, furniture or plastics. They should be at least three feet away from other objects.
Make sure space heaters are turned off and unplugged before leaving the room.
If a breaker trips or a fuse blows, try to find out why before just flipping the breaker or replacing the fuse.
If you have a fireplace, make sure it has a screen. Keep rugs, curtains and fire starters away from the flame.
Make sure nothing is stored by your heater or furnace.
Extinguish candles and incense before you leave the room.
Do not leave the stove or oven on and unattended.

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Panther Alerts

Stay Informed

When a life-threatening event or weather situation occurs, the Panther Alert system will trigger alerts through a variety of communications channels, including email, text, phone calls and social media posts. The university also sends text messages about crime incidents that affect the university community, such as armed robberies, shootings or assaults. The text option is opt-in, and we encourage all community members to sign up for alerts.

Ride Safe

Campus Carry

Frequently Asked Questions

May faculty members place statements about HB280 on their course syllabi?

Yes. Faculty members may provide information such as the following:

The Campus Carry legislation allows anyone properly licensed in the state of Georgia to carry a handgun in a concealed manner on university property with noted exceptions. Information about the law can be found on this page. It is the responsibility of the license holder to know the law. Failure to do so may result in a misdemeanor charge and may violate the Georgia State Student Code of Conduct.”

Can faculty members exclude from the classrooms in which they teach?

No. Students, faculty and staff should not attempt to monitor or enforce compliance with the statutes by those who do carry handguns. Guns may only be excluded from classrooms when they are being used for classes in which high school students are enrolled.

Will the university post signs that show where guns are allowed?

No. In accordance with the University System guidelines, Georgia State will not be erecting signs outside restricted areas.

Will the university offer gun storage facilities?

No. In accordance with University System guidelines, Georgia State will not provide gun storage facilities.

What should I do if I think someone is carrying a handgun in a restricted area?

Call university police at (404) 413-3333. Students, faculty and staff should not attempt to monitor or enforce compliance with the statute.

Questions

If you have questions about the law, contact the Office of Legal Affairs.

Safety Abroad

Make Your Study Abroad Experience A Safe One

Visit the Risk Management Study Abroad page for important links, health and safety and advice on traveling abroad, etc .

File a travel plan with Georgia State’s Office of International Initiatives:

International Travel Plan

Important Links to Remember:

Jeanne Clery Act

What is the Jeanne Clery Act?

The Jeanne Clery Act is named in memory of 19-year-old Jeanne Ann Clery, a Lehigh University freshman who was raped and murdered in her residence hall room on April 5, 1986. Jeanne’s parents, Connie and Howard, learned that Lehigh University students had not been informed of the 38 violent crimes that occurred on the Lehigh campus in the three years before her murder. They eventually persuaded Congress to enact a law that would help mitigate future tragedies. The Clery Act is a consumer protection law that aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics.

What does Georgia State University have to disclose under the Clery Act?

Georgia State must publish and disseminate an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1st of each year. The ASR must contain specific policy language regarding emergency notifications, alcohol and illegal drugs, sexual assault prevention and awareness training programs, fire safety, missing students, and Clery Act crime statistics from the previous three calendar years. The ASR can be found here.
The Georgia State University Police Department (GSUPD) must also maintain a public crime log of all reported crimes. The Daily Crime Log can be found here.

What are the Clery Act crimes that must be disclosed?

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter
Negligent Manslaughter
Sexual Assault
Rape
Forcible Fondling
Incest
Statutory Rape
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Domestic Violence
Stalking
Burglary
Motor Vehicle Theft
Arson
Destruction of Property/Vandalism (only if hate crime)
Intimidation (only if hate crime)
Larceny/Theft (only if hate crime)
Simple Assault (only if hate crime)

Which schools must comply with the Clery Act?

All institutions of postsecondary education, both public and private, that participate in federal student aid programs (via Title IV) must comply with the Clery Act.

Is there anyone on campus I can report a crime to confidentially?

Confidentiality is limited to that provided by law. Because police reports are public records under state law, GSUPD cannot hold reports of crime in confidence. Confidential reports, for purposes of inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics, can be made to Campus Security Authorities (as identified above) — excluding sworn members of the GSUPD. Accurate and prompt reporting will facilitate timely initiation of warnings and other appropriate emergency response procedures, and will also help ensure the accuracy of crime statistics compiled in compliance with the Clery Act.
Persons Exempt from Reporting Clery Reportable Crimes Pastoral counselors and professional counselors, as defined below, when acting as such, are not considered to be Campus Security Authorities and are not required to report crimes. The University encourages them, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform persons being counseled of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary basis for inclusion in the annual crime statistics. A pastoral counselor is an employee of the University who is associated with a religious order or denomination, who is recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling, and who is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor. A professional counselor is an employee of the University whose official responsibilities include providing psychological counseling and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification.
Effective July 1, 2012, Georgia state law requires all University employees and volunteers who, in the course of their duties, suspect that a child has been abused on or off campus to report that abuse immediately to the GSUPD in person or by phone at 404.413.3333. Employees and volunteers must also report suspected child abuse to their supervisor, program director, or a Georgia State official as soon as possible. For more information, see the Georgia Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Policy.

What is the difference between a "Timely Warning" and "Emergency Notification"?

