2008 Woodie Awards
Campus security improvements must be widespread
Communiqué Staff
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
One of the major areas of concern in office buildings, airports, hospitals, government buildings and even police stations is security. Yet it is the issue of security in public schools that has received a great deal of attention over the past seven years.
Colleges require higher levels of security due to larger student populations and much larger campuses. Considering Kirkwood's vast size, it begs the question: Does Kirkwood have adequate security? Should there be an increase in the number of security staff and amount of security equipment such as cameras?
Campus security falls under Tom Kaldenberg, executive director of facilities, and currently employs 12 security guards. Kaldenberg said he does not see the need to hire more security guards, nor does he plan to. Twelve may be enough to police an entire campus but not maintain a presence everywhere at all times. This is where security cameras come in. Kaldenberg said there are only a few cameras on campus and some of them are located off campus.
Understandably, the area with the highest number of cameras is the bookstore, with 16 spread around the bookstore's ground floor, upstairs and warehouse.
"During rush hour times we have two guards stationed on the ground floor. Upstairs, we only have one security guard but we have book staff to watch the floor as well," said Kelly Lacy, bookstore supervisor.
With cameras and guards, the bookstore area has more security than the rest of the main campus.
Since campus security can't be everywhere at all times, an increase in the number of cameras is certainly warranted.
Motor vehicle theft was the second most frequently committed crime during 2004-2005, followed by theft or other criminal acts. Certainly people could have locked their vehicles but at the same time criminals often force entry. A well-placed security camera could capture the incident on tape and make it easier for security guards to investigate
If people think they may get caught on film committing a crime, perhaps they will think twice about doing so.
Cameras have their limits - unless one is installed for every square mile (a very expensive proposition), there will still be areas of Kirkwood that are not covered every hour by either cameras or security guards. Additional personnel will be needed to monitor the cameras and check to make sure they are working .
Unless the number of security guards is increased, it seems that the only way to beef up campus security is to increase the number of security cameras. Cameras are not the end-all, be-all solution. They do have limits but right now it is the best tool to assist campus.
Colleges require higher levels of security due to larger student populations and much larger campuses. Considering Kirkwood's vast size, it begs the question: Does Kirkwood have adequate security? Should there be an increase in the number of security staff and amount of security equipment such as cameras?
Campus security falls under Tom Kaldenberg, executive director of facilities, and currently employs 12 security guards. Kaldenberg said he does not see the need to hire more security guards, nor does he plan to. Twelve may be enough to police an entire campus but not maintain a presence everywhere at all times. This is where security cameras come in. Kaldenberg said there are only a few cameras on campus and some of them are located off campus.
Understandably, the area with the highest number of cameras is the bookstore, with 16 spread around the bookstore's ground floor, upstairs and warehouse.
"During rush hour times we have two guards stationed on the ground floor. Upstairs, we only have one security guard but we have book staff to watch the floor as well," said Kelly Lacy, bookstore supervisor.
With cameras and guards, the bookstore area has more security than the rest of the main campus.
Since campus security can't be everywhere at all times, an increase in the number of cameras is certainly warranted.
Motor vehicle theft was the second most frequently committed crime during 2004-2005, followed by theft or other criminal acts. Certainly people could have locked their vehicles but at the same time criminals often force entry. A well-placed security camera could capture the incident on tape and make it easier for security guards to investigate
If people think they may get caught on film committing a crime, perhaps they will think twice about doing so.
Cameras have their limits - unless one is installed for every square mile (a very expensive proposition), there will still be areas of Kirkwood that are not covered every hour by either cameras or security guards. Additional personnel will be needed to monitor the cameras and check to make sure they are working .
Unless the number of security guards is increased, it seems that the only way to beef up campus security is to increase the number of security cameras. Cameras are not the end-all, be-all solution. They do have limits but right now it is the best tool to assist campus.