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Chief eyes safety with readiness, preparation by Cindy Abole Public Relations It has been five months since the Sept. 11 terrorist event and the results have changed the mindset of Americans everywhere when it comes to assessing their overall safety and security. Today, people still ponder about their safety both at home and at work. But are our communities and work environments secure and prepared for the threat of violence, bio-terrorism, and other dangers?  These are issues that MUSC Public Safety Chief  Robert “Tom” Brown has focused on these past seven months. Last October, he was officially named to the department’s top position after serving as interim chief since last spring. Brown’s career in law enforcement and business are essential in helping to maintain a safe campus community. Chief Tom Brown stands with one of 36 campus callboxes. “Coming back has been an excellent opportunity for me,” said Brown, a Frankfort, Ky. native, who had worked nine years with the force before transferring to an internal audit position three years ago. “Since being away, I’ve had the chance to perform specific duties, plus meet and work with top administrators throughout the university, hospital authority and other research areas. I have always wanted to have the chance to lead this department. I feel I posses a good understanding of the campus environment and its current needs.” Kentucky roots After serving a stint in the U.S. Army,  Brown began his law enforcement career with the Kentucky State Police working in positions such as a road trooper, undercover narcotics agent, commander, instructor and program coordinator at the Kentucky State Police Academy in 1987. He served security details under former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown and Lt. Gov. Steven Beshear during his 1986 campaign for governor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in police administration, a minor in business and master’s in loss prevention from Eastern Kentucky University. Although the country has been transformed since September, the traditional mission of the Public Safety Office has not, according to Brown. Its purpose continues to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, patients and visitors under the guidance of the university’s overall mission and the Division of Finance and Administration.  “Policing on a university campus continues to be a real challenge given the historical level of ‘openness’ most university campuses have enjoyed operating in,” said John C. Sutusky, Ph.D., vice president for Finance and Administration. “We want a Public Safety force prepared, properly trained and equipped at all times to respond to an event with full-force, if required. I want them to be prepared as well as the ‘best’ community police forces nationally. The university community deserves no less.” Brown classifies MUSC as a unique academic institution with a specific focus on health care and research. He is reminded that not only does it provide for Lowcountry health care needs, but it is also the area’s intake facility for critical care and emergency services and mass casualties. Despite these responsibilities, Brown is confident the campus is ready for such emergencies and has been well-prepared for disasters even prior to the Sept. 11 attacks with the implementation of MUSC/MUHA’s disaster plan following Hurricane Hugo in 1989. “What’s needed is for our staffs to continue training in explicit procedures that will ensure adequate safety and response,” Brown said. “This is essential since we are part of the team of first-responders to any campus emergency.”  Continued training with occupational safety teams, hospital security and the university’s bio-terrorism committee has led to safer handling of bio-hazardous spills and incidents within labs and facilities.   Increased patrols, improved training  and other safety enhancements are just some of the security improvements on campus.  Overall, the department has received good, positive support from employees and visitors, said Brown. Many have chosen to be more compliant to campus safety measures and are more accepting to security changes. “We’re finding that most people possess a realization to see our positive efforts succeed and the need for progress in certain areas,” Brown said. Policing with technology Last month, Chief Brown met with statewide campus law enforcement directors in Columbia to discuss ideas and strategies for maintaining safe college and university environments. “Right now, we’re concentrating on tightening up our campus perimeter,” Brown said. Expansion of security card access within labs and other work areas, upgrades to closed circuit television (CCTV) capabilities, security cameras and enhancements to all campus callboxes. A team organized under the provost’s office is currently accessing security access issues and available systems needed to meet its demands. Security card access into some labs, offices and campus buildings are already in place.  Wireless callboxes, first introduced on campus in 1998 serve a functional purpose. Their easy visibility make it possible for anyone to locate and activate one during an emergency. Many of the 36 callboxes will eventually be linked to CCTV for continuous monitoring and response. Part of the upgrade also includes the placement of new boxes in the employee parking garage on President Street, the Harborview parking garage and Hagood parking lot.   “Staying abreast of these technological advances will be a continual effort and enhanced from time to time for all major missions,” Brown said.  Interim improvements  In the transition from interim to permanent Chief Brown imposed slight changes  including a reorganization of his administrative staff through reassignments and reclassifications. According to Brown, no one was negatively impacted by the changes.  With a full staff of 62 people, the department has been successful in attracting many qualified recruits from the military and law enforcement fields. These career-oriented individuals bring years of bio-hazard and law enforcement training and experience that helps to enhance the department’s standard for safety and excellence. Also successful during his interim were enhancements to Public Safety’s Escort Program. In September, a new weekday escort courtesy van was introduced to patients, staff and visitors. Last year, about 15,653 total escorts were recorded on campus. The escort van has generated enough positive response from people as far away as Spartanburg and Laurel Spring, S.C. that Brown is considering increasing its services into the evening and late night.  Also on Brown’s agenda is to increase and diversify crime prevention programs for students. Brown wants to get more involved with the Student Government Association and seek creative ways that would involve students in planning and providing increased safety. He has begun to improve communications with the community by developing a new citizen’s response questionnaire that will be used to follow-up incident reports.  Preparing for CALEA But his immediate mission is to prepare for this year’s national re-accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), first completed in 1998. Brown and Public Safety’s Accreditation Team are readying for the mock assessment scheduled for May 2 and the on-site assessment from Aug. 17-21.  CALEA accreditation is an important process that helps to maintain the university with industry standards for excellence.  “We have an excellent Public Safety Department,” Sutusky said. “Chief Brown is the right person to lead us as a university community through the delicate balancing needed between safety and the maintenance of freedoms university campuses have traditionally enjoyed. Unfortunately, Sept. 11 changed the world and also affected us. A high visibility is now important for its hopefully deterrent effect.”