Timely Warnings & Public Safety Alerts

Review the lists for both campuses of the Timely Warnings and Public Safety Alerts that the Department of Public Safety of Owens Community College have issued, organized by year.

The Timely Warning is designed to give students, faculty and staff timely notification of a crime that constitutes a danger to the College community. Such information is a valuable tool in heightening safety awareness and obtaining information which may lead to an arrest and conviction of a perpetrator.

The College issues a Timely Warning when a crime is reported to the Department of Public Safety or adjoining law enforcement agency and it is determined that such offense represents a threat to the safety of the College community. Every attempt is made to distribute the alert within 48 hours of the time the incident is reported; however, the release of the crime alert is subject to the availability of facts concerning the incident.

An alert is distributed by email and can also be found at the Owens Community College Department of Public Safety website.

Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents can call the Owens Department of Public Safety at (567) 661-7575 or anonymous reporting online by submitting a silent witness form.

November 27, 2018

The Owens Community College’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been informed of three recent thefts which have occurred on the Toledo Campus. One of the thefts occurred in an unlocked office at the Center for Fine & Performing Arts, one occurred from an unlocked office in Bicentennial Hall, and one occurred from a locker room located in Health Technologies. Cash and credit cards are included in the items stolen. DPS is actively investigating these incidents. However, suspect information is limited at this time.

February 14, 2018

Evacuation Notice, Industrial and Engineering Technologies, 12:10 a.m.: As a precautionary measure due to a natural gas leak please evacuate Industrial and Engineering Technologies immediately. Classes/activities will resume upon being issued an all-clear notice.

All-clear Notice, Industrial and Engineering Technologies, 12:35 p.m.: An all-clear has been issued. Classes will resume.

We report these incidents to help raise awareness in and among the College community and to enable community members to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of crime.

This Public Safety Notice is issued in compliance with the “Timely Warning” provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998. 34 CFR 668.46(e).

UPDATE: Timely Warning Notice: September 7, 2017—Sexual Imposition (Heritage Hall)

Dear Campus Community,

Last evening, September 6th, the Department of Public Safety arrested Dwain Steven Curry (20) for the offenses of sexual imposition and indecent exposure related to an incident occurring one week earlier in Heritage Hall on the Toledo-area Campus. Mr. Curry was booked into the Wood County Justice Center and is scheduled for arraignment this morning.

The Department of Public Safety would like to thank the community for the numerous tips and information we received that ultimately resulted in his arrest and bringing this incident to closure.

A trespass warning was also issued. Mr. Curry is not permitted on any Owens Campus or Learning Center, or on any property owned or operated by Owens State Community College without first receiving permission from the Director of Student Conduct and Student Life/Title IX Coordinator.

Thank you,
The Department of Public Safety

August 30, 2017: Sexual Imposition

The Owens Community College’s Department of Public Safety was informed of a possible sexual imposition of a female that occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, inside a classroom at Heritage Hall by an unknown male. The subject was described as a black male, 18-20 years of age, wearing a red colored t-shirt, tan shorts with a tan colored belt, and carrying a red colored backpack. An arrest has not been made.

Members of the community are encouraged to report instances of sexual assault and seek support. Owens Department of Public Safety, the Office of Student Services, the Title IX coordinator and Counseling Services are among the campus units that students can turn to for resources and support.

We report these incidents to help raise awareness in and among the College community and to enable community members to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of crime.

February 14, 2017

Class Cancellations/Early Closing, 10:48 a.m.: Due to a utility problem, all OCC classes/activities on the Toledo Campus have been canceled for the remainder of today. Classes will resume as scheduled tomorrow 2/15.

Evacuation Notice, College Hall, 10:12 a.m.: As a precautionary measure due to a natural gas leak please evacuate College Hall immediately. Classes/activities will resume upon being issued an all-clear notice.

Evacuation Notice, Heritage Hall, 10 a.m.; Due to a natural gas leak please evacuate Heritage Hall immediately. Emergency crews are on scene. Classes/activities will resume upon being issued an all-clear notice.

 

There were no Timely Warnings issues for the following years:

  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016

January 30, 2012: Off Campus Robberies— Arrest Made

Owens Community College: Department of Public Safety

Location: Barney’s Convenience Mart, 1130 Buck Road

UPDATE – A Rossford man has been arrested and is suspected of taking part in several robberies at the Barney’s Convenience Mart, as reported in two previously issued Timely Warnings.

REMEMBER

Crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime through no fault of the victim. Students, faculty, staff and the College community should utilize personal safety precautions.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, try to remove yourself from the situation.
  • Notify local law enforcement of the suspicious activity as soon as possible.

January 26, 2012: Off Campus Robbery—Second Occurence

Owens Community College: Department of Public Safety

Location: Barney’s Convenience Mart, 1130 Buck Road

At approximately 9:30 PM (01-25-12) a white male, dressed all in black and armed with a knife, robbed the Barney’s Convenience Store located on Buck Road near I-75.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, a suspect who also used a knife robbed the same gas station around 7:10 PM. On that occasion, the suspect fled on foot.

REMEMBER

Crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime through no fault of the victim. Students, faculty, staff and the College community should utilize personal safety precautions.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, try to remove yourself from the situation.
  • Notify local law enforcement of the suspicious activity as soon as possible.
  • If you have information that may help investigators, call the Rossford Police at (419) 666-5230.

January 19, 2012: Off Campus Robbery

Owens Community College: Department of Public Safety

Location: Barney’s Convenience Mart, 1130 Buck Road

At approximately 7:10 PM (01-18-12) a white male, dressed all in black and armed with a knife, robbed the Barney’s Convenience Store located on Buck Road near I-75. The robber fled on foot.

REMEMBER

Crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime through no fault of the victim. Students, faculty, staff and the College community should utilize personal safety precautions.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, try to remove yourself from the situation.
  • Notify local law enforcement of the suspicious activity as soon as possible.

January 2011: PRESS RELEASE 01-20-11

The investigation into the Abduction of an Owens Student on 01/12/11 has concluded with the arrest of the individual that reported the crime. Jameel S. Bunch, of Toledo, was arrested by Owens Community College Police Officers on one count of Making False Alarms (felony of the 5th degree) and transported to the Wood County Justice Center for booking.

Since the reported abduction, investigators had uncovered inconsistencies in the account of what happened. When questioned, the suspect admitted to fabricating the story as a result of an ongoing drug conflict.

CASE UPDATE: 01-14-11

The investigation in to the Abduction of an Owens Student on 01/12/11 continues. Investigators have learned that the suspects in this case are known to the victim. Further investigation has determined that the abduction was not a random event and that the victim was targeted. No clear motive for the abduction has been determined, however, it appears to have been generated over a past conflict.

01/13/11

The Owens Police Division is investigating a reported abduction stated to have occurred on the Toledo Campus. The victim alleges that at 11:45am (01/12/11) he was forced to get into a dark brown Chevrolet Caprice (early 80s model with dark tinted windows) by an occupant of the vehicle that brandished a handgun. The victim escaped unharmed on 01/13/11.

A police investigation is ongoing at this time.

REMEMBER

Crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime through no fault of the victim. Students, faculty, staff and the College community should utilize personal safety precautions.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, try to remove yourself from the situation.
  • Notify local law enforcement of the suspicious activity as soon as possible.