Cauldron

Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Other News

Media Credit: Ben Felleman On-campus constables are a regular presence as a part of increased security measures.

In an effort to increase security on campus, UST's security department implemented several changes over the spring and summer breaks, according to Chief of Security Daryl Bissett.

During the spring semester, two Harris County Precinct One deputies, Randy Scales and Aramando Menchaca, joined the security staff.

Bissett said their duties include conducting vehicular patrols, foot patrols and bicycle patrols, as well as running traffic on the University's intersections.

"We were fortunate enough to get a couple of great deputies assigned out here," Bissett said. "These young guys are go-getters. They've got a lot of initiative, they respond well to the students, [and] they respond well to the faculty and staff."

In June, the department hired Sgt. Martin Dear as an evening and night-time shift supervisor. Dear was previously employed with the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

"Sgt. Dear comes in to provide supervision and administrative duties during portions of both the evening and night shift," Bissett said. "That way we also have a supervisor on the grounds here during additional hours during the day."

Additionally, four of the University's outdated call boxes were replaced over the break, and two new call boxes were added. Four more call boxes are scheduled to be installed within the upcoming year, Bissett said.

The security department recently worked out an agreement with the new residence life director, Yolanda Norman, that enables officers to conduct routine foot patrols through Guinan Hall.

In addition, Bissett said he attended various orientation events on campus with his officers to enhance their visibility and approachability to incoming students.

"I spoke, probably, three different times on Tuesday and took officers with me each time so that I could introduce them and they could be recognized by the students," Bissett said.

Bissett said the University has also adopted an E911 system, which it hopes to implement soon. The system will enable students to receive text-message and e-mail blasts whenever a situation occurs involving a threat on campus. Applicable alerts will include shelter-in-place warnings and suspicious-activity-on-campus warnings.

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