A new 10-year plan outlines major initiatives to enhance campus safety and security. The new measures will allow the university to maintain a secure community and prepare to cope with a variety of threats. Read this note for details of the plan…
Background
Since Elon established its Campus Safety and Police unit in 1996, the security climate on campus, in the region and our nation has changed considerably. Elon has made the transition from a rural to a suburban campus environment. The student body and the community have grown and the visibility of the campus has increased. The population growth in the western portion of Alamance County, the Town of Elon and the newly established commercial zones to the south along the interstate will continue to cause different and increasing security demands. The introduction of University Drive has provided a new vehicular route which many people now use, and even more are predicted to use in the future.
Today’s students and parents have greater expectations of security in their daily lives. Technology has also changed immensely in the last 12 years, with improvements in communications, GPS tracking devices, camera technology and door security. Especially since the September 11 events, the anthrax scare and the events at Virginia Tech new technology devices are being utilized more than ever before.
Given these changes in the environment, Elon has conducted an assessment of its current security assets and the need for new investments. The highest identified need was increased visibility of security personnel, both campus police and campus security officers. Elon needs more officers (deployed in shifts that both meet security needs and meet visibility needs) and the creation of security/welcome centers where security personnel are stationed and visitors and passersby can sense and see the security presence. This increase in visibility, coupled with greater frequency of patrol patterns afforded by the increase in personnel and better use of available technology will provide higher interaction and involvement between our campus security and police force and those whom they seek to protect.
Major elements of the master plan
Increased visibility and new patrol tactics for campus police and security
- Construct Welcome Center traffic booths on Williamson Ave. and O’Kelly Ave, positioning personnel to greet visitors. provide security, and distribute information
- Increase Campus Police patrol division by four officers, adding additional shifts and increasing staffing for special event days and community police activities in residence halls and with student organizations
- Transition from part-time to full-time positions in Campus Security operations (building security, escorts, etc.)
Communications
- Install 800 megahertz communications system which connects to multiple security, fire and safety units in the state (Highway Patrol, municipal police departments, fire departments, etc.)
- Transition from student and part-time dispatchers to a staff of full-time professional dispatchers
- Enhancement of physical security of the campus
- Install video surveillance cameras in all campus parking lots
- Upgrade patrol officer equipment and provide new uniforms and patrol vehicles
- Installation of card swipe security system on additional residence halls and academic buildings
- Installation of perimeter fencing surrounding The Oaks and Danieley Center
- Installation of gates on selected parking lots (Moseley, McMichael, Koury Business Center, The Oaks, Story Center, Danieley Center, Koury Center, East Gym, Ingold Lot)
Enhance security through technology
- Implement GPS emergency notification system integrated with cell phones
- Implement GPS location system in campus shuttles and trams
- Install mobile data terminals in patrol vehicles
- Install enhanced criminal information data systems on in-house computers and mobile data terminals in patrol vehicles
- Upgrade police and security software systems
- Upgrade fire alarm systems in older buildings
- Install additional raised crosswalks on O’Kelly Avenue (Moseley-McMichael crossing) and Williamson Avenue (Koury Center-The Oaks crossing and McEwen-downtown Elon crossing)
- Install outdoor siren communication system
Organizational changes
- Hire a full-time OSHA/EPA/fire inspector to ensure compliance with work and fire safety regulations as well as environmental laws
- Create a unified motor pool, consolidating transportation systems and vehicle maintenance services
Implementation timelines
A funding plan has been developed to implement several initiatives over the next four academic years.
In the current year, Elon will add four Campus Police positions and two full-time dispatchers. Capital expenditures will include installation of the new 800 megahertz communications system, design of the two Welcome Centers, installation of the outdoor emergency siren and the GPS technology for emergency warnings and campus transportation systems.
Major initiatives from 2008 to 2011 will include Welcome Center construction, parking lot gates, card swipe building security systems, raised crosswalks, fire alarm systems and additional personnel.