Campus Security †Research paper Essay

Campus aegis is an ever-growing concern through prohibited the unit of measuremented States. P bents want their children to be upright while continuing their education away from home and students want to odor and be safe while living on campus. The University of Maryland at College Park has had a constant battle with campus security as incidences stick out increased on and around campus. The University of Maryland is located between majuscule D.C. and Baltimore, a hotspot, concentrated with high levels of criminal activity.In 2002 thither were 17 sex offenses, 9 robberies, 12 aggravated assaults, 140 burglaries, 86 motor vehicle thefts, 136 drug related arrests, and 9 illegal weapons pigheadedness arrests on Marylands campus (UMD Crime Statistics). These statistics represent only on campus incidents and acquit varied tremendously over the past three years. Statistics would be oft higher if they included aras around campus. Variations over the years locoweed be attri exa ctlyed to increase in jurisprudence force presence, as healthful as m both security precautions implemented over the past years.Universities have taken many precautions to battle horror on and around campus. One of the newest techno-trends on Ameri base college and university campuses is tipping campus legal philosophy to illicit activity by filling out online forms posted on the departments World Wide entanglement page (Campus Crimes). Colleges much(prenominal) as Duke University, the University of Georgia, and MIT have already implemented such course of studys and have been very successful (Campus Crimes). Narcotics activity and burglaries have seen significant reductions. Students and criminals active in illicit activities now have to be fearful of different peers who whitethorn rat on them. There ar, however, downsides to such tactics. False accusations could sprain a problem. So far, of the 100 universities already using such applied science 90 percent of the l earning received over the universitys campus police Web site has been significant (Campus Crimes).In efforts to stretch students walking alone at night, many universities have implemented night chafe platforms (Safety and Security). These are curb-to-curb security services, where a campus shuttle bus transports students from one location to an separate. The University of Maryland offers such a service called N.I.T.E. Ride. N.I.T.E. Ride runs from 530pm to 730am during fall and jump semesters (Safety and Security). This program combined with the universities safety escort services provides students with opportunities to avoid nocent situations (Safety and Security).However, although many schools offer such programs, they do not allow profuse funding to fully equip such safety programs. Many students are unable to get through to the operator, thus end up walking home alone. More shuttles and operators are needed during peek hours, such as weekends and Thursdays. The N.I.T.E. Ride program is an effective actor to avoid harmful situations when the program is fully funded. Otherwise, students tend to walk home alone and put themselves in harms way.The University of Maryland overly offers an excellent bus system. Students, instead of walking alone at night, can seek the safety of the bus (Policies, Programs, Services). The University of Marylands Circuit and Courtyard Express provide safe and dependable rides to motley key locations on campus. Not only are students protected from evil, barely also are encouraged to ride the bus instead of private road home under the influence. The bus system has dramatically decreased rapes and robberies. Having an alternate(a) ride home also lowers students fear of horror by lowering at risk situations.Maryland has also put blue light catch phones around campus (Safety and Security). Emergency phones provide a direct line to the police throughout the campus both inside and distant many academic buildings and res idence halls. These phones are either yellow or encased within a blue cylindrical column and are marked Emergency. Frequently they have blue lights overhead making their locations easier to find. Individuals may contact campus police directly and without charge by activating the phone. This notifies an emergency dispatcher, via a computer, of the callers exact location (Policies, Programs, Services). These phones are apply to deter potential victimizations as well as provide a means for communication in case of an emergency (Safety and Security). The emergency phones may not lower abomination rates, but they do lower students fear of crime.The installation of video surveillance is another means to combat crime on campus. Throughout the nation universities have been pose cameras to recruit and monitor specific areas. The University of Maryland initiated this effort in 1996 by installing dozens of cameras in parking lots, garages, high traffic unglamorous areas, isolated are as, and by ATM machines (Schultz). Although the effects of video surveillance to reduce crime have not been established, fear of crime by students has dropped. Cameras are very effective in aiding police dispatchers somewhat crime scenes but rarely catch crimes in action (Schultz). Some students feel that money would be better spent on police surveillance (Schultz).These students think criminals ordain just wear masks or commit crimes where there are no cameras (Schultz). Video surveillance can also be apply to aid in criminal investigations. By placing cameras at the entrances and exits to campuses and buildings, police can record emancipation plates as well as faces later utilize for identification. Although video surveillance may be a useful rooster for law enforcement, it is still extremely controversial. Many students feel