The Georgia State University has a Georgia State Emergency Notification System (Panther Alert), which is activated during emergencies to provide the campus and the community with a prompt notification of a confirmed situation and to provide instructions for taking action if needed.
Emergency Notification: The University will immediately notify the campus community after confirming that a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, faculty, staff or visitors is occurring on the campus. In those instances, the Institute will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and activate the notification system.
- However, if in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, issuing an emergency notification would compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency, the notification may be delayed. In those cases, the University’s Chief of Police, or the ranking Police Department officer in charge during his/her absence, will be notified, and once the potentially compromising situation has been addressed the emergency notification will be issued immediately.
Timely Warning: The University will notify the campus community of any Clery Act crime as soon as the information is available to enable people to protect themselves and/or their property from similar crimes only under the following conditions as determined by the Police Department:
- There is a serious or continuing threat to the campus community AND
- Issuing the timely warning will not compromise law enforcement efforts to address the crime.
- All available information, both public and confidential, will be taken into consideration when determining if a serious or continuing threat exists. Those considerations include, but are not limited to, the relationship between victims and perpetrators, whether an arrest has been made that mitigates the threat and the amount of time that has passed between the commission of the crime and Police being notified of the crime. Although each case will be evaluated on an individual basis, in general a report that is filed more than five days after the date of the alleged incident may not allow Police to post a “timely” warning.
- If, in the professional judgment of the Police Department, issuing a timely warning notification would compromise efforts to address the crime, the notification may be delayed or information may be limited. In those cases the University’s Chief of Police, or the highest-ranking officer in charge, will be notified. Once the potentially compromising situation has been addressed, the timely warning notification will be issued immediately if the serious or continuing threat still exists.
- The Georgia State University Police Department may not necessarily issue timely warnings for every Clery Act criminal incident that is reported since that specific incident may not pose a continuing threat to the community. Individuals should exercise due care and caution to avoid being victimized. Check out the crime prevention tips posted by the Georgia State University Police Department to deter these crimes or attend one of our crime prevention informational sessions. For more information on our crime prevention programs, click here.

Do school officials other than law enforcement have reporting obligations under the Clery Act?

Yes. All university officials with significant responsibility for campus and student activities are considered to be Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) and have reporting obligations under the Clery Act. That is, they are required to report all crimes or incidents to the Police Department for data gathering purposes. These individuals have been notified of this responsibility and specialized training has been created to assist them in understanding their role. The following list denotes the positions at Georgia State thought to meet the definition of a CSA. This list is intended to be comprehensive, but certain positions may not be specifically listed.

All sworn member of the GSUPD.
All academic deans, associate deans and assistant deans.
All deans and directors, associate deans and directors, and assistant deans and directors in the following units of the organizational area of the Division of Student Life: The Office of the Vice President of Student Life and the Office of the Dean of Students.
The director of Title IX Compliance of the organizational area of Legal Affairs and Risk Management.

Examples of individuals who DO NOT meet the criteria for being a CSA include a faculty member who does not have any responsibility for student and campus activity beyond the classroom, clerical staff, custodians and maintenance personnel, and dining facility staff. A pastoral or professional counselor on campus does not have significant responsibility for student and campus activity and are exempt from reporting crimes to the police.

Will reporting a crime/incident to a CSA mean the police will get involved?

Not necessarily. Although we strongly encourage victims of any crime to seek assistance from law enforcement whenever possible, a report from a CSA will not necessarily result in a police investigation. There are many reasons why a report might not result in a law enforcement action. For example, in many cases the Police Department cannot initiate an investigation without victim assistance. As another example, if a report is about an incident that occurred outside of the Georgia State University Police Department’s jurisdiction, the matter would be referred the matter to the authority having jurisdiction.

How are hate crimes classified?

A hate crime is defined as any crime that manifests evidence that a victim was selected because of his/her actual or perceived race; gender; gender identity; religion; sexual orientation; ethnicity; national origin or disability. A hate crime is not a separate, distinct crime, but is the commission of a criminal offense which was motivated by the offender’s bias. If the facts of the case indicate that the offender was motivated to commit the offense because of his/her bias against the victim’s perceived race; gender; gender identity; religion; sexual orientation; ethnicity; national origin or disability, the crime is classified as a hate crime. For more information on the definition and classification of hate/bias crimes, see the FBI’s Data Collection Manual.

Are there other violations that must be included in the report?

The Clery Act requires that schools provide statistics for the following categories of arrests or, if an arrest was not made, referrals for campus disciplinary action:

Liquor Law Violations
Drug Law Violations
Illegal Weapons Possession

The Clery Act requires that, if a person is both arrested and referred for disciplinary action for the same violation, only the arrest should be reported. Citations, criminal summonses, and notices to appear are also considered to be “arrests.” According to federal offense definitions, neither driving under the influence nor drunkenness is considered a “liquor law violation.”

Where does the Clery Act say these crimes must occur in order for them to be disclosed?

On Campus: (I) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution and used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the institution’s educational purposes, including residence halls; and (II) property within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is used by students, and supports institution purposes.
- On campus includes (1) all property of the Georgia Tech, and other campus buildings); (2) all Institute owned or controlled property reasonably contiguous to central campus that is used in direct support of, or related to, its educational purposes. The Clery Act requires crime statistics for residence halls to be included in the “on campus” statistics. Because of this, statistics for housing are reported as a sub-set of the “On Campus” crimes.
Non-campus building or property: (I) any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization recognized by the institution; and (II) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes, is used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
Public property: all public property that is within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution, such as a sidewalk, a street, other thoroughfare, or parking facility, and is adjacent to a facility owned or controlled by the institution if the facility is used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to the institution’s educational purposes.
The crime statistics in this report for public property include the Georgia State University Police Department, Atlanta Police Department’s, Alpharetta Police Department’s, Dunwoody Police Department’s, DeKalb County Police Department’s and Newton County Sherriff’s statistics for public property on the campuses as well as public property surrounding the campuses. In addition to statistics on crimes occurring in the listed locations above, the statute also requires statistics on arrests for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession. It also requires statistics on persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession.

Does someone have to be convicted of a crime before it is reportable under the Clery Act?

No. Crimes are counted when they are reported regardless of prosecution.

Who enforces the Jeanne Clery Act and what are the penalties for noncompliance?

The United States Department of Education is tasked with enforcing the Jeanne Clery Act and may level civil penalties against institutions of higher education up to $35,000.00 per violation or may suspend them from participating in federal student financial aid programs.

Annual Security Report

The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (also known as the Clery Act) is a federal law enacted to provide students, faculty and staff with information to make decisions that affect their personal safety. In accordance with the Clery Act, Georgia State annually compiles and publishes crime statistics for the campus and surrounding areas in an annual crime report known as the Safety Net. The Safety Net also includes Georgia State’s policy on drugs and alcohol in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act.

Campus Crime Alerts

Incident on Atlanta Campus October 1, 2023

Update: Upon Police investigation of the report of alleged shots fired it was determined that the damage was not caused […]

Aggravated Assault (Persons Shot)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Aggravated Assault (Persons Shot) Incident Date/Time: April 2, 2023 9:49 PM and 11:49 PM Incident […]

Fondling (Sexual Battery)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Fondling (Sexual Battery) Incident Date/Time: February 9, 2023 3:41 pm Incident Location: Collins […]

Poplar Street and Forsyth Street

Clery Act Safety Alert/Police Activity on Campus Incident Date/Time: Monday, June 27, 2022 2:14 PM Incident Location: Poplar Street and […]

Fairlie Street and Luckie Street (In Front of Standard Building)

Clery Act Safety Alert – Armed Robbery Incident Date/Time: Saturday, July 9, 2022 2:20 AM Incident Location: Fairlie Street and […]

Central Avenue Fondling (Sexual Battery)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Fondling (Sexual Battery) Date Reported: November 30, 2022 Incident Date/Time: November 18, 2022, at 5:42 […]

Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITIES (CSA)

Georgia State University has a responsibility to notify the campus community about any crimes that pose an ongoing threat to the community as well as for inclusion in its federally mandated Annual Security Report.

A “Campus Security Authority” (CSA) at Georgia State University is any designated person, paid or unpaid, who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Campus Security Authorities are obligated by federal law to report crimes to the Georgia State University Police Department as soon as practicable. If you are unsure of the criminal offense of the incident, please refer to the Definitions of Crimes.

Georgia State University is also required to report statistics for bias-related (hate) crimes for the following offenses: murder/non-negligent manslaughter, sex offenses (forcible and non-forcible), robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny-theft, vandalism, intimidation, simple assault, and damage/destruction/vandalism of property.

Georgia State University is required to disclose statistics for offenses that occur on campus, in or on non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our school, and public property within or immediately adjacent to our campus.

As a Campus Security Authority, if someone reveals to you or others in your department that he or she has been a victim, witness or perpetrator of an incident that might involve a crime, reportable or otherwise, please immediately contact the Georgia State University Police Department at 404-413-3333. If you are a designated Campus Security Authority, please complete an incident report form and submit it to Georgia State University Police.

Campus Security Authorities and all other staff and faculty are reminded to report any allegation of sexual misconduct involving a student as required by Georgia State University’s Policy on Student-to-Student Physical Sexual Misconduct.

As a CSA, you play a vital role in keeping the Georgia State community safe. For any reports provided to University Police, please know that reporting any information you know, even if not complete, helps us keep everyone safe. Please include as much detail as possible within your report; however, if you are unsure of the location of a crime reported to you or are unsure of whether or not the location falls into one of our Clery geographic categories, or are unsure of any other details, please still report this crime to University Police. It is the University Police’s job to determine whether or not the information you share meets the requirements of being considered a Clery statistic and then classifying it as such.

We want to be sure you have a clear understanding of your role as a Campus Security Authority. CSAs are a critical link within our community – they help ensure the campus remains informed and that individuals coming forward have access to the information and resources they deserve. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the specifics about an incident or the Clery Act, please contact us. Thank you for your attention to this important work and for assisting the University maintain a safe environment for everyone.

CSA Incident Reporting Form

Definitions of Crimes

Murder – The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

Manslaughter – The killing of another person through negligence.

Rape – The carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly and/or against the person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary permanent mental or physical incapacity (or because of his/her youth).

Forcible Fondling – The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against the person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary permanent mental or physical incapacity.

Incest – Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.

Statutory Rape – Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

Robbery – The taking, or attempting to take, anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody or care of another person 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 where either the offender displays a weapon, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness.

Burglary – The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft.

Motor Vehicle Theft – The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage, or attempt to damage, any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device.

Liquor Law Violations – The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possessing or use of intoxicating alcoholic beverages.

Drug Related Violations (Sale and Possession) – The unlawful cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, transportation or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance. Or, the unlawful manufacture, sale, purchase, possession or transportation of equipment or devices used for preparing and/or taking drugs or narcotics (drug paraphernalia).

Weapon Law Violations – The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices or other deadly weapons.

Hate Crime Reporting – All hate crimes associated with any of the following crimes: homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, any other crime involving bodily injury, larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and destruction/damage/vandalism of property reported to law enforcement need to be reported. Hate crimes are those crimes that manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias toward race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, ethnicity, or disability of the victim. If a hate crime is reported, the type of prejudice and the type of crime need to be listed.

Domestic Violence – The term ‘‘domestic violence’’ includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.

Dating Violence- The term ‘‘dating violence’’ means violence committed by a person— (A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship. (ii) The type of relationship. (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

Stalking – The term ‘‘stalking’’ means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to— (A) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.

CSA Report Form

You have been identified as a CSA for purposes of the University’s compliance with the federal Clery Act. CSAs are encouraged to report all crimes reported to them, on a timely basis, to University Police. However, under the Clery Act, only Clery Act qualifying crimes are required to be reported to the Clery Compliance Coordinator.

Date Incident Occurred*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date Incident Reported*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Location of Incident*
Crime Classification**
Describe the Incident*
Did the victim perceive they were selected because of any of the following?*
Was the incident reported to the Georgia State University Police Department?*
- Yes
- No
Reporting Person Information
Name*
First Last
Title*
Date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Telephone Number*
Email*
CAPTCHA

Daily Police Report

Daily Police Reports

Click here to see Daily Police Reports.

Statistical Reports

Statistic Reports

Downtown Main Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	6	3	7
Fondling	9	2	9
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	10	3	11
Aggravated Assault	3	6	18
Burglary	3	2	5
Motor Vehicle Thefts	6	7	9
Arson	1	1	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	1	0	0
Dating Violence	15	14	14
Stalking	9	7	2

Alpharetta Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	0	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	0	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Clarkston Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	1
Fondling	1	0	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	1
Motor Vehicle Thefts	1	0	0
Arson	0	2	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	0	0	0
Stalking	4	0	1

Decatur Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	1	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	1	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	1	1	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	0	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Dunwoody Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	0	1
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	0	0
Stalking	5	0	0

Newton Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	1	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	0	0	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Annual Reports

These statistics are presented for the use of students, faculty, staff and prospective students under the requirements of the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542) of 1990. Your Georgia State Police Department is proud to report the annual crime statistics as a record reflective of our successes in supporting the community. We are also proud of the fact that we have been reporting these statistics voluntarily for many years prior to the requirements set forth in the Campus Security Act of 1990.

