WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Pennsylvania lawmakers presented a $155,701 check to Wilkes University officials last week so the school can upgrade its security systems.
According to campus Chief of Police and Public Safety Director Michael Krzywicki, the funding will pay for improvement’s to Wilkes University’s security cameras, reports PA Homepage.
The grant for the video surveillance upgrades was from local casino gaming revenue, reports The Citizens’ Voice, and was one of nine sponsored by the City of Wilkes-Barre.
The installation of upgraded security cameras will not only benefit the school, but also the city. Krzywicki said the city police department frequently accesses the cameras on campus.
College Campus Protection Pros Value Their Security Cameras
Wilkes University is just one of many college campuses bolstering their video surveillance systems. This summer, the University of Georgia (UGA) installed the first of 20 automated license plate readers, reports The Red & Black.
This spring, Michigan State University said it would install a new security camera system that uses artificial intelligence to detect threats and count people. The upgrade was in response to the February 2023 mass shooting that killed three students. Gonzaga University in Washington also implemented cloud-based video management and high-definition cameras this spring.
Video surveillance is an extremely popular security system that’s been adopted by 94% of schools and universities, according to the 2023 Campus Safety Video Surveillance Survey. Campus police and security departments use this equipment frequently.
