THE UNIVERSITY IS WATCHING: SECURITY CAMERS KEEP CLOSE EYE ON SEMO CAMPUS

Mike Hurst, a dispatcher with the Department of Public Safety, looked at monitors which show views from across the campus.

From an office on the north side of campus, Southeast Missouri State University officers can monitor activities across campus on a closed-circuit television system.

Over the past four years, the university has invested $100,000 in the system, which includes 45 cameras monitoring parking lots, computer labs and lots of other areas on campus

The closed-circuit television system is one part of the university's security plan, explained Doug Richards, director of the Department of Public Safety.

"Sometimes people think it's Big Brother watching," Richards said, "but that's not the case at all."

In addition to the cameras, additional lights and emergency call boxes have been installed on campus. Night escorts are available, and the campus offers a transportation system.

The cameras have a dual impact. They improve security and deter crime, Richards said.

"The system supplements the work our officers are able to do," he said. "We have more eyes in more places with this system."

"We put the cameras up in public areas that we consider hotspots or troublespots," Richards explained. Cameras watch sidewalks, lobbies and other areas where trouble has occurred or areas that are hard to monitor by officers driving through the campus in patrol cars.

The university's computer labs, with a large investment in technology, are also monitored by cameras. "We have a high volume of people and large dollar amounts of equipment," Richards said.

No cameras are in place in private areas like residence halls. As a result, Richards said, the cameras didn't capture those who set fires in the Towers Complex recently.

The cameras aren't easy to spot. Some look like light fixtures. Others are perched atop light poles.

The cameras transmit pictures along fiber-optic cables to the dispatching center for the university police, explained Rodger Chisman, director of telecommunications on campus. Chisman oversaw installation of the system.

The pictures are monitored 24-hours a day by officers. The displays continuously rotate through the 45 cameras. If an officer notices something suspicious, he can stop the rotation and inspect the image. Often, a patrol officer is sent to the scene to check out the situation.

Four cameras are equipped with the ability to pan, tilt and zoom. From the dispatching center, officers can zoom in on license plate numbers and people.

The system has room for expansion, although no large-scale additions are planned. A pan, tilt and zoom camera is planned for the new athletic fields at Sprigg and Bertling.

"That's a remote area of campus," Richards said. "The camera adds an additional level security to that area."

The images are videotaped, and the tapes are maintained for 30 days, unless the pictures show something in question.

"We've gone back and reviewed tapes, but the tapes haven't been used in a court case yet," Richards said. "The tapes could be used in court, we just haven't had a serious crime."

The closed-circuit televisions are rare on college campuses, but common in businesses, especially retail stores. But that is likely to change, Richards said. He has received lots of interest from other university safety programs and regularly provides tours and explanations.

"In a closed environment like a campus, this is the thing of the future," Richards said. "The benefits for human safety and personnel safety are obvious. There's also benefits to the campus. A camera could detect a fire or a broken water pipe long before an individual might detect it."

Response to the camera system has been positive, Richards said, adding: "Parents are relieved to see the measures we are taking to make the campus safe."

And, the cameras serve to deter some crimes. "I think that cuts down on vandalism and things like that," Richards said. "The students know we are watching."