The
University Police Department remains committed to the proactive approach to
reducing crime on and around campus.
The department will develop and present programs on most any subject
related to crime and crime prevention.
During the past year, the department’s hall liaison officers made many
of these presentations. Hall staff and
residents were able to work with their assigned liaison officer to address
areas of concern.
One
area of growing concern involves underage drinking on and around campus. One program that the University Police
Department is involved with is the Healthy Choices class. Healthy Choices, presented through the Dean
of Students office, is a program for students found in violation of the state’s
liquor laws. Officers of the department
address the classes to provide information about penalties and fines associated
with liquor law violations. Another program
the department promotes is the “Options” program. This program is presented by Winnebago County and is available to
first time violators of the state’s liquor laws. Upon successful completion of the program, the participant’s
underage possession/consumption citation is dismissed.
Officer
Brad Hanson is a member of the University’s AODA Task Force committee. He is also a member of the Task Force’s
Social Norming sub-committee. The
Social Norming Committee will be launching a campaign to promote the idea that
it is all right if you don’t drink. The
campaign is set to launch in early 2001.
Officer
Hanson, along with Officer Robin West, also presented a “What to Do During a
Robbery,” program to employees of Reeve Union and the University
Bookstore.
The officers of the University Police Department, through education and awareness, hope to make the university community a safe and enjoyable environment to live and work.
In 1998 the UW Oshkosh Police Department along with Department Residence Life started the Residence Hall Liaison program. The program was developed to encourage a better working relationship with hall staff and students that reside in the residence halls. University police department officers are assigned to the program on a voluntary basis. They are then assigned to halls that request to participate. It was encouraged that officers get to know the residents of the halls. Hall liaison officers became a “part time” member of the hall staff.
The officers that were involved in the program were officer Laura England and Officer Adam Stublaski. Between the two officers they were able to split the responsibilities of the program to better benefit the residence halls. Both officers were actively involved in North and South Scott Hall and Fletcher Hall The officers do walk throughs of the halls to discover any security discrepancies and suggest corrective measures. They educate the residents about the importance of securing their property in order to reduce the number of thefts that occur in the halls.
Officers England and Stublaski presented programs to the hall on issues that affect the residents. Officers England and Stublaski spoke on the issues of underage drinking, sexual assault and personal safety, drug identification and usages, hate crimes and crime prevention.
In September 2000, South Scott Hall nominated Officer England for an OTM, which stands for “Of The Month” award. The award is given out monthly, by National Residence Hall Honorary in recognition of an individuals dedication to university residence halls.
In November 2000, the University Police Department and Residence Life opened a satellite office that is utilized by the hall liaison officers. The office is located on the first floor of Fletcher Hall across from the Residence Hall Director’s office. The office will be used as a meeting place and a resource for the staff and residents of Fletcher Hall.
Next year we hope to expand the program further into the campus community by being more visible and approachable to the students, faculty and staff. The officers goal is to become more active in programs and activities on campus and off campus. In 2001 the officers will be participating in the Polar Plunge 2001 and Law Enforcement Torch Run.