By Kiara Catanzaro
News Assignment Editor
Safety and Security Services purchased a Jeep Patriot in May 2013. This is the second Jeep that St. Bonaventure University funded; the first was purchased in May 2011, according to Vito Czyz, director of Safety and Security Services.
“The newer Jeeps are more mobile, four-wheel drive vehicles,” Czyz said. “They are also much more identifiable to campus community members with professional decaling, light bar sets and PA (public address) systems.”
The purchase of the new Jeeps will enhance the safety of students and faculty throughout campus, according to Czyz.
“They are particularly more effective for controlling and responding to traffic problems, accidents and general emergencies,” Czyz said. “Management of difficult situations is also enhanced due to enhanced equipment and visibility. The only drawback is the fact that there is limited space for transporting passengers.”
Aside from purchasing new jeeps, Safety and Security Services is currently working on a new control system where students will be able to access certain buildings on campus.
“We are beginning to transition to a new electronic access control program starting with the Swan School of Business, followed by the Richter Center,” Czyz said. “Additional cameras are being strategically placed in various locations around campus for increased security and surveillance.”
Czyz further explained the control program, to be placed in the Swan Business Center and the Richter Center for students in the upcoming semester.
“The department has hired an additional full-time officer over the summer months who will provide more consistent shift coverage,” Czyz said. “All dispatchers were specifically trained this summer in the new CCTV monitoring system, which is currently being rolled out. Dispatchers also received training in the new access system. This fall we will begin utilizing students for certain positions in staffing men’s basketball games. The recruitment process for this is currently underway.”
Members of the Safety and Security staff ask that students report their ID card information through email or in person. This will allow students to access the new technology that will be in place at the Swan Business Center and the Richter Center.
“In order for us to program student badges (Bona ID cards) to work in the new access system, we specifically need the student to provide us with the four or five digit number, which appears on the upper back portion of the card,” Czyz said.
Safety and Security Services asks if the information has not already been provided please email it to security@sbu.edu, call 2525, or stop by Robinson 122 to provide us with the information.
“The department strives to continuously make the campus a safer place to live, work and study,” Czyz said.