If you need more information on statistics, e-mail Kiawana Wilborn or call (404) 413-3207, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

The Georgia State Police Records unit is responsible for maintenance of all incident reports which occur within the Georgia State jurisdiction. The records clerk is also responsible for monthly and annual statistical reports for crime on the Georgia State campus and to distribute and release Incident/Accident reports upon request and maintain a record of released reports.

One may obtain a copy of an incident/accident report by coming in person to the Georgia State Police Department on any of the Georgia State campuses between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Allow 3-4 business days for processing of reports.

Victim/Witness Services

Your Rights As A Victim

It is the policy of the Georgia State Police Department that victims of crimes be treated with dignity, compassion and respect in accordance with state law.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the Fulton County Solicitor’s Office are the agencies primarily responsible for the delivery of victim and witness services in Fulton County. The Georgia State Police Department’s primary role in the delivery of victim and witness services is as a first responder. As a first responder and during the preliminary and follow-up investigations, officers are equipped to provide victims of crime with a copy of the Georgia State Police Department’s “Your Right as a Victim” pamphlet detailing the rights listed below and also providing additional points of contact for needed services.

The Police Department recognizes that victims of crimes have a right to…

An explanation of the criminal justice processes.
Notification if an arrest is made in their case.
Be informed by the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office of their role in any proceedings.
Be notified of court dates and of court date cancellations.
Have stolen or personal property being held as evidence returned as soon as possible.
Be informed of financial assistance available and assistance in filing under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Be informed of the outcome or verdict of their case.
Have information concerning the impact of the crime and their lives presented to the court at sentencing.
Be informed of the type and length of sentence and of any impending release of the offender.
Be referred to any local or state agency, counselors or other appropriate agency in aiding them in their recovery from the crime or other personal issues which are a result of the crime.

Additional Telephone Numbers You Should Know

Fulton County Jail (inmate information)	(404)613-2000
Fulton County Solicitor’s Office	(404)612-4800
Magistrate Court	(404)612-5045
Warrant Office	(404)612-4752
Victim Assistance	(404)612-6883
Fulton County District Attorney’s Office	(404)612-4980
Victim Assistance	(404)612-4986
Governor’s Victim Assistance Help Line	(800)338-6745
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Victim Compensation	(404)559-4949
TDD	(404)559-4177

Georgia Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

Georgia law requires that Georgia State employees (faculty/staff) and volunteers who regularly come in contact with children as part of their duties and who have a reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected (either on- or off-campus) to report that abuse immediately (no later than 24 hours after such belief arises).

Reporting Process

Persons should immediately report any concerns by phone to either (1) child protective services or law enforcement or (2) their supervisor. A supervisor who receives such a report should immediately report such concern (without making any changes to the information) to child protective services or law enforcement. Locally, the following departments/agencies may be contacted:

Agency	Phone Number
Georgia State University Police	(404)413-2100
Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services	(404)206-5600
DeKalb County Department of Family and Children Services	(404)370-5000
Statewide Reporting Hotline	1-855-GACHILD

Reports made to child protective services or law enforcement personnel may be made confidentially or anonymously.

Additional Licensing Requirements

Professional licensing associations may require additional reporting requirements for certain professions (for example, teachers, social workers, daycare facilitators, etc.). University employees/volunteers holding such designations are encouraged to consult their professional licensing associations for more information.

Voluntary Online Training Module

Mandatory Reporter Training is available through the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (“GOCF”), which hosts a free 1-hour online training, accessible here.

If you have questions about your responsibilities under the new mandatory reporting law, contact the Office of Legal Affairs at (404) 413-0500.

GA Sex Offender Registry

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provides a searchable database for sexual offenders who have been convicted of a dangerous sexual offense, on or after July 1, 1996. Please see the GBI Sex Offender Registry to search a name, register for community notification, and review Frequently Asked Questions.

Scan the QR code to report suspicious activities

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Emergency Panther Alerts

Stay Informed

Scan the QR code to report suspicious activities

Personal Safety

Play It Safe At Georgia State

Campus Safety

Safety Video from President Blake

Message from our Chief Operating Officer

Message from Chief of Police

Prevention

Avoid becoming a target

People unknowingly engage in activities every day that make them more vulnerable to crime. Make yourself less of a potential target by incorporating some simple actions.

Travel on well-lit, busy streets and avoid walking through alleys.
Always trust your intuition and pay attention to warning signs, such as people watching you or quickly approaching.
Maintain complete awareness of your surroundings. Do not become distracted by using your cell phone or listening to your headset while walking.
Do not walk alone, especially at night.
Only take what you absolutely need with you when going out. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or multiple credit cards. Use backpacks to conceal laptop computers.
Remain confident, alert and in control. Avoid going out or walking home while intoxicated.

Use the Safety Escort Program

To request a Safety Escort:

Call 404-413-2100 from any campus or near off-campus location.
Call 3-2100 from any campus phone.
Flag down a Georgia State Safety Escort van or Georgia State police officer.

Be cautious at ATMs

Use machines in busy areas that are well lit.
Pay attention to those behind you and around you before making a transaction.
Be private about your personal identification number.
Never write your personal identification number on your card.
Remove your card from the machine when your transaction is complete.
Pressing 911 into the machine does NOT alert authorities to an emergency.

Preparation

Carry a personal safety device

Carry a safety whistle or other noise-making device and use it when you feel threatened. Noise attracts the attention of those nearby. Although yelling is often the most effective method of attracting attention, people often lack the ability to speak in crisis situations. Anyone can blow a whistle.

