Violent Incidents on UT Campus Leads to Improved Security

Violent Incidents on UT Campus Leads to Improved Security

The University of Texas has stepped up its safety and security following violent incidents on campus.

University of Texas police are upgrading security, adding campus safety professionals and learning to communicate better in the wake of the two deaths on campus since 2016.

In April 2016, a freshman, Haruka Weiser, was found dead in a creek on campus near the Alumni Center. According to court documents she was assaulted and killed by a homeless teenager, who was later charged with her murder.

In May 2017, a stabbing spree on campus killed Harrison Brown and injured three other students. A student from the campus was arrested and charged for the crimes.

This week marks the first anniversary of the stabbing spree and UT campus police and safety officials want students to know they should feel safe. In a letter send to students this week, the schools police chief and vice president of safety wrote about how the school is continuously striving to improve safety on the campus.

After the murder in April 2016, UTPD, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted a safety audit to determine where security gaps were. Since then, UTPD has increased its police force from 67 officers to 104. Campus safety leaders explained that the stabbing in May 2017 accelerated the momentum behind the changes already in progress.

Other changes include UTPD working a lot more closely with the Austin Police Department, allowing UTPD to receive an broadcast updates about crimes that happen in West campus. UTPD has also added a communications officer who will help UTPD take in more information about and share information with the campus community. UTPD has expanded patrols, staffed more officers in West Campus and are doing more community policing to build the trust of students.

In addition to patrols and communication, the university also implemented a major security overhaul.

The university is installing "celebrated entrances" at all buildings on the main campus. That means that after hours, there will only be one point of entry to campus buildings which will only be accessible by students, faculty and staff with a key card.

Inside the entrance is a "safety hub" which will contain an AED, a hemorrhage response kit, an emergency call button and clearly marked address information. Overlooking the entrance will be a camera to gather surveillance footage.

To cut down on crime, the university is also increasing lighting on campus and in off-campus communities where students live. UT is also working to cut down on plants around campus that get in the way of visibility.

While many of these changes are already complete, the whole security overhaul should be updated by September 2018. 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.