UNLV Upgrades Safety, Security Following December’s Mass Shooting

Improvements include more mental health resources, door locks, additional security officers on UNLV’s campus, and more.

UNLV Upgrades Safety, Security Following December’s Mass Shooting

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In the two months since the mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) that killed three faculty members and injured another, the school has made many efforts to enhance safety and security.

Last month, UNLV launched its Rebel Recovery Program that aims to increase security on campus for the spring semester, as well as provide mental health and wellness resources to individuals affected by the shooting, reports X107.5. According to the UNLV website, the events and communications of the Rebel Recovery Program include:

  • “All Hands” faculty and staff meetings
  • Recurring updates on campus safety and security enhancements
  • President’s mental health town hall
  • Student town hall meetings on resiliency
  • UPD-led security education training sessions
  • Scheduled and pop-up events and meetings for students, faculty, and staff to offer mental health, counseling, and wellness support services

The program will also offer:

  • Mobile mental health support Virtual and in-person training for supervisors on ways to support faculty and staff who are dealing with stress
  • Training for faculty and instructors on mental health and incorporating a trauma-informed approach to teaching
  • Pop-up mental health and wellness activities with university and community support services
  • Drop-in crisis support services for all UNLV community members
  • Health education sessions and workshops on self-care, trauma-based coping strategies, and grounding skills
  • Trauma-focused therapy groups for students (through CAPS) and employees (through Employee Assistance Program)

Additionally, University Police Services will have an enhanced presence on campus, and private security officers will patrol campus from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week, reports KTNV.

The university has also created a security and safety committee that will meet twice a month. The committee will make recommendations for improvements to building safety and security, as well as policies. Members will consider additional emergency notification systems on campus and upgraded video surveillance cameras, as well as possible improvements to the chain of command.

During the December 6 ordeal, nearly 500 doors were damaged when members of SWAT were clearing the campus. Most of those doors have received temporary repairs and locks, and UNLV has partnered with a vendor to make permanent repairs to the doors.

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About the Author

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Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.

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