Safety matters

A recent article in The Daily Campus has brought about adiscussion on reporting campus safety statistics.

I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know what theSMU Police Department does to keep SMU safe and inform the publicof crimes on the SMU campus.

For years, SMU has believed that by providing more informationto the public about campus safety the public is better protected.Ignorance is our worst enemy, which is why we publish every reportof a crime and do more to inform the public than is required bylaw.

Since its inception, SMU has followed the “CleryAct,” a federal law that requires colleges and universitiesto disclose certain timely and annual information about campuscrime and security policies.

However, SMU goes beyond what is required in the Clery Act. Forinstance, we know how inconvenient it would be for students,parents, and staff to come into our office on a regular basis inorder to read the activity log.

That’s why we post the log – which includes allreports of campus crime – on our website (www.smu.edu/pd).We’re currently making some changes and hope to have a newand improved site available in the fall.

Also available on the web is an archive of the crime alerts fromthe past three years. We also publish an annual security report inOctober that is made available to the public by request or on theweb.

Most importantly, we urge anyone with a concern about safety tocall our department or visit our office.

The more you know, the safer you are. That’s sound advicemost safety professionals give. It’s also the philosophy ofthe SMU Police Department, which is why we believe it is importantto provide the public more information than is required by law.

You’ll also see many new improvements over the next fewmonths on campus:

• “Giddyup” program launches this fall. A24-hour security escort has been available to students for sometime, but this year we’re expanding the program.

Easily spotted by their flashing amber strobe light, threesix-passenger shuttles will be employed throughout the day,especially at night, to provide convenient rides across campus.You’ll be able to hail Giddyup anywhere you see a shuttle, orcall the SMU Police via phone or a safety “blue light”phone and a shuttle will come to you.

• We’re increasing our staff. One full-time policeofficer will be added to the force by the end of the summer, andsix additional staff will assist in patrolling the campus beginningin fall.

• Additional safety “blue light” phones havebeen added to the campus, and more are on the way.

• Camera systems have been installed in parking garages andstrategic areas across campus.

These have helped us solve crimes in the past and will help todeter thieves and assist us in monitoring the activities at theselocations. Futher systems will be added over the next year.

• A state-of-the art building entry system like the onecurrently in use at our residence halls will be installed atvarious campus building by the end of the fall semester.

These are just some of the improvements we’re implementingto ensure that SMU is a safe environment for all who come to ourcampus, but we still need your help.

Please remember to be aware of your environment while on campus,and always report any suspicious activity.

And if you’re ever in an emergency situation, dial 911 orfind an emergency call box on campus, located under the bluelight.

The SMU Police Department does its best to protect ourcampus.

Working together, I know we can continue to keep SMU a safeplace for all to enjoy.