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UMass Lowell Undertaking Variety of New Campus Safety Initiatives

Through UMass Lowell today, the University has announced several large initiatives designed to improve campus safety, largely in response to student concerns last semester. The following efforts have been introduced since the beginning of the year:

  • A Campus Safety Task Force was established, bringing together representatives from the UMass LowellPolice Department (UMLPD), Student Affairs, the student body and other key departments on campus. The task force issued recommendations to departments including the UMLPD, Residence Life and Transportation to improve upon infrastructure, coordination and communication related to public safety. These recommendations are in various stages of implementation.
  • One of the task force recommendations implemented is a Joint Patrol Initiative between the UMLPD and the Lowell Police Department. The new patrols, which consist of officers from both agencies, enhance police presence in areas where students live and travel on and off campus. The patrols occur from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
  • The UMLPD and University Relations have initiated efforts to increase the effectiveness of the Timely Warning System. Timely Warnings, sent via e-mail as soon as information is available in accordance with the Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, alert the campus community to certain categories of crimes that occur on or near campus and provide safety tips for how to avoid becoming the victim of a similar crime.
  • The UMLPD headquarters has relocated to University Crossing, providing a more central dispatch location between the three campuses and establishing a feature presence in what will become the center of student life when the facility fully opens by fall 2014.
  • Other security improvements have been implemented in the area of University Crossing, including camera installations and the addition of a blue-light emergency phone at the corner of the Fletcher Street parking lot. There are more than 150 blue-light emergency phones and 390 cameras across campus.
  • The UMLPD and Student Affairs continue to educate students on preventative approaches and good safety practices. The UMLPD employs two full-time Campus Resource Officers who offer a series of safety, security and crime prevention programs.

Questions can be directed to the UMLPD at 978-934-2398, ext. 42398 or police@uml.edu. Students who are interested in scheduling a community outreach program for a campus group or organization may contact the UMLPD at police@uml.edu or Campus Resource Officers Joe Brown (978-934-4784/ext. 44784) or Jeff Connors (978-934-2192/ext. 42192).

Source: http://www.uml.edu/Today/Submissions/2014/2014-01-20-18-49-17-Update-on-Campus-Safety-Initiatives.aspx