Security office undergoing changes
- Campus security officer undergoing changes.
- Additions will help curb campus crime, security director says.
By Scott D’Amico, Online Editor
Students and faculty will notice changes in the office of Safety and Security this summer.
The most noticeable change will be in the uniforms worn by security officers around campus.
Campus Safety and Security Director Ike Sloas said the blue and black uniforms will be replaced by new tan and black uniforms.
“We want to be highly visible,” Sloas said. “I guess it was part of an overall plan to move us forward professionally.”
Another change for Safety and Security will be the vehicles they drive while patrolling around on campus.
The basic white vans will be replaced with two 2007 Ford Expeditions.
The SUVs are being purchased with a total cost for the two vehicles coming to approximately $60,000.
Sloas said the SUVs, which were purchased at Bob Moore Ford, will come with a five-year warranty.
“[University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center] is also getting one for patrol and emergency management,” Sloas said.
The other major change that will occur will be the way security officers can observe the parking lots.
Sloas said 10 video cameras are being purchased for the parking lot.
“Basically every lot has a camera watching it,” Sloas said.
These cameras will supplement the SUVs purchased.
Sloas said a computer will be placed in each new vehicle, allowing images from the cameras to be seen by officers when they are on patrol.
Sloas said the additions will help curb crime on campus while also making Safety and Security better equipped to deal with emergency situations.
“Everything we’ve done, in my opinion, has lessened crime,” Sloas said.
Sloas said a name change also is being considered for the office of Safety and Security. It will become the Department of Public Safety.
The name change is pending an opinion by Oklahoma State Attorney General Drew Edmondson.
The Department of Public Safety also is the name of a state agency.
That agency includes the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
Online Editor Scott D’Amico can be reached at onlineeditor@occc.edu.
