The University of Central Arkansas will kick off National Campus Safety Awareness Month during the UCA Bears football game on Sept. 2.
UCA is among several colleges and universities that will promote safety awareness during the month of September. The university is partnering with Security on Campus Inc., a non-profit organization whose goal is to prevent violence, substance abuse and other crimes on college and university campuses.
UCAPD will have a mobile command unit set up during the football game for students to sign up for the UCAAlert and Operation ID. UCAAlert sends emergency notifications to the campus community through text, voice message, or emails. Operation ID is a nationwide program designed to discourage burglary or theft of valuables. Students can register their valuables, which will increase law enforcement’s chances of recovery and easy identification of stolen property.
Officers will also be on hand to provide information about other campus safety resources.
“During National Campus Safety Awareness Month, we want to focus on three things that will make an immediate impact to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Arch Jones Jr., University of Central Arkansas Police Department public information officer.
The police department will have a booth set up each Wednesday at the Student Center and each Thursday in the Technology Plaza behind Torreyson Library during X-period for students to register for the UCAAlert and Operation ID. The video “Shots Fired on Campus: When Lightning Strikes,” will be broadcast during those events. The video is presented as part of UCA’s emergency preparedness initiatives to help educate UCA students, staff and faculty about what they can do to survive in the event of a shooter on campus.
“Through awareness we want to increase participation in UCAAlert and Operation ID and provide the opportunity for as many of our students, faculty, and staff to view the video “Shots Fired on Campus: When Lightning Strikes,” said UCA Police Chief Larry James. “This is an issue no one likes to talk or think about but through awareness we want our students, faculty and staff to be mindful, not fearful.”
