DPS should better promote its safety information, target freshmen at start of school year

This semester, the Department of Public Safety has successfully identified problems concerning on-campus safety. However, there is still room to better target students and better advertise the department’s safety information.

DPS has increased surveillance on campus, and now has 500 cameras, giving them 800 camera views across the university. DPS officials have also instated an increased amount of officers on patrol during the beginning of the semester, when the campus is most vulnerable to crime, said DPS Chief Tony Callisto.

DPS officials also plan to continue student engagement opportunities this year, similar to their “Warm-Up with DPS” effort last semester, when DPS officers served hot chocolate to students at the College Place bus stop.

It is reassuring that DPS officials are continuing to reach out to students and gauging the safety measures needed to protect the university. However, DPS officials should consider better advertising their safety information, such as whom to call for an escort and the hours when DPS is available for the service. Because the information provided by DPS is crucial to student safety, it should be more heavily promoted beyond the DPS website.

DPS officials should also improve targeting freshmen at the beginning of the academic school year. For example, a DPS officer could visit residence hall floor meetings and discuss the department’s purpose on campus. The officer could also discuss the dangers of Thornden Park, something Investigations and Crime Prevention Commander Ryan Beauford said the department works to inform students about.

By enhancing how safety information is relayed and targeting freshmen at the start of their college careers, DPS affords them the knowledge to have a safe experience at SU.