Attend a self-defense class or enroll in a crime prevention program

Self-defense classes are offered by Georgia State during the fall and spring semesters
The Georgia State Police Department offers Community Outreach Programs to educate students on how to avoid dangerous situations and what to do if one should arise.

Action

Use non-verbal self-defense

In an uncomfortable situation, be assertive.
Maintain eye contact with those who may attempt to confront you and do not let yourself get distracted.
Maintain a confident physical demeanor.
Maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from strangers.

Use verbal self-defense

Do not be afraid to tell someone to get out of your personal space.
If necessary, yell to attract the attention of those nearby.
Use direct commands, such as “Get back!” “Leave me alone!” or “Let me go!”

Protect yourself during robberies

If someone demands your property, give it to him or her. Do not resist. Maintaining your personal safety is more important than your backpack or cell phone.
If someone claims to have a weapon, believe him or her and surrender your property.
Throw your property in one direction and run away in the opposite direction to a safer place.
While running, attract attention by yelling.
If your assailant targets you instead of your property, remain calm and breathe. Think of your planned response, defend yourself and escape.

Vehicle Safety

Stay Safe on the Road

WHEN LEAVING

Be aware of your surroundings.
Walk with others to your vehicle whenever possible.
Carry your car keys when approaching your vehicle so you can enter quickly. For added safety, put your car and house keys on separate key chains.
Always check underneath your car upon approach and in the rear seat for intruders before entering your automobile.
If something or someone looks suspicious, leave the area immediately. Do not try to go to your vehicle.
Lock your doors immediately and keep windows rolled up whenever possible.

When driving

Keep all of your doors locked.
Drive on well-traveled and well-lit streets.
Leave enough room between your car and the vehicle ahead so you can drive around it if necessary.
If someone tries to enter your stopped vehicle, sound the horn and drive to a safe area before calling the police.
Never pick up hitchhikers or troubled motorists. If you want to help a troubled motorist, drive to the nearest phone and call the police. An accident may be staged.
If your vehicle breaks down, ask any person who stops to help to call the police. Do not allow any person access to you or your car. Roll down your window no more than an inch.
If you are involved in a minor collision in an isolated area, you may want to drive to a well-lit and populated area before stopping to assess your damage.
While driving, if you notice that you are being followed, do not go home. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or service station for help. If you are fearful of exiting your vehicle, honk your horn to draw attention to yourself.
Never leave your car’s engine running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car.
Limit distractions. Texting while driving is illegal.

When parking

Park in well-lit areas.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, find another place to park.
Do not leave valuable items visible in your car. Put them in the trunk or take them with you.
Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Never leave valuable documents in your car that could help a thief identify who you are or where you live.
Call ahead when driving to your home late at night and have someone watch you walk from your car to the residence.

Pedestrian Safety

This unit emphasizes:

Pedestrian education for crosswalks
Distribution of PEDs pamphlets
Traffic stops and citations for moving violations
Jaywalking citations

Pedestrian Safety Tips and Georgia Law

A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of a traffic-control device. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-90)
The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-91)
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, another shall not overtake or pass such stopped vehicle.
A pedestrian shall yield the right of way to all vehicles outside a marked crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-91)
A pedestrian shall not suddenly walk in front of traffic when it is impractical for the driver to yield.
Where a sidewalk is provided, it shall be unlawful for a pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-96)
When making a turn, vehicles must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing legally inside a crosswalk. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-21)

Crossing Streets Safely

Look both ways before crossing the street.
Look to see if cars are approaching the intersection to turn.
Be aware of what the traffic lights indicate.
Be attentive to the crossing signal and be mindful of its instructions.
Don’t walk in front of traffic when it is impractical for the driver to yield.
If you walk outside a crosswalk you must yield the right of way to vehicles.
Vehicles should stop and remain stopped to allow you to cross the roadway within a crosswalk.
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, watch for other vehicles approaching.

Preventing Crime Safely

Walk with confidence, shoulders back and head up. Look around, be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something does not look or feel right, stop to see what has triggered your fear. Do not ignore your instincts. They are your first line of defense.
Walk in groups. There is safety in numbers.
If you sense that you are being followed, change your direction or pace. If the person following you does likewise, seek a safe place where there are people and lights and bring attention to yourself. Try to remember an accurate description of the suspect.
Avoid undesirable areas or shortcuts. If you make a wrong turn, go back immediately. Don’t take chances.
If approached on the street, make brief, stern eye contact and continue walking. If someone insists on talking, acknowledge his or her presence with a nod and continue walking. Do not stop and engage in a conversation.
Never get into a vehicle, even if forced at the point of a gun. Your chance of survival on the street is better than in a vehicle or remote location of the abductor’s choice.

Remember, our streets are not just for cars.

We share them with pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit.

By knowing the rules, we can help make Atlanta’s streets safer.

Housing Safety

Security

Get to know the people who live on your floor or in your apartment complex. When you’re familiar with the faces and names, you’ll recognize someone who is out of place more quickly.
Never let a stranger into the residence hall or apartment complex.
When you do see someone you don’t know, ask him or her what they’re doing. Questions such as, “Do you need any help?” “Who are you here to see,” etc., will help keep everyone safe. Remember that the living community is your home, and you should never feel obligated to let someone you don’t know into your home. If you suspect someone should not be in on-campus housing, call University Police at 404-413-3333, 3-3333 from a campus phone or via an emergency call box.
Lock your room or apartment doors and windows. To protect yourself and your belongings, keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even if you just go down the hall for a few minutes.
Engrave expensive belongings with your name, or a driver’s license number. This will help police recover your items if they do get stolen.
Report any stolen item to University Housing staff or Georgia State Police immediately.
NEVER prop the doors open. If a friend is coming over, arrange to meet him or her, or have your friend call you to let them in. Propped doors allow anyone access to the community at night and jeopardize everyone’s safety.
Walk with someone you know and trust. If you do choose to walk by yourself, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Let your roommate or RA know when you plan to be gone from campus for a while (a weekend or overnight). When your roommate or a staff member notices a student has been gone for a while, and nobody knows where he or she is, a missing person report should be filed with the Georgia State Police Department.
When you have a friend come for a visit, register your guest and let other people on your floor know about it. That way they don’t think there is some strange person wandering around. Also, make sure to follow the guest policy procedures outlined in the Residence Hall or Apartment Handbook.
Know how to contact University Housing staff and Georgia State Police in an emergency. Keep these phone numbers posted near the telephone and add them to your ‘contacts’ in your cell phone.
Keep a list of people to contact in an emergency in case you’re ever involved in an accident, emergency situation, etc. This list could include your family, friends from home, friends at Georgia State, medical information, etc. Let your roommate know where this list is. Keep a list of emergency contacts in your mobile phone under the heading of ICE (In Case of Emergency) or EMERGENCY. This will help friends or emergency response personnel to get the needed information quickly.
Keep your online information confidential and do not post personal information that could compromise your safety online.

