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Timely Warning

“All of us want to be alerted promptly to potentially dangerous criminal situations near our homes or workplaces so that we have both the time and the information necessary to take appropriate precautions.”  

-The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, 2016 Edition 

  

What is a Timely Warning? 

Timely Warnings are notifications sent to the campus community about crimes that fall under the Clery Act. To be considered a Clery crime, it must also have taken place within the KU Clery Geography. When a Clery crime is committed, the impacted campus’ Timely Warning Team must also determine whether the incident poses a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. If a crime falls within the Clery crime classifications, occurs within the Clery geography, and is perceived by the Timely Warning Team as an ongoing threat, a campus-wide notification will be issued for the impacted campus. Timely Warnings are distributed via campus-wide email and social media posts as soon as pertinent information is available, withholding names of victims as confidential, with the goal of aiding in the prevention of similar occurrences. The University is not required to issue a Timely Warning with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor.  

  

Which Crimes Are Timely Warnings Typically Issued For?  

Timely Warnings are typically issued for the following Uniform Crime Reporting/National Incident Based Reporting System crime classifications:  

  • Murder/non-negligent manslaughter. 
  • Sexual assault   
  • Including rape, fondling, statutory rape, and incest.  
  • Each incident will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the facts of the case; when and where the incident occurred; when it was reported; and the amount of information known by the authorized individual doing the assessment.  
  • In cases involving sexual assault, they are often reported after the incident occurred, thus the university is no longer able to distribute a “timely” warning to the community.  
  • All cases of sexual assault, including stranger and non-stranger/acquaintance cases, will be assessed for potential issuance of a Timely Warning. 
  • Robbery involving force or violence 
  • Cases including pickpocketing and purse snatching will typically not result in the issuance of a Timely Warning but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Aggravated assault  
  • Cases involving assaults among known parties, such as two roommates fighting, which results in an aggravated injury, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if the individual is believed to be an ongoing threat to the larger campus community. 
  • A string of burglaries or motor vehicle thefts that occur in reasonably close proximity to one another. 
  • Major incidents of arson 
  • Examples of major incidents include, but are not limited to, setting multiple objects on fire during a single incident, using an accelerant intended to cause a large fire. Examples of a minor incident that may not result in a Timely Warning include, but are not limited to, finding a singed piece of paper on a bulletin board, burning trash, which can be due to a lit cigarette being thrown away. 
  • Other Clery Act crimes as determined necessary by the Timely Warning Team or their designee in their absence. 

  

  

Timely Warning Contents:  

Timely Warnings are developed with the following information, to the extent that such information is known: 

  • A brief statement of the incident 
  • The date and time of the incident 
  • The location or general location 
  • The nature of the crime 
  • Relevant prevention tips or information that will promote safety and potentially aid in the prevention of similar crimes, enabling people to protect themselves, specifying what the Team, given the information they have, wants community members to do or not do 
  • Possible connection to previous incidents, if applicable 
  • Physical description of the alleged suspect, if known and deemed appropriate 
  • Date and time the warning is released 
  • Police/Public Safety agency contact information 
  • Other relevant information. 

  

Additionally, follow-up Timely Warnings may be issued to provide updated information, announce the arrest or identification of a suspect, or announce the resolution of the incident.   

  

How to Report:  

Anyone with information warranting a Timely Warning should immediately report the circumstances to campus police/security or local law enforcement by calling 911.