As in any community how safe that community is can depend on the residents that live there. The residents can simply report crimes as they occur or they can educate themselves in ways to prevent crimes from occurring in the first place. The University Police Department would like to be partners with the University community in taking a proactive approach through crime prevention. The University Police Department will develop and present programs on most any subject relating to crime and crime prevention. The department’s hall liaison officers present many of these programs. Students and hall staff should contact the University Police Department, or their hall liaison officer, if they have concerns about safety in and around their buildings.
One area of concern, not just at UW Oshkosh but nationally, involves underage drinking and/or binge drinking. Often, drinking is thought to be part of college life. What is often forgotten is the vandalism, civil disobedience, and unwanted sexual encounters that can and do occur as a result of drinking. The University’s AODA Task Force committee examines and discusses the current attitudes and practices regarding drinking on college campuses. Officer Brad Hanson is a member of this committee.
One program that the University Police Department participates in is the Healthy Choices program. Officers of the department provide information about fines and penalties associated with liquor law violations. They also talk about some of the consequences encountered as a result of underage drinking. Another program the department participates in is the “Options” program. The Options program is offered, through Winnebago County to first time offenders of the State’s liquor laws. The program is not mandatory but those who successfully complete the program will have their underage possession/consumption citation dismissed. Both programs are designed to educate students to make wise decisions relating to alcohol use.
The University Police Department’s officers hope to make the university community a safe environment to live and work through education and awareness.
In 1998 the UW Oshkosh Police Department along with the Department of 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 officers are assigned on a voluntary basis. They are then assigned to halls that requested to participate in the program. In general the hall liaison officers became a “part-time’ members of the hall staff.
This year we have expanded our program with the assistance of Lt Dennis Nasci, Officer Brad Hanson and Officer Stanely Zitek along with Officer Laura England and Officer Adam Stublaski. We were able to accommodate other halls that requested the program. This year we have expanded to Breese Hall, Nelson Hall, Clemans Hall, Taylor Hall and Stewart/Evans Halls along with maintaining the program at Scott Hall and Fletcher Hall. The officers conducted walk through of the halls to discover security discrepancies and suggested corrective measures. The officers also attended hall government meetings and hall staff meetings to present on going proactive an non threatening image. They educated the residents about the importance of safety and took proactive approach in reducing the number of thefts that occurs in the residence hall.
Officers England and Stublaski and Lt Nasci presented programs to the halls on issues that affect the residents. Officer England and Stublaski and Lt Nasci spoke on the issues of underage drinking, sexual assault and personal safety, drug identification and usages, hate crimes, and crime prevention. This year we have done more hands on approach to personal safety and presented a self defense program to the residents. Officers taught the residents on how to prevent an attack and what to do if they encounter a personal attack. This program was very well received from the residents especially the female resident. We have received stories from participants that had to have used the techniques and had prevented a serious attack.
This year Officer England along with Resident Hall Director Bryan Bain had participated in the Polar Plunge 2002 to raise funds for the Special Olympics. Officer England collected $800.00 in donations from several halls (Scott Hall and Fletcher Hall) and individuals. Officer England and Stublaski also teamed up with Scott Hall staffs and participated in the annual Lincoln School Trick or Treating program. The officers passed out candy and helped escorted the students around the halls, over 100 elementary students participates in the program. Also this year officer England spoke to Mrs. Kaprelin’s kindergarten class located at Franklin Elementary School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There were about 25 “active” students who asked hundreds of questions about being a police officer and the equipment.
Along with the community involvement the officers continued to team up with the Dean of Students and Peer Resource Organization (PRO) to promote and educate on alcohol awareness and drug abuse that occurs in the campus community. The officers used the Drunk buster goggles that were purchased with a grant and develop an interactive program where the audience is allowed to experience being intoxicated without actually drinking any alcoholic beverages. The participation level is very high and positive. In fact every year we are requested to do at least 15 to 20 programs a year that involve the Drunk buster goggles and playing the Twister.
The officers also participated in the fall and mid year training for the new and experienced Community Advisors (CA). They trained the CA’s in the familiarizations of drug use and alcohol issues that they may encounter while in the residence halls. This year Officer England presented a special program on Personal Safety Issues involving Community Advisors. This program was put on with the cooperation of Resident Hall Director Amy Dyer and provided a hands on approach on how to stay safe when encountering individuals under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The program was packed with both new and returning Community Advisors. The officers were also active members of the Selection Committees for hiring new Residence Hall Directors and Assistant Residence Hall Directors.
This past year was again very active and busy for the hall liaison officers. They presented programs to residents hall and educational classes. They were available to the hall staff and residents for questions and concerns along with attending meetings and being proactive in the issues that effect the quality of life in the residence halls. Our main goals for next year is to expand the self defense classes and recruit additional officers for the program. But overall the program continues to be well received by hall staff administration and the residents.