Fire Safety

Fire safety is the resident’s responsibility. Inspect your dorm or apartment and communicate any fire hazards to University Housing staff or your landlord in writing.
Most fires occur at night when apartments are most heavily populated.
Smoking is the number one cause of fatal apartment fires. People drop cigarettes on furniture or in wastepaper baskets. Do not allow smoking in your apartment. If you do, provide smokers with large ashtrays and check behind furniture and cushions before going to bed. Do not smoke in bed. Make sure cigarettes, pipes, etc., are extinguished before emptying ashtrays into the garbage.
Do not leave paper or combustibles by heaters or open flames.
Do not block exits.
Explore your dwelling and identify all of the possible exits.
Keep exit and stairway doors closed at all times.
Never use an elevator in a fire. Use the stairs.
Do not overcrowd your dorm or apartment with people or belongings. Your dorm or apartment should not exceed legal capacity.
Make sure your apartment has safety devices such as smoke detectors and working fire extinguishers.
Check for electrical hazards, including worn electrical cords, overloaded extension cords and outlets, broken appliances and exposed wiring or outlets.
Do not run cords under carpets, over doors, over nails or in high-traffic areas.
Use heavy-duty extension cords.
Make sure your apartment has smoke detectors outside of every bedroom (and inside if you sleep with the door closed). Change batteries twice a year and when they beep or expire.
Rooms, hallways, floors, special exits, etc., should be equipped with smoke detectors.
Follow the manufacturer’s testing and cleaning instructions for smoke detectors. Test them at least once a month.
Create an evacuation plan with your roommates. Post it in public places so your guests know it, too. Decide upon a meeting place outside.
Never re-enter a burning building. Let the fire department know if someone is left inside.
Do not burn trash.
Do not place space heaters near curtains, furniture or plastics. They should be at least three feet away from other objects.
Make sure space heaters are turned off and unplugged before leaving the room.
If a breaker trips or a fuse blows, try to find out why before just flipping the breaker or replacing the fuse.
If you have a fireplace, make sure it has a screen. Keep rugs, curtains and fire starters away from the flame.
Make sure nothing is stored by your heater or furnace.
Extinguish candles and incense before you leave the room.
Do not leave the stove or oven on and unattended.

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Panther Alerts

Stay Informed

Ride Safe

Campus Carry

Frequently Asked Questions

May faculty members place statements about HB280 on their course syllabi?

Yes. Faculty members may provide information such as the following:

Can faculty members exclude from the classrooms in which they teach?

Will the university post signs that show where guns are allowed?

No. In accordance with the University System guidelines, Georgia State will not be erecting signs outside restricted areas.

Will the university offer gun storage facilities?

No. In accordance with University System guidelines, Georgia State will not provide gun storage facilities.

What should I do if I think someone is carrying a handgun in a restricted area?

Call university police at (404) 413-3333. Students, faculty and staff should not attempt to monitor or enforce compliance with the statute.

Questions

If you have questions about the law, contact the Office of Legal Affairs.

Safety Abroad

Make Your Study Abroad Experience A Safe One

Visit the Risk Management Study Abroad page for important links, health and safety and advice on traveling abroad, etc .

File a travel plan with Georgia State’s Office of International Initiatives:

International Travel Plan

Important Links to Remember:

Jeanne Clery Act

What is the Jeanne Clery Act?

What does Georgia State University have to disclose under the Clery Act?

Georgia State must publish and disseminate an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1st of each year. The ASR must contain specific policy language regarding emergency notifications, alcohol and illegal drugs, sexual assault prevention and awareness training programs, fire safety, missing students, and Clery Act crime statistics from the previous three calendar years. The ASR can be found here.
The Georgia State University Police Department (GSUPD) must also maintain a public crime log of all reported crimes. The Daily Crime Log can be found here.

What are the Clery Act crimes that must be disclosed?

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter
Negligent Manslaughter
Sexual Assault
Rape
Forcible Fondling
Incest
Statutory Rape
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Domestic Violence
Stalking
Burglary
Motor Vehicle Theft
Arson
Destruction of Property/Vandalism (only if hate crime)
Intimidation (only if hate crime)
Larceny/Theft (only if hate crime)
Simple Assault (only if hate crime)

Which schools must comply with the Clery Act?

All institutions of postsecondary education, both public and private, that participate in federal student aid programs (via Title IV) must comply with the Clery Act.

Is there anyone on campus I can report a crime to confidentially?

Confidentiality is limited to that provided by law. Because police reports are public records under state law, GSUPD cannot hold reports of crime in confidence. Confidential reports, for purposes of inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics, can be made to Campus Security Authorities (as identified above) — excluding sworn members of the GSUPD. Accurate and prompt reporting will facilitate timely initiation of warnings and other appropriate emergency response procedures, and will also help ensure the accuracy of crime statistics compiled in compliance with the Clery Act.
Persons Exempt from Reporting Clery Reportable Crimes Pastoral counselors and professional counselors, as defined below, when acting as such, are not considered to be Campus Security Authorities and are not required to report crimes. The University encourages them, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform persons being counseled of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary basis for inclusion in the annual crime statistics. A pastoral counselor is an employee of the University who is associated with a religious order or denomination, who is recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling, and who is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor. A professional counselor is an employee of the University whose official responsibilities include providing psychological counseling and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification.
Effective July 1, 2012, Georgia state law requires all University employees and volunteers who, in the course of their duties, suspect that a child has been abused on or off campus to report that abuse immediately to the GSUPD in person or by phone at 404.413.3333. Employees and volunteers must also report suspected child abuse to their supervisor, program director, or a Georgia State official as soon as possible. For more information, see the Georgia Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Policy.

