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MCC Photo Archives |
| Even in the early years of MCC, College Safety was still patrolling the campus parking lots (above) looking for violators. The only element that has changed is the make and models of the cars (below). |
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Rebecca Straughmatt Mesa Legend |
College Safety grew with school’s needs
Loraine German
Mesa Legend
Emergencies, accidents, and injuries, are all unexpected incidents that nobody has control over; this is why as soon as Mesa Community College opened its doors, a public safety office was created. In the first few years that MCC was open, security was taken care of by a private company hired by the college.
During MCC’s starting years security was provided by the Pendleton Organization until the late 60s or early 70s, when one of its officials committed the only murder in the schools history. After the incident, the school’s administration decided to create their own Public Safety Department. As Public Safety was created, civilians were hired to be the security officials and it wasn’t until 1998, that students started to get hired onto the safety staff.
A background check, good references and training in CPR are some of the requirements for students who want to apply for the job presently. Capt. Lynn Bray said, “We try to hire people that want to be police officers or firefighters; this is good training for them.”
The requirements for officers have not changed. What has changed is the amount of officials in duty. During the early years the safety department had almost double the employees it does now.
Bray explains that some of the reasons these numbers have changed are the budget crunches and the ability for students to work more than 20 hours a week.
As part of the MCC public safety team, there are five certified officials that have more than 20-years of experience in the field. Bray expressed that it is for these group of officials, that a petition was filed for the District to allow them to carry firearms while on duty. This dilemma has been talked about in the school strongly for the past two years and is still awaiting approval. He also expressed extreme gratitude towards the administration and the District who have helped to fund improvements in the department. “The administration has been very supportive, they have been very generous and have made many changes over the years,” said Bray.
Some of these changes include the computerization of all the systems and log forms. A completely new camera system was recently added and this includes the best technology available for surveillance and crime prevention purposes.
Since 1997 the totals of stolen property at MCC has gone from $44,000 down to $5,000, which is a significant decrease on internal theft, describes Bray. Crime prevention measures have changed over the years and these changes are noticeable in the crime statistics, which are lower than ever.
All in all, MCC has always been a safe environment with no other major crimes reported other than the murder during the school’s early years. According to Bray, “Day or night, if I had a daughter, I would be comfortable with her being safe in the school because I believe that it is as safe if not more than any other campus in America.”
He is glad that now the public’s safety does not rely only on Mesa’s Police Department, giving them a breather, and that the changes have been effective.
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