Campus security added four new police officers and various new measures this summer to make the campus community a safer place.

This semester the role of campus police will be more visible after their assessment of the security needs of campus last fall. Police will be around during the day, patrolling the campus community by bike, on foot or in the “It” car, an electric car from Canada introduced in accordance with the university’s sustainability plan.

“The campus and community are changing,” said Chuck Gantos, director of Campus Safety and Police. “There’s the new bypass and [the area] is becoming more urban; all of this has an impact on security on campus. We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve and [know] what to do to adjust accordingly.”

The football stadium, law school and tram paths have new recording security cameras with signs at the locations to deter crime. These cameras will be phased in to all of the parking lots on campus and monitored on computer screens in the campus security office.

With a new 800 Trunking communication system, Elon police and security now have the capability to contact the Burlington, Greensboro and High Point police departments, the Guilford County Sheriff’s department, highway patrol, the DMV, ALE and state and national emergency channels.

Previously, Elon police had one radio, shared the frequency with the town police department and communication was restricted to one channel.

“This won’t make a lot of difference on a day-to-day basis, but in times of emergencies it will be a huge asset,” Gantos said.

A new siren system is in the works that will warn the campus of anything from severe weather warnings to evacuation with tones and voice messages. Gantos said the siren system should be running within the next 10 weeks depending on manufacturing and installation time.

All students received an e-mail last Friday regarding how to sign up for cell phone emergency text messaging to warn subscribers about homeland security advisories, severe weather warnings, fires, etc., similar to the siren system. Students and faculty members can subscribe to the service at www.elon.edu/e-alert.

Campus safety will offer classes such as self-defense and women’s safety and will speak with campus organizations throughout the year.

If you would like to make arrangements to take a self-defense class, contact Lt. Vicki Moehlman at campus security, extension 5555.

Future security plans include phasing in raised sidewalks and gates on some of the parking lots to restrict access after certain times. In response to speculation about a fence or a tunnel near the railroad tracks between north and south campus, Gantos said campus safety is not working on that project but it is in the university’s plan.

News Editor: Kaitlin Ugolik - 08/29/07