NCJ Number
64599
Journal
SECURITY AND PROTECTION Volume: 11 Issue: 3 AND 4 Dated: (MARCH AND APRIL 1979) Pages: 33,35-36,37-38
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
SECURITY CONCERNS WHICH ARE MAXIMIZED IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE DISCUSSED; MAJOR RISKS SUCH AS THEFT, FIRE, FLOODING, AND BOMB THREATS ARE EMPHASIZED AS IS RISK MINIMIZATION.
Abstract
SECURITY HAS THE SAME MEANING, WHETHER CONNECTED WITH A LARGE INDUSTRIAL WORK OR AN EDUATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT. IT IS DEFINED AS THE PROTECTION OF PROPERTY OF ALL KINDS FROM LOSS THROUGH THEFT, FRAUD, FIRE, AND OTHER FORMS OF DAMAGE AND WASTE. THE 'OPEN HOUSE' NATURE OF MOST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PRESENTS SPECIAL PROBLEMS TO SECURITY PERSONNEL. BUILDINGS ARE SPRAWLED AROUND A CAMPUS OF MANY ACRES, AND HAVE NUMEROUS UNREGULATED ENTRANCES. THE PRIMARY SECURITY CONCERN IS THEFT, WHICH IS USUALLY COMMITTED BY PERSONS FROM OUTSIDE THE ACADEMIC FACILITY. THE MOST PREVALENT THEFTS INVOLVE THE CONTENTS OF HANDBAGS (MONEY, CHECKS, CHARGE CARDS, AND POSTAL ORDERS). OTHER ATTRACTIONS ARE COATS, BRIEFCASES, FOOD, LIBRARY BOOKS, AND VALUABLE EQUIPMENT FROM DORMITORIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS. DORMITORY AND LABORATORY FIRES ARE MAJOR CONCERNS OF CAMPUS SECURITY, AND FLOODING IS A COMMON PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY IN RESEARCH LABORATORY AREAS. WATER SEEPING INTO ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS OFTEN RESULTS IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. FINALLY, BOMB THREATS HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT TIMES BECAUSE OF ACTIVE POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF MANY SCHOOLS WHICH ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF EXTREMISTS. MOST THEFTS ARE DUE EITHER TO CARELESSNESS OR TO A LACK OF AWARENESS WHICH PRODUCES OPPORTUNITIES TO STEAL. INDIVIDUALS MUST REALIZE THAT THEY CAN PLAY A MOST IMPORTANT PART BY SAFEGUARDING THEIR OWN PROPERTY. CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS MUST ASSIST IN DEVELOPING PHYSICAL PROTECTION METHODS FOR VALUABLE PROPERTY. FIRE AND FLOOD DRILLS MUST BE CONDUCTED, AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING METHODS MUST BE EMPLOYED IN LABORATORIES AND DORMITORIES TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF FIRE AND FLOOD DAMAGE. CAMPUS SECURITY PERSONNEL SHOULD CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL FULL-TIME TEAMS RESPONSIBLE ON A 24-HOUR SYSTEM OF COVER. THIS STAFF SHOULD BE TRAINED IN FIRE AND SECURITY PATROL AS WELL AS IN FIRST AID AND MOB CONTROL. THE IMAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SECURITY OFFICERS ON CAMPUS WILL BE ENHANCED IF THEIR DAILY INTERFACE WITH STUDENTS IS CONDUCTED WITH TACT AND A WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE CONCERNING THE CAMPUS FACILITY.