SUPD upgrades to 21st century

As recent as last semester, peak hours at Southern University’s William Lee Pass Police Station would not be a good time for customers and visitors. Almost all reports had to be handwritten, there was limited space for an unlimited group of people needing service and bathroom facilities were not accessible.
On the outside, the weather-beaten roof displays wear and tear by exposing missing shingles, not to mention the numerous potholes in the parking lot; all enclosed by a rusty fence roping off the perimeter.
But slight improvements have been made, some within the last few months and more are sure to come, said SU Police Department Chief Dale W. Flowers and SU Interim System President Edward Jackson.
The 2,349-square foot, 48-year-old building is on its way to an upgrade that will turn the once outdated law enforcement structure into a first-class facility.
“Security is always a necessary issue on any college campus,” Jackson said. “The university is in the process of trying to identify a funding source to expand the police station on the building itself.”
Jackson estimated the improvements and upgrades would cost as much as $600,000.
“The police department is our potential source of security, unlike other campuses that rely on outside agencies.”
According to the SUPD Web site, one murder, eight robberies and 13 aggravated assault cases were reported from 2002 to 2003.
With approximately 9,000 students and faculty on campus, Jackson said Southern did not have a huge crime problem.
“Crime occurs on every campus in the United States,” he said. “I think ours is proportional to the size of the university. We have grown in size and any time your population increases, crime increases.
“That’s natural. It has nothing to do with where people are from. The city grows (and) the police department has to grow to manage issues.”
So far, $30,000 received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has allowed the police department to get computers and other electronic provisions. Now officers can record reports electronically instead of with a pen.
The officers received new batons, guns and more defense training. Also, Flowers said money was used to buy five cameras to add to the 16 the campus is already utilizing.
“It allows us a quicker response time,” Flowers said. “Everything is wireless and electronically, that’s a jump in the 21st century for us.
“The cameras have been installed around campus,” he said.
Flowers said the police department plans to install a police booth equipped with a retractable arm at the checkpoint on Harding Boulevard. Now, officers sit outside their cars and check student decals between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Flowers said contractors plan to double the size of the police station by extending it into the current parking lot and the entrance will face B.A. Little Drive in front of T.T. Allain.
There will be four new offices for traffic and parking, communications, records, men and women public restrooms and storage and break rooms for officers. The new building will accommodate the entire police department — up to 50 people — such as office personnel, officers and the public.
“Tuition will not be affected to defray costs,” Jackson said.
Jackson said he hopes to have the funds by December and the approval from the state to start construction right after.
No new jobs will derive from the expansions because the state mandates the number of police officers to be proportioned to the population. There are 15 officers on staff.