Safety and security are essential to us. We want everyone to feel protected while on campus, whether you are a student, a faculty member, or a staff member.
Resources For
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TSTC Police Departments
Harlingen
Fort Bend County
832-586-2646 & 956-873-2677
Marshall
903-923-3351 & 903-503-2256
New Braunfels
956-364-4220 & 956-873-2677
Sweetwater
300 Homer K Taylor Dr.
325-235-7400
325-235-7400
Safety & Security
TSTC Police Departments are here to provide a safe environment for you by:
- Enforcing state and college regulations
- Protecting the campus community and property
- Preventing crime
- Educating the campus community in law enforcement areas
- Administering first aid
- Aiding other college departments in their mission
- Counseling and referring you to campus resources
- Assisting campus visitors
- Parking and Traffic Regulations
Because a school is a unique community with unique objectives, we have established policies and rules to guide student, employee and visitor behavior. We enforce all federal and state laws and city ordinances.
Please become familiar with the rules outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and abide by them. We reserve the right to require your withdrawal at any time if your actions are deemed to be contrary to the best interests of the student body or TSTC.
We care about your safety.
We have developed a comprehensive safety program to identify and mitigate safety hazards for students, employees and visitors.
Get up-to-date travel information at the Texas Department of Transportation’s DriveTexas.org website.
Hurricane preparedness
- Texas General Land Office
- If you live in Cameron County, see the Cameron County Emergency Management website.
- For Fort Bend County, see the Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website.
- Ready.gov is a national public safety group that provides hurricane preparedness information.
- The Texas State Office of Risk Management carries updated hurricane information.
Emergency Procedures
If someone experiences a medical emergency:
- Remain calm.
- Notify TSTC Police or, if the situation warrants, dial 911.
- Do NOT move the victim.
- Clear the area of unnecessary personnel.
- Do not render treatment unless you are trained in basic first aid.
- Relinquish control once someone with a higher level of medical ability arrives at scene.
- Leave through nearest exit; do NOT run.
- Close doors behind you; do NOT lock them.
- Gather outside at designated areas.
- Wait for administrator in charge or emergency personnel to give the “ALL CLEAR” to reenter.
When the decision is made to take shelter:
- Listen for instructions.
- Take shelter in designated areas.
- Do NOT use elevators.
- Remain indoors and away from windows.
- Avoid/Run — Avoid or leave the area.
- Deny/Hide — Seek shelter. Take cover and barricade yourself.
- Defend/Fight — Preserve your life with a purpose.
- Wait for “ALL CLEAR” from police or first responder.
- Dial 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you detect a fire:
- Activate fire alarm pull station.
- Do NOT use elevators.
- Evacuate building.
- Dial 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.
Safety personnel
Denise Akins
Safety, Health, and Environmental Affairs Officer
Fabio Luis Hernandez
Safety, Health, and Environmental Affairs Officer
Teresa Nevarez
Safety, Health, and Environmental Affairs Officer
Crime Prevention Tips
- Always walk or jog with a friend, never alone.
- If you can’t find someone to go with you, contact the Campus Police/Security for an escort to your destination.
- Stay alert by avoiding using headphones while walking, driving or jogging.
- Always walk in well-lighted areas.
- Avoid shortcuts and use paths that are well-known and highly visible.
- After dark, avoid large bushes or doorways where someone could be lurking.
- If someone in a vehicle stops and asks for directions, answer from a distance. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle.
- If you are followed, go immediately to an area with lights and people or turn around and walk in the opposite direction.
- If someone in a vehicle follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the license plate number and report it to the Campus Police/Security as soon as possible.
- Avoid displaying cash openly, especially when leaving an ATM.
- If someone follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the license plate number and report it to the appropriate Police Department as soon as possible.
- Park in a well-lit parking lot close to your destination.
- If you are trapped in your car, honk your horn in quick short bursts to attract attention.
- Lock your car whenever you leave your vehicle.
- When returning to your car, have your keys ready so that you can enter your vehicle quickly. If you have to look into a purse or pocket to find them, you can lose sight of what is around you.
- As you approach your vehicle, look underneath it to make sure no one is hiding there.
- Before you enter your vehicle, check to be sure the doors are locked.
- Look for uninvited passengers in the back seat or on the floor. If your door locks are not the way you left them or you see someone inside, leave the area quickly and notify the Campus Police/Security.
- Avoid picking up hitchhikers.
- Learn as much as you can about the person before you go out with them, specifically their attitudes toward consent, personal space and acceptable behavior.
- Express yourself clearly. Don’t worry about insulting your date; your safety is more important than disagreeing with someone. Make your boundaries clear before you get into a potentially compromising situation.
- Avoid secluded places like parks or deserted areas. Suggest meeting in public places where help will be nearby if you need it.
- Arrange your own transportation, especially if you do not know the person well. Drive, use public transportation, go out with a group or another couple.
- Be careful with alcohol and drugs; they can cloud your judgment and slow your responses. Be aware of your date’s use of alcohol or drugs.
- Make sure that sturdy, working locks are installed on all doors and windows. Lock your door(s) anytime you leave your room, even if you are just going down the hall or to your neighbors.
- Leave lights on while you are out, and have your keys ready when you return.
- Vary your daily routine, if possible, so it is not predictable.
- If your home or room looks like it has been broken into, call the campus police. Wait for them to arrive before you enter.
- If you receive an obscene or threatening telephone call, end the call without saying anything. Engaging or reacting verbally will only encourage the offender.
- Use caution when giving out credit card numbers unless you initiate the transaction. Be careful when someone calls you to sell something and then asks you to pay with a credit card.
- Keep money, jewelry and any other valuables hidden in your room at all times.
Missing housing resident
If you believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing is missing, notify the TSTC Police Department immediately. TSTC Police will create a Missing Person Report and initiate an investigation.
If the TSTC Police find that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours, they will notify the student’s emergency contact or a confidentially identified individual.
Naming a confidential contact
In addition to an emergency contact, you can identify a confidential contact if you live in on-campus housing. This person will be notified if you are missing for more than 24 hours. However, if you are under 18 years old and are not an emancipated individual, federal law requires us to notify a parent or guardian.
Lost and found
Lost and found items are turned over to the TSTC Police Department or designated campus lead, who makes every effort to return the item(s) to the owner. If the owner cannot be reached, the property will be held for 30 days. After 30 days, the unclaimed property will be disposed of following the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.17.
