International Students Q & A

1. International Students Q & A Sergeant Timothy Dow MiraCosta College Campus Police

2. About Campus Police Created in 1994 in response to an on-campus assault 1 Chief of Police, 2 Sergeants, 6 Officers You will see us on foot, bicycle, and in police cars We are very friendly, approachable, and willing to help “Busting” people isn’t our main job!!! We are nice  Our core missions are Public Safety/Crime Prevention, Parking Services, and Emergency Preparedness We are open from 7 am to 11 pm M – F, 7 am to 3 pm S We are located in Lot 1-A on the Oceanside Campus You can contact us at (760) 795-6640 (or 6640 from an on-campus telephone) You can also contact us via the “call boxes” Languages spoken at Campus Police: Albanian, ASL, Spanish; translation service is available

3. Getting “Pulled Over” While driving a car in the United States, a police car is behind you and flashing their lights and siren. You pull over to the side of the road and the police officer speaks to you. You don’t understand what the police officer is saying. After a long time of waiting, the police officer gives you a ticket. What would you do?

4. What You Should Do Pull over to the right side of the road immediately when you see the lights/siren of the police car Stay inside the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel Don’t do anything unless told to do so by the police officer Have your registration/insurance documents available If you don’t understand the police officer, ask him or her if there is a police officer available who speaks your language (there is a translation service available) Don’t argue with the police officer; you can go to court later and talk to the judge about the ticket

5. What You Don’t Want to Happen 

6. Another Thing You Shouldn’t Do 

7. Having a Party You have people over to your house on a Friday night. You have some beer, and guests bring beer with them. The police come to the house because the neighbors called. The police find there are people at the party who are under the age of 21. The people living in the house are arrested for providing alcohol to people under the age of 21. What would you do?

8. What You Should Do You are always responsible for guests in your home (civilly and sometimes criminally). Make sure to never give underage people alcohol! Parties can grow out of control; make sure you allow only people you know and trust to come into your home If an underage person drinks alcohol at your home and gets into an accident when they leave, you will be in serious trouble Make it a house rule that no underage people will be allowed to drink alcohol in your home The legal drinking age in the United States is 21

9. Losing Your Purse or Wallet After dancing at a night club, you discover that your wallet or purse is missing. Inside your wallet or purse were your passport, cash, credit cards, and your ATM card What would you do?

10. What You Should Do Report the loss IMMEDIATELY to the police! Don’t wait until you get home, go back to school, etc. Get a case number/copy of the report! Contact your bank IMMEDIATELY (even while waiting for the police) to cancel the cards (time is money) Get a credit report a month or so after the loss to make sure your identity has not been stolen If you are the victim of identity theft, report it IMMEDIATELY to the police and the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) Consider paying for a credit monitoring service

11. Car Accident You are driving and a car in front of you stops suddenly and you run into the back of the car What would you do?

12. What You Should Do Stop and contact the other driver If possible and if no one is hurt, move the vehicles to the side of the road (it is dangerous to leave them in the road) Call the police if someone is hurt/the cars cannot be moved Exchange your driver’s license, insurance, registration, address, and telephone information with the other driver Make sure you get all of the other driver’s information Don’t argue with, or apologize to, the other driver Contact you insurance company ASAP (they will handle the rest) If the police are involved, get a case number for any report

13. You are Asked for Identification While waiting for the bus, a woman in a uniform asks for your identification. You show your student ID card from MiraCosta College, then she asks you for your passport. You don’t have your passport with you. What would you do?

14. What You Should Do The United States Border Patrol has been checking the identification of passengers aboard public transit (bus, trolley, train). They look like this: They will identify themselves as Border Patrol agents Be polite and show them your passport

15. What You Should Do (continued) If you don’t have your passport/visa, they have the right to detain you until they can check their records to make sure you are in the U.S. legally It is very important to always have your passport/visa with you. If you have a green card, it is against the law to not carry it with you at all times If you don’t believe the person is a law enforcement officer, ask to speak with a uniformed police officer. Never argue or try to run away; be polite and respectful

16. Shoplifting Several semesters ago, we encountered a problem with an International Student “shoplifting” The student was arrested by the police Theft/robbery/fraud are all examples of “Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude” (or CIMTs) CIMTs are all crimes that will result in the cancellation of your visa/deportation

17. Sexual Harassment Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature Sexual Harassment is not a custom in the United States, and you do not have to tolerate it! If you have a problem with someone acting inappropriately toward you, report it immediately!

18. Other Issues Domestic Violence – if you are involved in an abusive relationship, please get help! Tell someone you trust (your teacher, counselor, Campus Police). We can help you (even if the violence is not happening on campus), and it will be confidential. Landlord/Tennant problems – the Vista courthouse has volunteers to help you with rental issues. Contact Campus Police for more information Police Reports – sometimes the city police are too busy to take a report for you. Campus Police can sometimes make a report for you when the city police are unable (especially if you lose your passport). Contact us any time 

19. Safety on Campus In 2008 at MCC: 1 aggravated assault, 1 burglary, and 3 stolen vehicles In comparison, at SDSU in 2008: 6 forcible sex offenses, 4 robberies, 20 aggravated assaults, 54 burglaries, and 95 stolen vehicles

20. Basic Safety Precautions • It is important to observe the following safety precautions: • Never leave you belongings unattended/unsecured • Lock your car and roll up the windows • Use the “buddy system” – walk with a friend (especially in the parking lots at night) • Be aware of your surroundings • Avoid isolated or dark areas; use sidewalks • Go to populated areas if you are being followed/harassed • Have the telephone number to Campus Police in your cell phone • Call Campus Police for a safety escort if you think you need one! We are happy to provide this service • Know where the nearest “call box” is • Report all crimes/suspicious activity to Campus Police

21. Safety Escort Service Anyone can ask for a safety escort by calling Campus Police The service is provided during all regular operating hours You can even schedule a safety escort ahead of time by calling X 6640

22. Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Campus Police offers a free self-defense class for female affiliates of the College The class focuses on self-defense, risk awareness, avoidance, and the recognition and reduction of threats It is offered each semester; to register, call X 6640 At the end, attendees get to try out their new skills on a cop 

23. Campus Police Website Visit our website at the following address for more information: www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/CampusPolice Call us anytime!!! We are very responsive and nice 

24. Questions?