Alabama A&M University (AAMU) announced it is implementing several measures to improve its campus public safety infrastructure. The investment totaling about $600,000 includes new police body-worn cameras, an upgraded surveillance grid, and more.
Starting this fall, all campus police officers will have body worn cameras, according to an announcement by the school. Officers will be required to record all of their interactions with the AAMU campus community.
“This keeps our officers safe and accountable during their contact with campus stakeholders and visitors,” Chief Montez Payton said in the announcement.
Additionally, cameras throughout the AAMU campus will monitor roadways, intersections and parking lots. Another upgrade is a new automatic gate arm that will improve access control as well as traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Residence hall access control is also being improved.
Drones will also be used by campus police for large area surveillance and traffic control.
“The safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors is a top priority for Alabama A&M,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Braque Talley. “This investment is part of our work to sustain a safe and welcoming campus environment.”
New mobile command-post hard-case boxes will also ensure AAMU police systems can continually run in the event of power and/or internet interruptions during natural disasters or severe weather.
New computer docking stations and printers have also been added to department of public safety patrol vehicles. These changes will help to keep officers on campus rather than needing to frequently return to department of public safety headquarters to write reports and other duties requiring a computer.
