Temple University announced a series of technological upgrades to its Department of Campus Safety Services Communication Center Nov. 1.

The wide ranging upgrades include new software, computer monitors, two new workstations, new furniture, dimmable lighting and an extra durable carpet, according to the university’s release.

“Our main goal is to protect our Temple family,” says Edda Bejarano, a systems administrator involved in the installation process. “New technology gives us the ability to respond to any of their needs quicker and gets us information in a timely manner.”

Bejarano also says plans to increase on campus enrollment by 2020 factored into the decision to invest in upgrades.

The Communications Center, which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, monitors and facilitates officer responses on and around campus. Dispatchers at the center can access real-time video surveillance footage and the 82 Code Blue emergency phones around campus.

Dispatchers also have access to the walking escort program, elevator emergency phones, panic alarms, intrusion alarms, fire alarms and information on law enforcement activity.

Joe Garcia, who serves as Campus Safety Services’ deputy director of administration, says the upgrades will help the department deploy more officers to incidents quicker and thinks it will improve the department’s relationship with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Temple currently allows Philadelphia police to access its dispatch system directly and to collaborate on emergency responses.

Temple University has a police force of 130 sworn officers and 250 full time-equivalent security officers. The Communication Center is staffed by 20 professionally trained and certified dispatchers.

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