For most students, school is an escape from the outside world. Campus safety and security is typically not at the forefront of students minds, academics are. However, several recent murders on campuses have raised concerns of campus safety. Since the school year started in August, there have been several murders on college campuses around the nation. The highest profile of these murders occurred on campus at the prestigious Yale University. On Sept. 13, the body of 24-year-old Pharmacology student Annie Le was found stuffed in the wall of a laboratory basement. The building that Le worked in required key card access to enter and her suspected murderer was a technician who also worked in that same lab.
Jasmine Lynn, 19, was struck by a bullet during a shooting on Sept. 3 as she was walking on the campus of Clark Atlanta University, in Georgia. Another student, Jerome Jones, 18, was shot in the wrist. In response to the shootings, the Atlanta Police Department will be increasing it’s presence, adding uniformed and undercover officers at Georgia Tech and AUC campuses.
Four men were wounded in a shooting that occurred on Aug. 16 at Langston University in Oklahoma. Langston University is also beefing up their campus security. They have posted 24-hour checkpoints at the two main entrances of the campus. The University is also installing blue light emergency call boxes, and implementing an emergency notification system to cellular phones.
Saturday, Sept. 25, there was a shooting at Illinois Central College in Peoria. At least four individuals were hospitalized for injuries, including a woman with two broken legs who suffered from being hit by a car while fleeing the gunfire.
Most recently, on Sunday, Oct. 18, Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed on the main campus of the University of Conneticut. Howard, 21, was a junior and starting corner back of the UConn football team.
Northeastern Illinois University has not been the location of a crime of this sort. However, that does not prevent the NEIU Police Department from training and planning to respond appropriately. All NEIU police officers participate in training annually for CPR, AED and firearms. The NEIU police department additionally conducts a live shooter simulation twice a year.
Ensuring the safety of those on campus is a critical mission for the NEIU Police Department. While meeting with Chief Lyon and Lt. Kruszynski, the Independent pointed out that if an ID is lost that has keycard access to restricted areas, it is possible for an ID with the same number to be issued. This prevents the lost ID card number from being deactivated and compromises security. The Independent was told that this issue would be resolved.
“If an ID card issued, it should be the next number in sequence and access would have to be requested for the new ID number, deactivating the lost ID,” said Lt. Paul Kruszynski.
While the NEIU PD may not appear to be visible to everyone at all times, the size is sufficient. According to Chief Jim Lyon, the head of the NEIU PD, there are numerous patrols both on foot, in car and on bicycle as the weather permits. Additionally, there are security cameras which are monitored and 33 “code blue” emergency phones located around the main campus.
Off duty members of the Chicago Police department, as well as Cook County sheriffs, attend classes at NEIU and will notify the NEIU PD of their presence.
“In the event of an emergency, we are able to receive an overwhelming response from the city,” said Lt. Kruszynski. Chief Lyon added, “Having a good relationship with the CPD is invaluable.”
Since joining the NEIU staff, Chief Lyon has sought to increase visibility for the department and improve the services available, as well as their quality. This included changing the name of the department from public safety, to improve awareness that the department is compromised of police officers.
Earlier this year a public address system was installed. In the future, this system will be expanded to incorporate text messaging to students via the banner system. “Immediate notification will be through the PA system, secondary through text message, voicemail and email,” said Chief Lyon.
Safety is something that everyone should concern himself or herself with, and it is important to be aware of your surroundings. If you spot something suspicious or are concerned, contact the police. Know that while you may not see an officer, they are not far away.