In 1990, Congress enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act (Title II of Public Law 101–542), which amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This act requires all postsecondary institutions participating in Title IV student financial aid programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The act was amended in 1992, 1998 and 2000. The 1998 amendments renamed the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in memory of a student who was slain in her dorm room in 1986.

Safety and security is the responsibility of the entire college community. It is our sincerest desire to maintain an environment which is nurturing, stable, tolerant, and forgiving. It is also Bethel College’s desire to provide an environment conducive to learning and this is the mission of the Office of Campus Safety at Bethel College. The Office of Campus Safety seeks to create and foster partnerships within the college community - students, faculty, and staff working together to identify and solve problems proactively, for it is only when we work together that true safety and security can be achieved. Therefore, the degree to which Bethel College is safe depends on each member of the campus community.

Our campus is a close-knit community with an excellent security history. The office of Campus Safety maintains a friendly and compliant working relationship with local law enforcement. An open campus affords freedom of movement for the college community, but it also means anyone can traverse the campus without arousing much suspicion. A campus security officer patrols the campus through the night however, it is essential that every student take some precautions to avoid unfortunate incidents with unwelcome campus visitors. A campus security officer will notify the city police immediately in the event that they discover anyone breaking a law. Students who interfere with a security officer's duties will be subject to disciplinary action. All students are expected to cooperate with the officers on patrol.

Students are urged to carefully consider safety and security on campus, using the suggestions and resources available from, student services, and safety, and security. All safety issues such as crime, violence, malfunctioning locks, and damaged or missing fire safety equipment should be reported immediately to Campus Safety as well as any situations that are disruptive or inherently dangerous. Failure to report such incidents and safety hazards could endanger you, other members of the College community, and property. Immediately report any incidents to Office of Campus Security, (757) 826-1883 , ext 245.