Smile, you're on 'Campus Camera'
By Anna Dolianitis, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: News
A new set of eyes will be watching when students enter and exit all dormitories at the University of Massachusetts this fall.
The installation of approximately 325 new security cameras, which will cover all 45 residence halls on campus, will be completed for the start of the semester, according to UMass Chancellor John Lombardi.
"Events from the past, the present, and those we anticipate in the future all indicate that university campuses are subject to the same kind of security issues as large residential populations in cities and towns across the nation," said Lombardi. "Periodic events that result in loss of property or disturbances of one kind or another in residence halls remind us of our obligation to continue to improve our security systems."
Cameras already exist in residence halls on campus, with the few exceptions being Brooks, Chadbourne, Crabtree, Greenough, Hamlin, Johnson, Knowlton, Leach, Thatcher, and Wheeler.
The planning of the new security measures began in 2000, when David Scott, the chancellor at the time, suggested the installation of security cameras in the Southwest Residential area courtyards, in order to deal effectively with potentially dangerous student behavior, according to Ed Blaguszewski, Director of the UMass News Office.
The UMass Police Department (UMPD) and UMass Housing Services worked collaboratively to make decisions and coordinate the plan.
"The security cameras are focused on doorways, lobbies, and areas of high student congregation," said Blaguszewski emphasizing that the cameras are for security - not surveillance. "Police use the cameras to gather evidence, not to watch students 24/7. They're not tracking the students' habits across campus. They don't have the interest, time, or personnel for that."
The UMPD uses its Web site, www.umass/edu/umpd to show clips of security camera footage in an effort to obtain information from students who may have seen the suspects.
In the past, the cameras have been the key for the UMPD to charge lawbreakers.
The installation of approximately 325 new security cameras, which will cover all 45 residence halls on campus, will be completed for the start of the semester, according to UMass Chancellor John Lombardi.
"Events from the past, the present, and those we anticipate in the future all indicate that university campuses are subject to the same kind of security issues as large residential populations in cities and towns across the nation," said Lombardi. "Periodic events that result in loss of property or disturbances of one kind or another in residence halls remind us of our obligation to continue to improve our security systems."
Cameras already exist in residence halls on campus, with the few exceptions being Brooks, Chadbourne, Crabtree, Greenough, Hamlin, Johnson, Knowlton, Leach, Thatcher, and Wheeler.
The planning of the new security measures began in 2000, when David Scott, the chancellor at the time, suggested the installation of security cameras in the Southwest Residential area courtyards, in order to deal effectively with potentially dangerous student behavior, according to Ed Blaguszewski, Director of the UMass News Office.
The UMass Police Department (UMPD) and UMass Housing Services worked collaboratively to make decisions and coordinate the plan.
"The security cameras are focused on doorways, lobbies, and areas of high student congregation," said Blaguszewski emphasizing that the cameras are for security - not surveillance. "Police use the cameras to gather evidence, not to watch students 24/7. They're not tracking the students' habits across campus. They don't have the interest, time, or personnel for that."
The UMPD uses its Web site, www.umass/edu/umpd to show clips of security camera footage in an effort to obtain information from students who may have seen the suspects.
In the past, the cameras have been the key for the UMPD to charge lawbreakers.
Be the first to comment on this story