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Awareness: key to maintaining crime prevention by Cindy Abole Public Relations In the wake of the Sept. 11 events and the nation’s response to terror alert warnings, the issue of safety and security has emerged to become one of the most important priorities among the nation’s educational institutions. It was no different at MUSC.  What has emerged is a number of safety upgrades and a collective mindset echoing the Boy Scout's motto: Be prepared. Each day, the Office of Public Safety strives to maintain its mission to provide a safe and secure environment for employees, students, patients and visitors. Even during these troubled times, they have remained committed to campus safety, security and theft prevention and focused on improving crime awareness through education, while implementing newer technology and improvements.  “What we emphasize to employees, students and staff is to act moderately, while staying alert to one’s situation and surroundings,” said Public Safety Chief Tom Brown. Since 9-11, the department has evaluated campus safety and security, assessed plans, made decisions and coordinated rapid response efforts with other departments, public health and emergency officials associated with city, state and federal agencies. Even Public Safety staff personnel have been in the forefront of safety planning and support. Brown, deputy chief Ron Underwood,  and operations commander Capt. David McMakin attended extensive training in the handling of weapons of mass destruction including chemical, ordinance, biological and radiological assessments (COBRA) in Anniston, Ala. Underwood was asked to join South Carolina's hazardous materials team, a group trained to handle bioterrorism around the state. Working at this level of collaboration has its advantages, according to Brown. First, it allows MUSC to be involved firsthand with specific groups regarding local, state and federal investigations. Secondly, it gives the department and its members more exposure in their training and expertise around the state. The effort has also established closer collaboration with other campus offices like Risk Management, Medical Center Security and Safety, the Provost’s Office, Facilities and Engineering, the Bioterrorism Task Force and other groups. “The events from 9-11 and its aftermath have changed how risk managers and safety professionals operate,” said Wayne Brannan, director of Risk Management. “There’s definitely more thought to the possibility of threats. Because of this, it's very important that we coordinate between Public Safety and other internal programs. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to draw  people to work together.” Brannan also serves on the Governor’s Homeland Security Task Force, a program recently established to assist South Carolina businesses in the development of a terrorism emergency response. According to Brannan, contingency plans are already in place for the campus in the handling of anthrax, chemical exposure, dirty bombs, mass casualties, etc. In late 2001, Public Safety worked with MUSC Physical Plant personnel to improve communications by upgrading their emergency radio dispatch service to 800 megahertz, the same frequency used by City of Charleston Police and other law enforcement agencies for response and action. The change came after the July 2001 joint effort by MUSC Public Safety and the City of Charleston Police to pursue and apprehend an armed suspect near campus.  Another major improvement was the installation of wireless, two-way voice emergency communications callboxes. Within its 67 acres, MUSC's campus supports 62 callboxes operating in various locations and structures. Many are linked to remote cameras and the campus' Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system for overall improved safety. In addition, camera surveillance has also been expanded throughout the Medical Center and other locations. Providing updates to secure access within the university buildings and operations was another priority.  They worked with campus departments in establishing card access, which increases security in many areas of the campus. “We wanted to use the technology that’s on hand to make changes and improve our efforts,” said Capt. Bob Waite, Public Safety operations support commander. “Before we worked with separate pieces. Now we’ve learned how to integrate equipment and activity to help in investigations.” Another program coordinated by Public Safety to improve the level of awareness is the publishing of weekly crime statistics. This recap of criminal activities that occurred on campus is published each week in the campus publication, The Catalyst. But in this time of waiting and sacrifice, how can MUSC remain focused and maintain a high level of vigilance? “The university has taken up a number of important measures to ensure everyone’s safety on campus,” Brown said. “This allows us to make better use of our resources whether it’s finances, equipment, manpower and training. It’s important that we become involved in managing our security measures.”   Thwarting car thieves, promoting safety Public Safety is offering several crime prevention programs that promotes personal safety and awareness on campus. When Charleston residents began reporting an increased number of vehicle thefts and break-ins in January, the City of Charleston and area law enforcement responded.  Last year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau ranked the Holy City 53rd among 330 metro markets in motor vehicle thefts. In 2001, about 2,944 vehicles were stolen in the Charleston area alone.  To help combat this, the City of Charleston applied for a federal grant to purchase The Club, a popular anti-theft device, at discounted prices to control activity. The Club is available at Public Safety Headquarters, 101 Doughty Street, and at the Public Safety Offices in suite 607 of Harborview Tower for $15. Another public service program aimed at improving campus safety is Public Safety’s Whistle  Alert Program. Established last June, the program promotes awareness and solicits citizen response to supplement electronic technology like call boxes, closed circuit TVs and audible alarms. Investigations’ Lt. Terry Howell runs the program and conducts a short security overview and a five minute video presentation with campus groups of all sizes. Upon completing the Whistle Alert Program presentation, participants receive their own safety whistle that they can attach to their key chain to summon help in the event of trouble or in cases where they need assistance. “This program has been a simple and easy way to promote safety in the workplace and surroundings,” said Howell.  For information about The Club or Whistle  Alert programs, contact Public Safety at 792-2261.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.