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November 19, 2007 —
Police encourage residents to lock doors in light of recent unlawful entries
On Nov. 14, an unlawful entry was reported in University Village West. Residents reported hearing the sliding door blinds move and the front door open and shut. Nothing was taken.
This entry is similar to ones reported in the past. Similar incidents have also been reported in the Cardinal Townhomes.
"Sooner or later we'll find him," Sergeant Marc Strain said. The police have a description of who they are looking for.w
The University Police urge residents to make sure that their doors are locked and if they hear or see anyone in their dorm or apartment who doesn't belong they should call the police.
Campus safety bulletin lays out procedures to take in the event of an emergency
In a campus-wide e-mail from University Police, police chief Ron Trepkowski said that all incidents on campus are communicated to the university community as quickly as possible.
This communication will provide information as to the nature of an incident and instruction on a course of action intended to provide for everyone's safety.
Depending on the nature of the incident, University officials may need some time to assess the situation and communicate information and safety instructions.
CampusAlert is designed to communicate to the University community in the case of such emergency. This messaging system now has the capability to contact classrooms, labs and offices in addition to contacting faculty, staff and students who signed up for text/voice message notification.
Messages are also sent by other means such as e-mail, voicemail and the use of the University's Web site.
The same e-mail included three hypothetical scenarios (violent acts, bomb threat, and chemical spill) and what course of action should be taken because it may require at least 5 to 10 minutes from the time that the University first has knowledge of an incident before law enforcement officials can respond.
In the event of a violent act, such as an assailant on campus with a firearm, CampusAlert is activated and sends a message with instructions regarding what to do.
The instructions include staying in the classroom, lock and barricade the door, shut off lighting and stay out of sight.
These steps are intended to provide valuable safe time while waiting for law enforcement response.
Staff in offices and students in on-campus housing should take similar action - lock office and room doors, barricade doors, shut off lighting and stay out of sight.
In the event of a bomb threat, a message will be sent to the campus community indicating the threat and course of action.
Depending on the assessment of the situation, the action may be to either evacuate a building or buildings or remain inside your location.
In the event of an industrial chemical spill in the tri-county area that potentially threatens the campus, a message will be sent to classrooms via CampusAlert and to faculty, staff and students by either e-mail, voice mail or a posting on the University's Web site with instructions from University police.
Depending upon an assessment of the situation, you may be directed to remain in buildings rather than evacuate campus.
The various methods of communication that the University Police intend to deploy in a crisis situation depend upon technology and the operation of the University's electrical system. In addition, CampusAlert's effectiveness can be affected by the amount of cell phone traffic routed through cellular transmission towers. Do to the potential for technical difficulties, it is asked that people do not discount the importance and potential need to use word-of-mouth communication in an emergency.
Other situations then the ones mentioned above could occur.
Lastly, the University Police would like to remind everyone that if they observe a police, fire or medical emergency they should contact Saginaw County Central Dispatch. If calling from a campus phone, dial 9-911 to reach Central Dispatch.
If anyone has any questions or concerns they can contact University Police Chief Trepkowski through the University Police at (989) 964-4141.
compiled by Mary Oakley