The Middlebury College Department of Public Safety is committed to a proactive approach, which enables us through education, officer presence and community awareness to stop many potential incidents before they occur. It is the goal of the department to create a partnership between the DPS and community members. This partnership assists us in uniting our efforts and encourages each member of the community in taking an active role in their own safety and the safety concerns of others.
To this end, the DPS is active in the following programs and activities.
R.A.D. Program
The Rape Aggression and Defense Program, also known as R.A.D., is a program that is offered to our female students, staff and faculty. This is an opportunity to gain empowerment and education as well as selfdefense technique training. We currently have three certified instructors on our public safety staff. Classes are publicized when offered or interested females can contact the Department of Public Safety at 443-5911.
Midd Watch Program
The Midd Watch program was developed by the Middlebury College Department of Public Safety to help members of the College community protect their valuables. Midd Watch is Middlebury College’s name for a similar nationwide program
“Operation Identification”. These programs involve the permanent marking of valuables with your college identification number and recording identification information. The Midd Watch program is designed to help prevent thefts, aid law enforcement agencies in the recovery of stolen property and aid theft victims with reporting to the police and insurance companies. This program not only deters thefts by making stolen property more difficult to sell and easier to identify, but also expedites insurance claims in the event of loss. This program is available to all members of the Middlebury College community. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate. However, your participation in the Midd Watch program does not make Middlebury College or its employees responsible for the security of your valuables.
The program works as follows:
- Come to the Department of Public Safety and you will be provided with the following
- An electric engraver. This will be signed out to you by leaving your Midd Card with one of the staff at the Department of Public Safety. You are encouraged to return the engraver as soon as possible so others may use it.
- A property inventory sheet on which you record identification information for each item of value.
- Engrave your identification number on all moveable items of value. If an item has removable parts, be sure to mark all of the parts.
- Methodically inventory the contents of each room and record the pertinent identification on the property inventory sheet
- Return the engraver and the completed property inventory sheet to the Department of Public Safety. You will be given a copy of the completed form and the original will be kept in the Department of Public Safety in a confidential file. If you should sell or give away one of these items on the list, be sure to contact us in writing so that we can note it in your file. Conversely, do the same should you buy or be given any new
items that you wish included with your file.
Bicycle Registration
Students, faculty and staff that use bicycles on campus are required to register their bicycles at the Department of Public Safety. The owner completes a registration form and then they are issued a Middlebury College decal with a license number on it. The owner then affixes this decal to the bicycle. A copy of the registration form is maintained at the DPS and another copy is sent to Middlebury Police Department. This results in the bicycle being registered on campus as well as with the Town of Middlebury.
Midd Ride Program
The Midd Ride Program is a student operated transportation service on the Middlebury College Campus. The service operates Sunday through Thursday from 7:30pm-1:30am. Midd Rides transports students, faculty and staff to on-campus locations during the academic year. Midd Rides does not provide transportation to off-campus locations. The Midd Ride telephone number is RIDE (x7433). The Midd Ride van is operated by teams of students during the week and staff on the weekends.
Midd Ride Program
The Midd Ride Program is a student operated transportation service on the Middlebury College Campus. The service operates Sunday through Thursday from 7:30pm-1:30am. Midd Rides transports students, faculty and staff to on-campus locations during the academic year. Midd Rides does not provide transportation to off-campus locations. The Midd Ride telephone number is RIDE (x7433). The Midd Ride van is operated by teams of students during the week and staff on the weekends.
Meetings and Task Forces
The DPS meets on an ongoing basis with members of the Middlebury Police Department to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. Additionally, DPS members participate in the Addison County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Task Force.
Lighting Tours
Members of the DPS meet interested community members annually to conduct a lighting tour of campus to identify and prioritize areas of campus where more lighting may be needed to create a higher level of visibility and overall safety. Public
Safety officers regularly check outdoor and indoor lighting and notify Facilities Services when a repair is needed.
Safety Alerts
DPS creates and distributes Safety Alerts when a specific safety issue arises and requires public notification. See the “Timely Notice” section of this booklet for more information on how notification is accomplished.
Crime Prevention and Safety Talks
The DPS will, upon request of individual groups or departments on campus, give specific crime prevention and safety talks to students or staff members in their facilities.
Safety Alerts
DPS creates and distributes Safety Alerts when a specific safety issue arises and requires public notification. See the “Timely Notice” section of this booklet for more information on how notification is accomplished.
Crime Prevention and Safety Talks
The DPS will, upon request of individual groups or departments on campus, give specific crime prevention and safety talks to students or staff members in their facilities.
Crime Prevention and Safety Talks
The DPS will, upon request of individual groups or departments on campus, give specific crime prevention and safety talks to students or staff members in their facilities.
Safety Escorts
Public Safety officers on patrol will provide safety escorts to and from on-campus locations during the hours of darkness when personal safety is a concern. See the Medical Transportation section of this booklet for information on transporting sick, injured or intoxicated students.