What is the difference between a "Timely Warning" and "Emergency Notification"?

The Georgia State University has a Georgia State Emergency Notification System (Panther Alert), which is activated during emergencies to provide the campus and the community with a prompt notification of a confirmed situation and to provide instructions for taking action if needed.
Emergency Notification: The University will immediately notify the campus community after confirming that a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, faculty, staff or visitors is occurring on the campus. In those instances, the Institute will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and activate the notification system.
- However, if in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, issuing an emergency notification would compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency, the notification may be delayed. In those cases, the University’s Chief of Police, or the ranking Police Department officer in charge during his/her absence, will be notified, and once the potentially compromising situation has been addressed the emergency notification will be issued immediately.
Timely Warning: The University will notify the campus community of any Clery Act crime as soon as the information is available to enable people to protect themselves and/or their property from similar crimes only under the following conditions as determined by the Police Department:
- There is a serious or continuing threat to the campus community AND
- Issuing the timely warning will not compromise law enforcement efforts to address the crime.
- All available information, both public and confidential, will be taken into consideration when determining if a serious or continuing threat exists. Those considerations include, but are not limited to, the relationship between victims and perpetrators, whether an arrest has been made that mitigates the threat and the amount of time that has passed between the commission of the crime and Police being notified of the crime. Although each case will be evaluated on an individual basis, in general a report that is filed more than five days after the date of the alleged incident may not allow Police to post a “timely” warning.
- If, in the professional judgment of the Police Department, issuing a timely warning notification would compromise efforts to address the crime, the notification may be delayed or information may be limited. In those cases the University’s Chief of Police, or the highest-ranking officer in charge, will be notified. Once the potentially compromising situation has been addressed, the timely warning notification will be issued immediately if the serious or continuing threat still exists.
- The Georgia State University Police Department may not necessarily issue timely warnings for every Clery Act criminal incident that is reported since that specific incident may not pose a continuing threat to the community. Individuals should exercise due care and caution to avoid being victimized. Check out the crime prevention tips posted by the Georgia State University Police Department to deter these crimes or attend one of our crime prevention informational sessions. For more information on our crime prevention programs, click here.

Do school officials other than law enforcement have reporting obligations under the Clery Act?

All sworn member of the GSUPD.
All academic deans, associate deans and assistant deans.
All deans and directors, associate deans and directors, and assistant deans and directors in the following units of the organizational area of the Division of Student Life: The Office of the Vice President of Student Life and the Office of the Dean of Students.
The director of Title IX Compliance of the organizational area of Legal Affairs and Risk Management.

Will reporting a crime/incident to a CSA mean the police will get involved?

How are hate crimes classified?

Are there other violations that must be included in the report?

The Clery Act requires that schools provide statistics for the following categories of arrests or, if an arrest was not made, referrals for campus disciplinary action:

Liquor Law Violations
Drug Law Violations
Illegal Weapons Possession

Where does the Clery Act say these crimes must occur in order for them to be disclosed?

On Campus: (I) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution and used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the institution’s educational purposes, including residence halls; and (II) property within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is used by students, and supports institution purposes.
- On campus includes (1) all property of the Georgia Tech, and other campus buildings); (2) all Institute owned or controlled property reasonably contiguous to central campus that is used in direct support of, or related to, its educational purposes. The Clery Act requires crime statistics for residence halls to be included in the “on campus” statistics. Because of this, statistics for housing are reported as a sub-set of the “On Campus” crimes.
Non-campus building or property: (I) any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization recognized by the institution; and (II) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes, is used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
Public property: all public property that is within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution, such as a sidewalk, a street, other thoroughfare, or parking facility, and is adjacent to a facility owned or controlled by the institution if the facility is used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to the institution’s educational purposes.
The crime statistics in this report for public property include the Georgia State University Police Department, Atlanta Police Department’s, Alpharetta Police Department’s, Dunwoody Police Department’s, DeKalb County Police Department’s and Newton County Sherriff’s statistics for public property on the campuses as well as public property surrounding the campuses. In addition to statistics on crimes occurring in the listed locations above, the statute also requires statistics on arrests for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession. It also requires statistics on persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession.

Does someone have to be convicted of a crime before it is reportable under the Clery Act?

No. Crimes are counted when they are reported regardless of prosecution.

Who enforces the Jeanne Clery Act and what are the penalties for noncompliance?

Annual Security Report

Campus Crime Alerts

Incident on Atlanta Campus October 1, 2023

Update: Upon Police investigation of the report of alleged shots fired it was determined that the damage was not caused […]

Aggravated Assault (Persons Shot)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Aggravated Assault (Persons Shot) Incident Date/Time: April 2, 2023 9:49 PM and 11:49 PM Incident […]

Fondling (Sexual Battery)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Fondling (Sexual Battery) Incident Date/Time: February 9, 2023 3:41 pm Incident Location: Collins […]

Central Avenue Fondling (Sexual Battery)

Clery Act Safety Alert/Timely Notice Fondling (Sexual Battery) Date Reported: November 30, 2022 Incident Date/Time: November 18, 2022, at 5:42 […]

Decatur Street and Kimball Way

Clery Act Safety Alert – Fondling (Sexual Battery) Incident Date/Time: Monday, November 7, 2022 1:50 PM Incident Location: Decatur Street […]

Fairlie Street and Luckie Street (In Front of Standard Building)

Clery Act Safety Alert – Armed Robbery Incident Date/Time: Saturday, July 9, 2022 2:20 AM Incident Location: Fairlie Street and […]

Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITIES (CSA)

CSA Incident Reporting Form

Definitions of Crimes

Murder – The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.Manslaughter – The killing of another person through negligence.

Incest – Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.

Statutory Rape – Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

Burglary – The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft.

