For lack of a better term, Director of Public Safety Jerry Matthews describes Rensselaer’s campus security as a “moving target, something we’re always watching and looking for ways to improve.”
Matthews said he has been taking an aggressive approach as he looks to enhance security; and one of his main focuses has been improving the way the campus can be informed during an emergency situation.
Rensselaer has distributed requests for proposals to companies as it looks to install a text message alert system to notify students in the event of an emergency. These proposals are due this Friday, and Matthews said he plans to review the proposals and ultimately have a service up and running in time for the fall semester.
A text messaging system would require cell phone numbers to be collected either on a voluntary or mandatory basis. If necessary, text messages could be sent to all registered users or just a specific group, such as resident assistants, faculty, or staff in a particular building.
Similar systems are in place at Princeton University and St. John’s University, which used its new system in September after a student brought a rifle onto the campus. No one was hurt in this incident.
To supplement the text messaging system, Matthews would like to install an audible alert system like the one tested in November. These systems would be in addition to the closed circuit television system and online notification means already available.
As Adam Brown ’09 points out, “The system’s not a bad idea, but could have its flaws in certain scenarios.” Under the wrong conditions, alerting the campus about a shooter could send students into danger if they don’t react responsibly, he explained.
The goal of this type of system, however, is to “warn then inform,” according to Matthews The message would contain instructions on how to react given the incident. Anyone could then seek additional details online.
Matthews said Public Safety is also continuing to investigate so called smart cameras, which can detect suspicious behaviors. These cameras can monitor for a lurking person or a package left unattended and can also be set to react differently depending on the hour of the day. Matthews said the cameras would help monitor the east side of campus as well as the Heffner Alumni House and several streets where students have off-campus housing.
He was also quick to point out that smart cameras would not mean Big Brother is watching. The cameras can actually be programmed to ignore or blackout certain areas, like yards and windows.
While Public Safety is considering the cameras, no decisions have been made.
In light of the February 14 shooting at Northern Illinois University, where 21 people were shot by graduate student Steven Kazmierczak who was studying social work at the university, as well as last year’s shooting at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Matthews said he will be looking closely at lessons learned and how to apply them at Rensselaer. Most importantly, though, “If something doesn’t look right, call Public Safety, so it can be checked out,” he encouraged, indicating that his department has seen a significant increase in calls.
