If you’re new to campus this year (or even if you’ve called Iowa City home for a while), you may not understand the differences between a Hawk Alert and a Crime Alert, both of which Campus Safety sends you so that you can make informed decisions about your health and safety.
It’s important to understand the differences between these types of messages so you can be prepared and stay safe. Here’s what each alert means and why they are sent.
What prompts alerts
Both Hawk Alerts and Crime Alerts are issued in accordance with the Clery Act. The Clery Act is a federal law that requires universities to disclose information to help prevent crimes, identify offenders, and keep the campus community safe. The university provides these alerts to share information you may need to enhance your personal safety while also maintaining the confidentiality and identifying information of victims.
A Hawk Alert informs you about an immediate threat (happening now) to the health or safety of the campus community — such as acts of violence, severe weather, or fires in progress.
A Crime Alert provides you with a timely warning about an incident that has already occurred but may pose a serious or continuing safety threat to the campus community. Crime Alerts describe incidents that happen in the UI’s Clery Geography, meaning they took place on campus, on public property near campus, or at an off-campus building that is affiliated with university—such as a sorority or fraternity house.
Crime Alerts are only sent for Clery Act crimes, which tend to be more serious. A few examples of Clery-reportable crimes include robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, a rash of motor vehicle thefts, arson, sexual assault, and murder/manslaughter. You can review a list on the Campus Safety website. The university complies with its legal obligation to alert campus to reportable crimes, but please also keep in mind that crime committed on or around campus may not meet the criteria for a Crime Alert.
When alerts are issued
Hawk Alerts are issued about events that are happening at that time— as soon as law enforcement confirms the event.
Crime Alerts are issued in a timely manner once a crime has been reported to Campus Safety, or other campus security authority. Alerts are sometimes delayed for a variety of reasons, including:
- A crime wasn't reported right away to Campus Safety.
- The crime was first reported to a partner law enforcement agency before the report eventually reached Campus Safety.
- The initial crime report lacked important information, and Campus Safety must gather the information to issue an alert.
Keep in mind that no alert will be issued if a suspect is immediately arrested or detained and there is no imminent or ongoing threat.
How alerts are issued
Hawk Alerts are sent to all UI students and employees via email, text message, phone call, and/or desktop notification, depending on your settings. You cannot opt out of emails and are strongly encouraged to sign up for text messages, which are the fastest way to receive notifications during emergencies.
Crime Alerts are emailed to all faculty, staff, and students. The university does not permit users to opt out of receiving them.
What action to take after an alert
Because Hawk Alerts involve current, active threats or incidents, you should follow the instructions in the alert while considering where you are in relation to the event. For example, if you receive a Hawk Alert about a suspicious package outside of a building you are in, follow the instructions in the Hawk Alert as well as directions from on-site emergency responders. If you are elsewhere on campus, avoid the area until an all-clear Hawk Alert is issued or the weather warning has expired.
While Crime Alerts inform you about events that already occurred, you should still take steps to ensure your personal safety and follow the alert’s safety tips. For example, if you receive a Crime Alert about a burglary that took place in your residence hall, make sure you lock the door to your room and secure your valuable items.
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Article written by Kayli Reese, Office of Strategic Communication