10 LEHIGH UNIVERSITY Act crime poses a serious or ongoing threat. The core purpose of a Timely Warning is preventative: to share verified, actionable information as quickly as possible so community members can take steps to protect themselves. Decision Criteria Determinations to issue a Timely Warning are made on a case-by-case basis when an incident meets three core conditions: • Reported Crime: A Clery-reportable crime is reported to Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) or local law enforcement agencies. • Unapprehended Suspect: The perpetrator has not been identified or taken into custody. • Ongoing Risk: The situation represents a substantial, continuing threat to the safety of students or employees. Crimes Covered Lehigh may issue Timely Warnings for major Cleryreportable offenses, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and hate crimes. Warnings may also be issued for alcohol, drug, or weapons arrests and disciplinary referrals if they present a continuing threat to the community. Authorization & Review • Standard Review: The Office of the Chief of Police evaluates incident reports and determines whether a warning is required, typically in consultation with University Communications. • Urgent Situations: Any police supervisor or police dispatcher has full authority to authorize an immediate warning when rapid dissemination is critical. Off-Campus Events & Safety Bulletins • Off-Campus Incidents: Lehigh may issue warnings for off-campus crimes if they occur in non-campus locations heavily used and frequented by the university population, or when alerted to ongoing hazards by local police. • Non-Clery Safety Alerts: If a situation does not meet the strict definitions of a Clery crime or Clery geography, the Chief of Police (or a designee) may choose to issue a general “Safety Alert” or “Safety Bulletin” to notify the campus of potential safety concerns. Emergency Notifications Lehigh University issues Emergency Notifications immediately upon confirming a significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on campus that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees, or visitors. Unlike Timely Warnings, Emergency Notifications encompass a broader spectrum of hazards, including active violence, severe weather, structural fires, hazardous material spills, or public health emergencies. Confirmation & Crisis Response • Threat Confirmation: The Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) confirms the existence of an immediate threat, coordinating with local emergency authorities as necessary. • Message Development: LUPD and University Communications determine the scope of the alert, the target audience, and the initial message content. • Crisis Management Oversight: Members of the Crisis Management Team may convene to direct ongoing emergency operations, supplemental messaging, and campus-wide logistics. Immediate Issuance & Exceptions Emergency Notifications are issued without delay. The only exception is if issuing the alert would, in the professional judgment of first responders, compromise efforts to assist a victim, contain the incident, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
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