Public Safety Programs

Public Safety offers a variety of educational programs and services. For more information about these programs or to learn about additional offerings, visit the Public Safety website.

Glass entrance door with gold lettering for Campus Police, Fire & Life Safety, and College of Charleston EMS, reflecting nearby street and buildings.

Rape Aggression Defense (Rad) System

The RAD System is a comprehensive course for women that teaches awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance of various types of assault, and the basics of hands-on defense training. It is taught by RAD System-certified Public Safety Officers. For class dates and times, please email rad@cofc.edu or visit the Public Safety website.

Safety Escort Service

A security escort is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get you to or from locations on campus —including class, a residence hall or parking lot/garage — when you don’t feel safe traveling alone. This program is staffed by our on-patrol officers and serves more than 11,000 students. Requests for a security escort are dispatched immediately. However, there may at times be a delay. If this occurs, please place your call again.

This program is not substitute transportation for errands, a means to get to your parttime job or to take the place of your designated driver. Abuse of this service dilutes the effectiveness of the program for individuals who truly need a security escort.

Cougar Shuttle

City bus stopped at a sidewalk lined with large oak trees, as pedestrians walk past streetlamps and a banner reading “College of Charleston.”

The Cougar Shuttle operates seven nights a week from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. during spring and fall semesters. This service is free to all students with a current Cougar Card. To arrange for pick-up, call 888.960.2227. The shuttle driver will provide an estimated time of arrival at the requested pick-up location, and will transport you to your destination on the Charleston peninsula.

 

Emergency Call Boxes

The College has emergency call boxes located throughout campus. The boxes are for direct emergency contact with Public Safety, but may also be used for assistance if you have a flat tire, have locked your keys in the car, etc.

To use the call box:

  • Push in the call button and release. (An automated emergency alert is directed to the Public Safety dispatcher indicating your location. Public Safety officers will be sent to that location immediately.)
  • A dispatcher will contact the caller.
  • To talk with the dispatcher, hold button down.
  • Release the button to listen.

For the locations of call boxes, please refer to the campus map or the Public Safety website.

Crime Action Line

The crime action line allows concerned community members to anonymously report any information they feel is critical to the safety or security of the College or Charleston area. By reporting suspicious behavior, safety hazards or illegal behavior, you can help law enforcement take a proactive approach to the safety and well-being of the community.

To access the Crime Action Line, dial 843.953.4998 and leave a message. Do not use this line in an emergency, as it is never answered. Call 911 if you have an emergency.