September 17, 2004: Volume 62, Number 2

Campus Safety pledges visibility on campus, College Park

Campus Safety officers on Wednesday were giving tours of their new quarters in College Park Hall, and answering questions from students and others concerned that the move from their offices on the north end of campus might represent a diminished campus presence.

 "We'll continue to be highly visible on campus," said Bill Sickinger, director of Campus Safety. "And it should be somewhat assuring to those students who walk between their rooms and campus that we have a strong presence in their neighborhood."

Nearly 400 of the 1,800 students housed by the College live in the College Park neighborhood and College Park Hall, according to residential life.

"The only real downside to the move is a small inconvenience for students and employees who need to get ID cards or vehicle registrations, but that will be offset by more convenient parking than visitors had at our cramped quarters on campus," said Chris Hayen, assistant director.

A total of 26 patrol officers are working campus and College Park in overlapping shifts that ensure a smooth transition, explained Sickinger. Officers staff the lobby desk at College Park Hall weekdays between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., and 24 hours on the weekend. There is also a stationary officer in the Nott Memorial who can respond to emergencies.

The patrols are augmented by 21 cameras that cover campus parking lots and public walkways. Those cameras are monitored and controlled from two consoles in College Park Hall, one in the building lobby, the other in the Campus Safety offices in the east end of the building.

On Wednesday, an officer was showing a student how the cameras can follow an individual on the entire walking route between West College and College Park Hall. "I told her she could call us when she is leaving [campus] and we could follow her right to the door."

"People are more accepting of the cameras than they used to be," explained Hayen. "There's been a real attitude change over the past several years. People want them and they feel protected when they know they are there, even though they should still use caution."

Last weekend, three of the cameras at the parking lot south of College Park Hall recorded a vehicle being left by a suspect wanted in connection with a crime in Albany County. Campus Safety provided the video to the Albany County Sheriff's Department. The suspect is in custody.

There are also some 50 "hotlines" to Campus Safety including the exterior blue emergency phones, interior phones and "panic buttons." All are connected directly to campus safety. Students can also use room and hall courtesy phones to reach Campus Safety at ext. 6911.

"We understand the concerns that people are expressing, particularly after the robbery of the two students on Sept. 6, and the police investigation last weekend in the College Park Hall lot," said Sickinger. "But we want people to feel confident in our safety programs and to use common sense measures to maximize safety."

All Campus Safety services, including walking escorts and the trolley service, will continue.

For questions or concerns, call Campus Safety at ext. 6911.

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