FAQ Contents

3. Entry into Premises; Confiscation Procedures

Seizure of items by Security in connection with an incident investigation will generally be limited to items or materials evidenced by plain view observation. Items subject to being taken include evidence of a crime or violation of regulations; contraband; weapons; illegal drugs; and, potentially hazardous materials. Searches other than plain view observations are to be conducted only after obtaining consent; at the direction of a senior UR official having program authority for the area; in support to a proper search warrant being executed by a law enforcement officer; or, if an exigent circumstance affecting immediate health/life safety risk is noted. Searches are intended to be limited to the purpose(s) for which entry was made or to resolve immediate health/life safety conditions. Whenever possible, they will be conducted in conjunction with Residential Life and/or Dean of Students Office representative present, unless prohibited by exigent circumstances or for reasons articulated by a law enforcement officer. In cases where a representative is not available or cannot be contacted, other notifications will be made as soon as possible given the event circumstances.

Residential Housing Patrol Guidelines

It is the intention of University Security Services to provide proactive, preventive patrols in public spaces within University residential and leased housing. Security foot patrols of residential areas should be conducted with the goal of promoting the health and safety of the residential community; to provide defense of personal and University property; to provide a visible deterrent and security omnipresence to help repress crime and other behavior deemed unacceptable by the University; to assure that building systems are functioning properly; to ensure adherence to University Policy/Procedures/Sanctions and to cultivate positive attitudes and open avenues of communication with those residing, working and visiting the housing areas.

Definitions:

Preventive Foot Patrol:

A consistent, thorough and random check of an area where officers avoid predictability in their patrol method.

Public Space:

Any space not considered private living space. In residence halls and fraternity houses, public space generally includes lounges, community rooms, kitchens, eating areas, building entrances, lobbies, porches, patios, stairways, balconies, elevators, hallways, tunnels, mechanical spaces, trash rooms and loading docks. Public space may be expanded to include areas such as walk-in coolers and storage rooms in response to sanctions imposed by the Dean of Students Office.

Residential/Leased Housing:

All River Campus and Eastman School of Music Dormitories and River Campus Fraternity Houses.

Security Officer Patrol Expectations

1. Must demonstrate interest and ability to initiate patrol related activity.
2. Must maintain a honed awareness of the geography and changes in program within patrol areas.
3. Must strive to complete at least one complete foot patrol check of all residential/leased-housing areas per shift.
4. Must avoid establishing a routine in patrol methods. Individual building checks, travel routes and general patrol patterns should be staggered on a regular basis.
5. Must enter residential areas through established doorways. (Use fire escapes or other means of entry only in emergency situations.)
6. Must restrict general foot patrols to areas within residential buildings classified as "public".
7. Must accurately complete patrol log sheets indicating date/time areas were individually patrolled.
8. Must provide equal attention among all residential/leased housing areas. Note: Security Management may put individual areas/buildings on "Special Attention" in response to a specific activity or incident.
9. Must promptly report and document building deficiencies, hazardous conditions, suspicious activity, activity that necessitates action and violations of New York State Laws and /or University Policy/Procedure/Sanctions noted during patrol of area. Inform area leadership staff or house officer whenever possible if activity or incidents are documented on a Security Case Report in their area.
10. Must facilitate positive community relations through active communication and personal demonstration of consistent, fair, impartial, helpful and courteous conduct.

Leased Housing Room Entry Guidelines

It is the intention of University Security Services to assure all reasonable privacy is extended to those residing in rooms and apartments leased from the University. When appropriate, advance notification should be given to housing occupants before security staff enter an individual room or apartment. However, there will be instances when it will become necessary for security staff to enter housing rooms and apartments without notice to carry out protective or personal safety duties.

Entry Steps

1. Knock loudly on the room or apartment door, clearly announce your identity, ask occupants to allow you to enter and state your intention (to enter) if occupants do not respond to your entry request.
2. Under all circumstances, security officers shall contact and obtain authorization from a security supervisor before entering a housing room or apartment when the occupant has not requested the door opening or invited the officer to enter.
3. When a decision is made to open a housing room without the occupant's knowledge or permission, security staff shall, whenever possible, make contact with a housing staff representative from the list below. Housing staff will provide assistance in obtaining a key for the room (as needed) and act as a witness to the entry. Security staff shall not enter a locked housing room without a witness unless entry is required to investigate an immediate personal safety concern, serious property concern, or fire/fire alarm investigation (with security supervisor knowledge and approval).

   A) Building Manager,
   B) Property Management Representative,
   C) Resident Adviser,
   D) Community Assistants,
   E) Area Coordinator,
   F) Residential Life Director, or
   G) Fraternity House Officer

4. All entries made to housing rooms without the occupant's knowledge or permission must be appropriately documented (Case Report) outlining the incident in question, persons present and reason for entry.

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