2008 Woodie Awards
Campus safety offers awareness, protection
Kyle Nelson
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News
APSU's Department of Public Safety sent out an e-mail Monday, Aug. 18, informing students about an alleged rape on campus. Though no new information has been sent out regarding the details of the case, Public Safety did issue another bulletin out on Aug. 20 stating that the actions were not an immediate threat to students. The investigation is still ongoing. But even before this incident, APSU's police have been working to provide a safer campus.
"We're always looking to improve security on campus," said Capt. Charlie Struckel, assistant director of Public Safety and Campus Police. Recent improvements included installing new emergency phones and blue lights throughout campus, purchasing new equipment and continuing to offer safety and crime prevention courses.
The most visible addition to campus safety has been the blue lights. These pieces of equipment have a button that connects the user to dispatch in the Shasteen building. In the five zones that make up campus, there are multiple blue lights and phones, according to Struckel. Though the lights and phones are marked for emergencies, their use is not limited to urgent situations. From them, users can request an escort to any place on campus if given a valid reason.
"Anytime they think they need an escort they can use one of the courtesy phones or emergency phones," Struckel said. "All they need to do when dispatch asks them what their emergency is to say 'There's no emergency, I need an escort.'"
The emergency phones are checked once every twenty-four hours to ensure they operate, and according to Struckel, campus police will have a new program that will allow them to check the phones at a push of a button.
Campus safety also offers several classes that are available to the university community that range from identity theft, traffic and vehicle safety and personal safety. One of these classes is called Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD. Campus safety purchased new equipment for the course and it now has two instructors, one male and one female, who work in tandem to teach the course. The RAD course is open to women, and there is no cost to take it.
"We're always looking to improve security on campus," said Capt. Charlie Struckel, assistant director of Public Safety and Campus Police. Recent improvements included installing new emergency phones and blue lights throughout campus, purchasing new equipment and continuing to offer safety and crime prevention courses.
The most visible addition to campus safety has been the blue lights. These pieces of equipment have a button that connects the user to dispatch in the Shasteen building. In the five zones that make up campus, there are multiple blue lights and phones, according to Struckel. Though the lights and phones are marked for emergencies, their use is not limited to urgent situations. From them, users can request an escort to any place on campus if given a valid reason.
"Anytime they think they need an escort they can use one of the courtesy phones or emergency phones," Struckel said. "All they need to do when dispatch asks them what their emergency is to say 'There's no emergency, I need an escort.'"
The emergency phones are checked once every twenty-four hours to ensure they operate, and according to Struckel, campus police will have a new program that will allow them to check the phones at a push of a button.
Campus safety also offers several classes that are available to the university community that range from identity theft, traffic and vehicle safety and personal safety. One of these classes is called Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD. Campus safety purchased new equipment for the course and it now has two instructors, one male and one female, who work in tandem to teach the course. The RAD course is open to women, and there is no cost to take it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Meredith
posted 8/30/08 @ 9:13 PM CST
I would personally like to know the names of the alleged rapists so I know who to stay away from.
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