As part of its ongoing efforts to improve campus security, the Department of Public Safety has installed nearly 100 additional cameras in the past year and is taking measures to increase safety on campus.

Following a string of break-in attempts and burglaries in February 2014, former DPS Chief Tony Callisto discussed plans to install approximately 900 additional electronic locks on classroom doors across the SU campus by January 2015.

Currently, there are approximately 750 security cameras installed across the SU campus on the grounds and in the walkways. One hundred of these security cameras have been installed in the last year. All together these security cameras provide almost 1,000 different views of campus, Hannah Warren, public information and internal communications officer for DPS, said.

Mike Kearns, technical services manager for DPS, said the department has continued to gradually expand its security system throughout the years.

“For example, when Dineen Hall was built last August we added security cameras around the new building,” Kearns said.

Across the campus, the security cameras allow for success in identifying suspects, DPS Interim Chief Jill Lentz said. DPS has a standing committee that works to receive funding for additional security cameras for the SU campus, Lentz added.

DPS has continued its regular security measures by conducting property checks and enhanced patrols on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in addition to daily patrols. DPS also continues to respond to calls and suspicious action reports, Lentz said.

“We are also continuing with community outreach by conducting public surveys to see where improvement is needed,” she said. “We’ve been engaging in the community with safety presentations as well.

A locking and card swipe access system already exists in each academic building on the SU campus. Each individual building also has a building coordinator who manages the list of people given access to a facility after hours using their SU ID cards, Warren said.

Warren explained that the process is not managed by DPS, but by the newly formed Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services. The division, which was formed in December, aims to bring together all areas of the SU community that have a primary focus on safety, emergency response and risk management.

“As of now, there have not been additional locks installed on classroom doors on the SU campus,” Warren said. “Emergency Systems and Sustainability Management is discussing the possibility and exploring the options, but no installations yet.”

DPS has increased its presence around the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications complex since an SU alumna was physically harassed between Newhouse I and II in December. There is no new information regarding this incident, but it is an ongoing investigation, Lentz said.

“There is no history of violence with Newhouse so this is not a trend. And, of course, this is not something we want to happen,” Lentz said. “A few people have come forward with emails similar to the victim so the alert we sent out has helped with the investigation.

Last semester, DPS started looking at different types of body cameras its officers could wear on duty with plans that if the trials were successful, officers could begin using the body cameras.

“We are still testing out a couple different types of body cameras to see which will work best for officers on duty,” Kearns said. “If all goes well, we will most likely purchase the cameras in the next two or three months.”

“Of course we’d like to say our campus security is good, but there is always room for improvement,” Lentz said. “The surveys we conduct help with that improvement so that we can do different things to engage in the community.”

Published on January 13, 2015 at 1:22 am

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann