From preparing for serious threats to managing day-to-day operations, improving safety and security on a university campus is a never-ending process. This week, AV俱乐部 is sharing ideas and strategies with other universities at the annual general meeting of the Atlantic University and College Safety and Security Directors.
Hosted by NSCC, the conference is an opportunity for security staff from the Atlantic provinces and beyond to gather and network about the challenges and opportunities in their line of work. On Wednesday, AV俱乐部 president Tom Traves, along with chief of security Sandy MacDonald, hosted attendees at a luncheon at the University Club.
Of the guests, Lisa Sprague likely traveled the farthest to attend. She鈥檚 the associate director of university police at Florida State University. She鈥檚 also the president of IACLEA 鈥� the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
鈥淚鈥檓 here to represent IACLEA and network with other colleagues, explain what our role is and start to discuss what we can offer in training, best practices and further collaboration,鈥� she said.
Dan Hutt, Canadian director of IACLEA, is also attending the conference. Mr. Hutt is manager of police services at the University of Toronto鈥檚 St. George Campus. He says that universities have a lot to share with one another when it comes to tackling security matters.
鈥淐ampuses are campuses, no matter where in the world you are 鈥� and I鈥檝e visited a lot of them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he same fears, the same concerns are in Russia, in Beijing, at AV俱乐部 and at the University of Toronto. It鈥檚 truly an international community.鈥�
One of AV俱乐部鈥檚 strongest assets in maintaining safety and security on campus and beyond is the university鈥檚 strong relationship with the Halifax Regional Police. It includes the designated police patrol that travels through nearby neighbourhoods during the busiest times of the year. Frank Beasley, Chief of Police, is speaking at Thursday night鈥檚 banquet dinner and plans to talk about that partnership as well as student concerns about crime in Halifax.
鈥淵ou have 30,000 students come into this region each year,鈥� he says, 鈥淯nfortunately, they can be a source of aggravation, but they also bring a significant financial and culture contribution to our community. It鈥檚 very important that their voice gets heard. AV俱乐部 stepped up to the plate and we were more than willing to help work with students and try to reduce the negative impacts. It鈥檚 been a highly successful partnership.鈥