By Venisa Wallace, Staff Writer
Gunfire and armed robbery characterized the afternoon of March 3, 2010 at Saint Leo University. According to the article Robbery at Saint Leo University leads to chase published onmyfoxtampabay.com, a student walking in the parking lot by a residence hall on the Saint Leo campus, entered a car he thought belonged to a friend. Unfortunately, the car belonged to two assailants who were not the student’s friend. The assailants robbed the Saint Leo University student at gun point, and allegedly fired shots. The student was not harmed. It was also reported that the Campus security called for help and the robbers were caught along I-75 and arrested.
This incident among others evokes the questions of how safe the Saint Leo University campus is and what the Department of Campus Security and Safety is doing to ensure the safety of its students, staff and faculty. It is of the utmost importance that students are aware of the security measures implemented on their school campus by Campus Safety. To ensure students are knowledgeable about protocols on reporting incidents and contracting security The Department of Campus Security and Safety issues Your Right to Know pamphlets. These pamphlets are upgraded every year.
The next step the Saint Leo University security team takes in ensuring the safety of their students, staff, and faculty is publishing crime statistics in the Your Rights to know pamphlet. This statistic alerts members of Saint Leo University of the yearly crimes committed on campus and gives them a perspective on the type of crime that is most prevalent. This crime statistic is issued yearly and is mandatory under the Jeanne Cleary Act for all campus that has federal aid.
The Campus security unit at Saint Leo University has also implemented surveillance equipment and security poles throughout the campus. Surveillance cameras are placed discreetly in elevators of various buildings on campus and other areas. These cameras give security the opportunity to keep an eye on areas of the campus without physically being present. Nevertheless, certified security guards patrol the Saint Leo University ground on shifts and even provide escorts from the library to the Marmion and Snyder residence hall at various stipulated time periods. Security poles are another unique method that provides an outlet of safety for the university. These poles are located along the grove path to the Marmion and Snyder residence hall and near the vicinity of the lake and apartments. These poles have a blue light and a telecommunication device that students can use to contact security if they feel they are being followed or if they feel their safety might be compromised.
It is also paramount for students to be familiar with the members of the Department of Campus Security and Safety. For instance, the director of the Department of Campus Security and Safety, Ms. Jerome F. Helton has been working with the department for thirty-five years, and is an important member of the security team. Ms. Jerome, as she is often called by students, staff, and faculty, takes her job of protecting the Saint Leo University Campus seriously and expresses great concern about student safety. Ms. Jerome said that over the summer 2010 more cameras have been installed around the campus, thus, increasing safety measures. She also said that more security guards were hired, who patrolled the campus via bicycles. Ball games and events such as the Fall Family Festival are monitored by extra security guards who are specially hired to provide maximum security. This security team is concerned with all dimensions of the Saint Leo University members’ and guests’ safety. They deal with concerns that may arise at events such as illicit weaponry, to more personal concerns such as a misplaced purse.
Saint Leo University Students have observed and commented on the safe-guard measures the Department of Campus security and safety has implemented.
“I am glad that the school has put up lights along the path to the Marmion and Snyder halls. During my freshman year there were no lights and I felt unsafe walking through the path when it was dark,” said sophomore student Jennifer Ortiz. “I feel safe on campus; maybe it is because I have never had any incidents on campus where I was put in a dangerous situation, but I do get scared walking over to Marmion and Snyder in the night,” said sophomore Maria Sullivan.
The University has a security team that implements various methods, such as cameras, emergency contact poles, and security patrols to help maintain a safe environment. This team seeks to improve their means of security by putting up light poles along the path to Marmion and Snyder, and hiring additional patrol guards who cycle the compound on shifts. To learn more about campus safety read the Your Right to Know pamphlet.
