WSSU tackles security issues

The increase in the number and the type of police presence is a part of a new security plan to ensure a safe and drug-free environment on campus.
   The new procedures were implemented following the shooting at the Anderson Center March 22.  
“We are implementing an increase in police as a direct result of drug and weapon use on campus,” said Marcus Sutton, the deputy chief of police at Winston-Salem State.
The changes include placing Winston-Salem city police officers at  campus entrances before 10 p.m., campus check points and gate closings. “We want to show visibility to drug activity as well as the local community to make sure that everyone is safe,” Sutton said.
There are 19 WSSU police officers and five W-S city officers.
SGA President Austin Grier said that the student body has noticed the police presence.   
“There have been different responses from students about the increase in police but people feel safe,” Grier said.
Grier, a junior political science major from High Point, is also the newly elected vice president of external affairs for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Chancellor Donald J. Reaves sent an email to the WSSU community April 10 to explain the new procedure and the zero tolerance policy.
“We certainly want to ensure that the campus is as safe as possible throughout the year,” he said.  
“We will, for example, employ the same number of officers year-round. We also will make any adjustments in our plan that appears necessary for the summer or for any other time in the future.”
“The zero tolerance policy was instituted primarily for illegal drugs, including marijuana because we know from law enforcement that there is a much greater likelihood for there to be guns on campus when there are drugs on campus.
“We will, however, continue to enforce the laws and policies in place dealing with alcohol, and you can see that in the Campus Incident Report printed in the April 10 issue of The News Argus,” Reaves said.”
 The Argus publishes reported criminal activities verbally provided by campus police.
The police presence has increased on campus but law enforcement still encourages students to help with the prevention of criminal activities.
“Just because we have a presence on campus does not mean that activities cannot be reported by students,” Sutton said.