Campus Safety provides 24-hour service
Campus Times
March 7, 1997
Security staff members Nancy Stark (left), who began working for the
University Sunday, and four-year staffer Tom Erickson provide students with
an escort service during the day and evening hours. Erickson feels it has
been a success and hopes more students will use the service
Whether it is opening car doors, transporting students around, or cracking
down on crime, campus security tries to uphold the motto, "Dedicated
to your safety."
Campus security is available 24 hours a day, and offers numerous services
every day on patrol and in response to calls.
An average day includes a routine patrol of the campus, starting the
morning off with unlocking buildings and ending the night with a lock down
of all buildings and gates.
With around 10-15 calls per shift, the day has added extras that play
a role in how security can assist you.
The calls range from students and faculty who lock themselves out of
residence halls, cars, offices or buildings. Security also helps when a
car needs a jump start or an individual needs an escort late at night.
Campus security tries to deter crime from happening by making a presence
on the campus during routine patrol, but if a minor crime happens to take
place on campus, an investigation and report will be done by security.
An agreement is set up with the La Verne police department (LVPD) that
if an incident occurs on campus, campus security will handle the initial
investigation and then forward the report to the police department.
Campus security would like students to call them, if in doubt about
a situation. If they cannot assist a person, they can send them in the direction
they need to go, according to John Lentz, director of campus safety and
transportation.
Campus security deals not only with issues of safety and security of
the campus, but with transportation and the maintenance of vehicles as well.
Injured or ill students may get a ride to and from resident halls and
to and from doctors appointments and the pharmacy.
Transportation also provides rides for field trips for classes and groups,
to the child development center and to Ontario Airport.
Students need to make prior arrangements if possible. "A weeks
notice would be ideal," said Lentz.
Campus security strives to create a "safe and secure campus as
best as we can," said Lentz.
To be better assisted with problems, students need to be patient when
calling security. When the calls go through the radio, there is a two second
delay. If speaking too fast, and not waiting for a response, the call may
get cut off. The officers only get part of the message, according to Lentz.
Campus security would like to meet more often with students and make
them more aware of safety issues.
"As time goes on, we would like to be more involved," said
Lentz.
Campus security wants students to know they are available, and "
we are here to help them," said Lentz.
To reach campus security, dial ext. 4950, 596-3549, or press the speed
dial on most campus pay phones.