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What to do if you are a victim of a burglary

      What to do

• For an on campus occurence, contact the Campus Safety Department at (315) 228-7333 or dial 911 from any campus phone.
• Contact the Hamilton Police Department by dialing 911 from a cell phone or off-campus phone.
• Do not enter the premises if you believe the perpetrator is still there.
• Do not touch any items or surfaces that may have been touched by the perpetrator(s).
• Do not disturb the burglar(s) point of entry or exit.
• Do not clean any blood or mess left by the perpetrator(s).
• Make note of any items moved or disturbed by the perpetrator(s).
• Make note of any items missing.
• Gather serial numbers and other identifying characteristics of missing items.
• Try to recall if you locked your doors and windows before leaving.

    What happens next

• Campus Safety and the Hamilton Police or other police agency will respond promptly.
• If you believe the burglar is still on scene, the  police will check the premises for any possible threat.
• Once the area has been checked, the police will process the scene for evidence, such as fingerprints.
• The investigating agency will also take photographs of the crime scene.
• You will be able to enter your residence once the scene has been processed.
• You will be interviewed by campus safety officers and police officers who will be obtaining as much information of the burglary as possible.
• The Campus Safety Department will conduct a joint investigation with the Hamilton Police Department and an investigator from each department will share pertinent information.

    What to do after the preliminary investigation

• Take photographs of the scene
• Contact your homeowner's insurance provider
• The Campus Safety Department reports to the Office of the Dean of the College; university administrators will be notified of the occurence by Campus Safety Department staff promptly.
• Re-evaluate your security practices-do you lock your doors and windows?  Do others have access to your residence?  Do you record serial numbers of your valuables and register them with the Campus Safety Department?
• You may have feelings of anxiety or insecurity after the burglary has occurred. This  is normal.  If you are experiencing any post traumatic distress, contact Counseling and Psychological Services at (315) 228-7385.
• Request the name of the investigator with each department and a contact number or email address.   

If you are a victim of identity theft

• Close all accounts and indicate why.
• Report the crime to the Campus Safety Department or local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Place a fraud alert on you credit reports.  Law enforcement will assist you with contacting one of the three credit bureaus: Equifax (800-255-6285), Experian (888-397-3742), or TransUnion (800-680-7289).
• Contact your bank, ask that new passwords be assigned to your accounts.
• Avoid using common numbers for your passwords -- the last four digits of your Social Security number, or series of consecutive numbers.
• To replace a Social Security number call the SS Administration Office.
• Contact the post office if you suspect that an identity thief submitted a change of address form with the  in order to get your mail.

If you are a victim of sexual assault

• Find a safe place away from the person who violated you.
• Get medical attention immediately -- even if you are not physically injured -- consider STDs and pregnancy.  The Student Health Center or Community Memorial Hospital can assist you.
• Preserve evidence -- do not bathe, shower, douche, change clothes, change bedding, brush teeth, chew gum, or eat or drink anything.  
• Request the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam.
• If you suspect that you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected.
• To report the assault, contact the Campus Safety Department (315-228-7333) or Hamilton Police Department (315-824-3311 or 911).
• Talk with a counselor who is trained to assist rape victims.  Contact the counseling center at (315-228-7385) or contact campus safety and request to speak with the counselor on call.  You may also contact Victims of Violence Services of Madison County at (315-366-5000).
• Remember that the assault was not your fault.
  
  
  If you are a victim of any crime on or off campus, contact the Colgate University Campus Safety         Department at (315) 228-7333 or Hamilton Police Department at (315) 824-3311 or dial 911.