By David Williams, Freelance Writer ARMED GUARDS and surveillance cameras are to feature prominently in a tightening of security operations on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), on the heels of the robbery and shooting of a student last Friday night at an on-campus Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Director of Campus Security Services Lucien Tai Ten Quee told The Gleaner yesterday that the implementation of a number of security initiatives, which had been on the cards, would be accelerated following an emergency meeting of the Mona Management team and the Guild of Students Council on Sunday.
"Up until now, the escalation in security measures had been a gradual one," he said of the new security regime which was instituted in December 1999. "This was out of necessity. We did not want to plunge the campus community into a culture shock."
The Security Director disclosed, however, that Campus Security Services will have armed guards transferred temporarily from Milex Security Services, its parent company, with immediate effect. The armed officers will operate an armed motorcycle and motor vehicle response team, working on a 24-hour basis. This is intended as a temporary measure until officers with Campus Security complete firearm training and receive firearm permits. Training will be completed by December, Mr. Tai Ten Quee said.
"We resisted the idea of having armed guards for a long time, even though we felt it would be inevitable. Nobody here is overjoyed that as a matter of routine we will now have armed guards patrolling an academic environment."
Mr. Tai Ten Quee also revealed that three security surveillance cameras were purchased from suppliers in Canada and the United States two months ago. They had not been installed, he said, because their controllers had been stolen and authorities were awaiting replacement parts. He said these parts should be received by next week and the cameras promptly installed. In August, the University also began plans for implementation of an electronic card access system for the halls of residence.
The security reforms announced yesterday also include a ban on taxis from entering the campus, restriction of access to only those persons with University IDs, vehicles with UWI stickers, and persons doing legitimate business. There is to be improved lighting and a general security awareness programme.
Mr. Tai Ten Quee explained that the main gate on Mona Road, known as the Queen's Gate, will be reserved for cars with official UWI stickers, while visitors will have to use the Post Office gate, also on Mona Road.
President of the Guild of Students, Andrew Edwards said the Guild was "reasonably satisfied" with response to students' security concerns in light of last Friday's shooting.
"Since the new security operations came into place, the incidence of crime has reduced, but our concern is that the nature of the crime has changed now. Two or three years ago... the worst thing would be a student getting attacked with a knife; now people are using guns."
The President appealed to the police to maintain patrols on the campus and to do all in their power to bring criminals who prey on students, to justice. "I don't know that people are being implicated and charged in relation to these crimes and that certainly is of concern to the Guild." He noted however, that in some instances this was a result of students not reporting crimes or giving evidence against perpetrators for fear of reprisals.
The Director of Security could not confirm reports that a female student was recently raped on the campus.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old student injured in Friday night's incident was scheduled to undergo surgery yesterday to have the bullet removed from his leg.
