MTSU utilizing $1.8 million in grant money to upgrade campus safety

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) – Middle Tennessee State University leaders announced their plans for nearly $2 million in state grant money aimed at campus safety improvements.

The biggest chunk of the grant will be used to upgrade existing outdoor lighting, as well as add lights to places that have none as of now.

“The appearance of safety and the deterrent for safety; lighting was the biggest part of this grant,” MTSU Police Chief Edwin Kaup said.

Chief Kaup said with a student population of more than 20,000 people, the campus boasts a significantly low crime rate.

“I feel pretty safe on campus,” rising junior Ryan Zikovich said.

Kaup says every campus parking lot light will be replaced with LED lighting, which is both more efficient and brighter than the lights they currently have. The campus will also be adding solar-powered lighting to each of its bus stop hubs, which currently have no lighting in them.

“I love that they’re trying to make students safer,” recent graduate Taylor Sewell said. “The parking garages anywhere are definitely terrifying.”

In addition to improving the lighting, money is also being directed towards buying new mobile weapons detection systems, similar to the ones at Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators games.

“I think everyone needs to do this,” Sewell said of the weapons scanners. “I’ve been to too many places that have a bulk amount of people, and they don’t have any sort of screening system.”

The detectors allow for a faster screening process while working to detect strictly weapons. So everyday items like keys and wallets won’t set off the sensors.

“I mean it will make me feel safer, especially with like stuff that goes on around campuses,” Zikovich said.

Kaup says the technology is a huge help, but his officers will still need to be vigilant when they’re being used.

“For us, it makes it easier for us,” Chief Kauf said. “But it’s a tool, we still have to be there. We still have to make sure the person coming in isn’t allowed to.”

The remaining money will be used towards the following facets of campus and police life:

• Electronic Access Systems: The University will be upgrading its buildings locking mechanisms to employ the use of swipe technology at all campus building entrances and exits.
• Police Radios: Chief Kauf says since both Murfreesboro Police and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office moved to encrypted scanners, their technology couldn’t keep up. They now will be able to communicate between those departments to lend a hand in the area, or to call for backup.
• Security Cameras: The department will be buying more cameras to place around campus. Chief Kauf says they’ll also be utilizing a mobile surveillance trailer they can place in different parts of campus to curb crime.
• Traffic Safety: In a different grant secured earlier in the year, the department got $5,000 from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office. $4,000 will be used to buy a radar speed trailer, and $1,000 will be used for overtime pay for enforcement campaigns.

More information on the funding and plans can be found on MTSU’s website.

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