WSSU + community safety center = safe campus environment

Winston-Salem State is the only HBCU that is technically assisted by the U.S. Department of Justice to deter crimes.        

The recent fatal shooting of a Spelman student and the murder of a Yale coed grad student may have college campuses throughout the country concerned about their safety.

Winston-Salem State, however, has not had a homicide on campus since 1984, said Vernon Davis, WSSU Police Captain.      

"In my opinion, the WSSU campus is much safer than any of the other campuses in the city of Winston-Salem,"  Davis said.      

The partnership between the WSSU department of police and public safety and the Center for Community Safety have been working together to deter criminal activity.

CCS was created in 2001 as a public service to the community from WSSU.  

Its offices were placed downtown as an outreach to neighboring communities, said Alvin Atkinson, CCS director.

"There is always a need for university and community partnership," he said.

"CCS came out of a federal initiative from the U.S. attorney," Atkinson said.

Winston-Salem State is the only HBCU that is technically assisted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

CCS utilizes research and data to create a safe campus environment, as well as within the community.  

"Data drives our strategy," Atkinson said.  

CCS works closely with the Winston-Salem police department as well.

The departments work similar to TV shows like "CSI."  

Their labs create crime prevention strategies such as environmental design (techniques include increased lighting and reduced shrubbery).

WSSU requires a specific environmental design strategy because of its terrain.  Atkinson said that a campus as open as WSSU poses a greater opportunity for crime.

 CCS works with all departments on campus creating  job opportunities, internships and networking.