Motor Vehicle Theft – The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage, or attempt to damage, any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device.

Liquor Law Violations – The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possessing or use of intoxicating alcoholic beverages.

CSA Report Form

Date Incident Occurred*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date Incident Reported*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Location of Incident*
Crime Classification**
Describe the Incident*
Did the victim perceive they were selected because of any of the following?*
Was the incident reported to the Georgia State University Police Department?*
- Yes
- No
Reporting Person Information
Name*
First Last
Title*
Date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Telephone Number*
Email*
CAPTCHA

Daily Police Report

Daily Police Reports

Click here to see Daily Police Reports.

Statistical Reports

Statistic Reports

Downtown Main Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	6	3	7
Fondling	9	2	9
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	10	3	11
Aggravated Assault	3	6	18
Burglary	3	2	5
Motor Vehicle Thefts	6	7	9
Arson	1	1	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	15	14	7
Stalking	9	7	2

Alpharetta Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	0	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	1	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Clarkston Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	1
Fondling	1	0	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	1	0	0
Arson	0	2	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	0	0	0
Stalking	4	0	1

Decatur Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	1	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	1	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	1	1	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	0	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Dunwoody Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	0	1
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	1	0	0
Stalking	5	0	0

Newton Campus

Criminal Incidents	2019	2020	2021
Homicide	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
Fondling	0	1	0
Incest	0	0	0
Statutory Rape	0	0	0
Robbery	0	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0
Burglary	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Thefts	0	0	0
Arson	0	0	0

VAWA – Violence Against Women Act

Offense	2019	2020	2021
Domestic Violence	0	0	0
Dating Violence	0	0	0
Stalking	0	0	0

Annual Reports

If you need more information on statistics, e-mail Kiawana Wilborn or call (404) 413-3207, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Victim/Witness Services

Your Rights As A Victim

It is the policy of the Georgia State Police Department that victims of crimes be treated with dignity, compassion and respect in accordance with state law.

The Police Department recognizes that victims of crimes have a right to…

An explanation of the criminal justice processes.
Notification if an arrest is made in their case.
Be informed by the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office of their role in any proceedings.
Be notified of court dates and of court date cancellations.
Have stolen or personal property being held as evidence returned as soon as possible.
Be informed of financial assistance available and assistance in filing under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Be informed of the outcome or verdict of their case.
Have information concerning the impact of the crime and their lives presented to the court at sentencing.
Be informed of the type and length of sentence and of any impending release of the offender.
Be referred to any local or state agency, counselors or other appropriate agency in aiding them in their recovery from the crime or other personal issues which are a result of the crime.

Additional Telephone Numbers You Should Know

Fulton County Jail (inmate information)	(404)613-2000
Fulton County Solicitor’s Office	(404)612-4800
Magistrate Court	(404)612-5045
Warrant Office	(404)612-4752
Victim Assistance	(404)612-6883
Fulton County District Attorney’s Office	(404)612-4980
Victim Assistance	(404)612-4986
Governor’s Victim Assistance Help Line	(800)338-6745
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Victim Compensation	(404)559-4949
TDD	(404)559-4177

Georgia Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

Reporting Process

Agency	Phone Number
Georgia State University Police	(404)413-2100
Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services	(404)206-5600
DeKalb County Department of Family and Children Services	(404)370-5000
Statewide Reporting Hotline	1-855-GACHILD

Reports made to child protective services or law enforcement personnel may be made confidentially or anonymously.

Additional Licensing Requirements

Voluntary Online Training Module

Mandatory Reporter Training is available through the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (“GOCF”), which hosts a free 1-hour online training, accessible here.

If you have questions about your responsibilities under the new mandatory reporting law, contact the Office of Legal Affairs at (404) 413-0500.

GA Sex Offender Registry

Contact Us

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404-413-3333

GSU Student Health Clinic
404-413-1930

University Housing
404-413-1800

Hazardous Waste
404-413-3540

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404-413-3540

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SAFETY AND YOU

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May faculty members place statements about HB280 on their course syllabi?

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What should I do if I think someone is carrying a handgun in a restricted area?

Safety Abroad

Jeanne Clery Act

What is the Jeanne Clery Act?

What does Georgia State University have to disclose under the Clery Act?

What are the Clery Act crimes that must be disclosed?

Which schools must comply with the Clery Act?

Is there anyone on campus I can report a crime to confidentially?

What is the difference between a "Timely Warning" and "Emergency Notification"?

Do school officials other than law enforcement have reporting obligations under the Clery Act?

Will reporting a crime/incident to a CSA mean the police will get involved?

How are hate crimes classified?

Are there other violations that must be included in the report?

Where does the Clery Act say these crimes must occur in order for them to be disclosed?

Does someone have to be convicted of a crime before it is reportable under the Clery Act?

Who enforces the Jeanne Clery Act and what are the penalties for noncompliance?

Annual Security Report

Campus Crime Alerts

Incident on Atlanta Campus October 1, 2023

Aggravated Assault (Persons Shot)

Fondling (Sexual Battery)

Poplar Street and Forsyth Street

Fairlie Street and Luckie Street (In Front of Standard Building)

Central Avenue Fondling (Sexual Battery)

CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITIES (CSA)

Definitions of Crimes

CSA Report Form

Reporting Person Information

Daily Police Reports

Statistic Reports

Downtown Main Campus

Alpharetta Campus

Clarkston Campus

Decatur Campus

Dunwoody Campus

Newton Campus

Annual Reports

Victim/Witness Services

Additional Telephone Numbers You Should Know

Related Links

Georgia Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

GA Sex Offender Registry

Scan the QR code to report suspicious activities

Emergency Panther Alerts

Scan the QR code to report suspicious activities

Personal Safety

Campus Safety

Prevention

Preparation

Action

Vehicle Safety

Pedestrian Safety

Housing Safety

Security

Fire Safety

Emergency Panther Alerts

Campus Carry

May faculty members place statements about HB280 on their course syllabi?

Can faculty members exclude from the classrooms in which they teach?

Will the university post signs that show where guns are allowed?

Will the university offer gun storage facilities?