The Observer, February 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18
Upgrades to Case campus security in the near future
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Those students who feel unsafe walking around on campus can start to breathe a little easier. Starting in July, Case is upgrading its security on and around campus.
Over the past three years, Case's highest crime instances have been in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts – nonviolent crimes.
"Case has few incidents of violent crime compared to several other urban campuses," Richard Jamieson, vice president of Protective Services, said.
As Case is expanding, the security is expanding with it.
"With record undergraduate enrollment and expansion of Case's campus to the West Quad, the Triangle area and the Village at 115, security coverage throughout our campus is paramount," Jamieson said.
Protective Services is upgrading the existing force to an armed campus police agency. "Based on peer institution benchmarking, this deployment strategy reflects best practices for private, urban research universities," Jamieson said.
They will be sworn police officers with more than 560 hours of training at the Ohio Peace Office Training Academy. "[The officers] will be authorized to carry firearms and arrest and detain suspects as necessary," Jamieson said.
The university expects a total of up to 35 Case officers. Case is working closely with University Circle, Inc.'s security to determine the exact number of officers; the final number will depend on the security plans of University Circle Incorporated.
The new security model will remain within the existing budget. The budget distributed between Case and University Circle Police Department will be reallocated to allow for the changes.
Students are quickly generating opinions about the new security changes. "I just feel like there is a lot more that can be done on campus to protect the students and their well-being," said Aabha Jain. "I think that [the program set to start in July] is well overdue and that it will bring better security to the students on campus."
