The California College of the Arts Public Safety Department will work in concert with our diverse campus community to provide customer service and assistance with protection our community and property. We will support the educational rights of our constituents with dedication. We will adhere to our Core Values and always strive to be an innovative Public Safety Department.

The unique setting of CCA is alluring and ever changing. Although achieving higher education is the goal, sometimes invasive disorder can diminish and devalue the learning environment. The CCA Public Safety Department will strive to protect our students, faculty, and staff from those who would cause detriment. We will achieve our goals by developing genuine partnerships within our collegiate community.

Core Values

Leadership

We will motivate, inspire, reward, and empower others by our positive actions.

Equity

We are committed to fostering equity in an educational environment of respect, diversity, support and dignity for all of our campus community members.

Community

We respect the abilities of all students, faculty and staff by creating a safe environment, which in turn provides opportunities for community members to develop a strong sense of care, respect and belonging.

Teamwork

We believe in developing strong partnerships with our campus community that will support and safely ensure the educational goals of our students, faculty and staff.

CCA's Public Safety Department oversees safety and security issues at the San Francisco campus as well as the residence halls. California College of the Arts is a registered Private Security Employer (lic. # PSE 689) and employs its own Proprietary Private Security Officers (PPSO) as defined by the State of California (Business and Professions Code Section 7574.01(f)). Public Safety Officers at CCA are licensed under the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security Services (BSIS). In addition, to augment the proprietary staff during peak periods and special events, the College contracts with a licensed contract security vendor (Private Patrol Operator).

The college's proprietary and contract officers are easily discernible based on their uniforms. As licensed security professionals, CCA Public Safety Officers have the authority to ask persons for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful business on any campus facility.

Public Safety Officers are not law enforcement officers and have powers to arrest that are equivalent to any private citizen. CCA Department of Public Safety cultivates and maintains a strong working relationship with the Oakland and San Francisco Police departments. All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to immediately report the crime to the Department of Public Safety and the appropriate police agency.

Our duties and Services are limited to the following:

• Observing and Reporting Criminal Activity
• Protecting People and Property for CCA
• Providing Security Related Customer Service
• Providing Escorts
• Securing Campus property/buildings
• Maintaining Lost and Found
• Coordinating with local Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS

Why do we have security cameras on campus?

Security cameras have been in place on campus for more than 10 years to help deter theft, violence, and other illegal activities.

Why am I noticing the security cameras now when I didn’t before?

Over the summer, we finished a campus-wide project that had been in development for several years to upgrade our security systems. This included adding a few new security cameras in areas where we have experienced thefts and break-ins. The new cameras are physically larger than the old cameras they were replacing and may therefore be more noticeable.

Who can see the footage?

A limited number of designated staff have access to the system when needed for specific campus security or legal needs.  The camera feeds are not publicly accessible, and footage is not shared with outside entities unless requested and required by law, and any staff access must comply with our Information Security Policy. 

Where is the footage data stored and how long is it available?

Data is stored securely and with limited access, and is retained for a limited period of time. If a specific incident is flagged (example: an individual brandishes a weapon on campus), then the snippet of footage pertaining to the incident may be retained for a longer period of time.

What policy governs the use of this data?

All data related to campus security falls under our Information Security Policy.  

Do CCA’s cameras use AI? Do they use facial recognition software?

The system does not use facial recognition software and does not track individuals as they move around campus routinely. The new system uses AI to evaluate the physical environment, for instance if someone is carrying a weapon or if a fire or smoke is detected. In such an instance, the system will alert Public Safety. 

Are there cameras in CCA workspaces or classrooms?

CCA’s cameras are focused on monitoring public areas of the campus, such as entrances and exits to buildings, building courtyards and similar public spaces, and major walkways. There are a limited number of cameras monitoring access to buildings from the inside but these do not track or recognize individuals as they come and go.

So what has changed with the new camera installation?

The addition of the new cameras is principally just that: new cameras. This has been a campus-wide project that had been in development for several years to upgrade our security systems, including adding a few new security cameras in areas where we have experienced thefts and break-ins. This did not change CCA’s longstanding ability to monitor badged access to buildings.