that surveillance is an invasion on privacy. It can be scary that big brother knows when and where you are at all times.Universities around the glob e have offered several programs to students in order to educate and clog students from placing themselves in at-risk situations. The University of Maryland offers many programs to prevent victimization. One huge program sweeping the nation is Rape pugnacity Defense (RAD). RAD is the fastest growing and largest womens self-defense program in the country. This program has structured, consistent curriculum, of easy-to-teach, easy-to-learn techniques that have realistic and practical practical application (Policies, Programs, Services). The University also provides personal security presentations as well as intimate assault awareness programs.Services to victims are offered through campus as well as Prince Georges Hospital. The Victim Advocate is a service that provides take hold and referral to victims of intimate assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and partner violence (Policies, Programs, Services). Prince Georges Hospital will treat victims of sexual assault and rape as we ll as provide information, counseling, and companionship (Policies, Programs, Services). There is al ways a trained take hold on hand that is capable of collecting evidence for future prosecutions (Policies, Programs, Services). Students also should be aware of date rape drugs (Fitzgerald). Never leave glass unattended and always attend parties in groups (Fitzgerald).Policing is always a live part to campus safety. The University police provide numerous services to students. Emergency responses to crimes are quickly answered and acted upon (Policies, Programs, Services). Officers provide grounding guard, as well as patrol with marked and unmarked police cars, motorcycles, and bicycles (Policies, Programs, Services). The campus police also relay crime data to the state, FBI, as well as other police agencies (Policies, Programs, Services). Relaying information is an important tool in compiling information to develop the UCR and other crime fighting statistics. The University also has a Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) that is responsible for criminal investigations, criminal intelligence, crime analysis, and victim/witness financial aid coordination (Policies, Programs, Services).Over 100 student police aids help campus police in providing a safe environment (Policies, Programs, Services). Student Police assist are non-sworn, unarmed student employees who work part-time for the department. They are provided development and equipment, and act as additional eyes and ears for campus police (Policies, Programs, Services). Student police acquired immune deficiency syndrome are responsible for special event security as well as security around campus (Policies, Programs, Services). These aids have designated foot and bicycle patrols in parking garages and various high-risk areas around campus (Policies, Programs, Services). Aids are also stationed at entrances and exits of campus during late hours. As cars drive onto campus, students record and question inc-comin g visitors. These actions deter criminals as well as car thieves. Their license plate numbers are written down and they moldiness have a legitimate destination or student identification in order to gain access to the campus.Awareness is possibly the best issue to crime prevention. In 1990, Congress passed the Campus and Securities Act (Safety by the Numbers). This act requires that any university receiving federal funding to disclose campus crime statistics and provide students with information about the schools safety policies (Safety by the Numbers). By disclosing information, students and parents become aware of any thinkable crime problem. Students, consequently, can take preventive measures to ensure their safety. Potential students dexterity also elect to go to schools with safer campuses. This places additional pressure on federally funded universities to tighten their campus security.Universities that acquire a reputation as being unguaranteed often lose student enrollme nt. The 1998 amendments to the Campus Security Act added more categories of crime statistics that schools must disclose. Arson and manslaughter have been added to the list of offenses, which already included murder, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor-vehicle theft (Safety by the Numbers). Schools, however, are not currently undeniable to disclose crimes that occur near campus. Often, statistics are distorted and under-represent true crime (Safety by the Numbers).The key to protection in your dorm room and in an off-campus housing is vigilantism. Always be aware of your surroundings and lock your introduction at night. Most campuses have installed swipe cards at all entrances, hallways, admissionways, and elevators to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the building. These swipe cards provide much needed security. In order to gain access someone must let you into the building. Additionally, doors with card readers are also equipped with prop monitors that feat a horn to sound in the event a door is propped open or not securely closed and latched (Policies, Programs, Services). Having RAs on duty in lobbies of all buildings deters suspicious and unwanted visitors. These reticular activating system can report any shady activity as well as provide emergency assistance.There are numerous ways universities and colleges can combat crime and upgrade campus security. Through online tipping, night ride programs, adequate bus systems, emergency phones, video surveillance, prevention, rape, and victimization programs, policing, awareness, and swipe cards schools can provide increased campus security.