Campus security improved, director says
- OCCC Safety and Security Director Ike Sloas spoke to News Writing Students March 10.
- After the campus shootings in West Virginia, changes and improvements constantly are being made for campus safety, Sloas said.
By Chynna Collins and Shea Cannon, News Writing Students
OCCC Safety and Security Director Ike Sloas spoke to News Writing Students March 10. After the campus shootings at Virginia Tech, changes and improvements constantly are being made for campus safety, Sloas said.
The most recent and effective investment OCCC has made the telephones located in every classroom and office. These telephones are able to receive and send alerts when there is an emergency, such as an active shooter on campus. One thing Sloas said he would like to see added when funding is available is free standing speakers that would be located throughout the campus. These would sound alarms if an emergency were to occur.
Sloas said safety and emergency procedure signs have been placed all around campus and in classrooms in an effort to clarify what students and staff should do in case of fire, medical problems, bomb threats, severe weather or other emergencies. The signs are posted beside the exit door in each classroom.
The most serious crime problem on college campuses is theft, Sloas said. OCCC has 17 armed security officers. These officers must have 40 hours of firearms training. These officers work a four shift rotation and some are on duty around the clock.
“Cameras have also been added to parking lots which has helped tremendously,” Sloas said. There are security telephones in the parking lots for students or faculty to use anytime they feel necessary. Car thefts have been greatly reduced, Sloas said.
“The administration has been very supportive for raising safety standards,” he said. New vehicles and uniforms for security officers have been purchased. All officers now carry a standard weapon, the Glock Model 22, the standard police department firearm.
OCCC’s security staff is well trained, Sloas said. Before being hired, officers must have one year experience as a security officer and be certified by CLEET, Oklahoma’s law enforcement certification agency.
“Our department runs 85 percent like a police department,” Sloas said.
Although improvements have lowered crime rates on the OCCC campus, there are more than 300 incident reported annually. When asked how students can help prevent crime on campus, Sloas said, “Be aware of your surroundings.”
