Campus safety

By Alex Lamp:

City College has placed security cameras throughout the Wellness Center on Ocean campus in an effort to deter thefts and other crimes.

In response to last semester’s unusual spike in theft-related crimes in the Wellness Center, City College allocated funds to install security cameras throughout the facility.

“We’ve spent $30,000 on all of the equipment (security cameras) in the Wellness Center alone,” Officer Erica McGlaston of the campus police department said.

The cameras have been positioned in strategic, high traffic areas on all three floors of the building. The cameras are placed in every hallway and stairway, at the main doors and in front of the bathrooms and locker rooms.

The upgraded security seems to have curbed the criminal activity in the center.

“Since the beginning of this semester we’ve had a significant decrease in crimes, particularly in the Wellness Center,” McGlaston said.

Faculty in the Wellness Center have access to the live feeds of each camera and can rewind and watch footage at an undisclosed location in the building.  Only Wellness Center staff and the campus police have access to this room.

“We have two people in the process of being hired to be stationed primarily in the Wellness Center,” McGlaston said.

These officers will be positioned by the main entrances of the Wellness Center.

Campus police hope the presence of these officers will deter any criminal actions in or around the Wellness Center.

Criminal activity has decreased significantly following the surveillance system’s installation, however property theft remains prevalent in the Rosenberg Library.

Although forcible robbery is not an issue in the library, student’s belongings continue to be stolen.

Surveillance cameras have recorded thieves stealing possessions, specifically electronics from students who leave their items unattended on tables.

Progress has been made toward the apprehension of library thieves.

“We’re able to actually identify a lot of the suspects that are involved in the robberies in the library,” McGlaston said.