Vigilance, awareness key to campus safety
If you come into a building on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus, prepare to smile for the camera.
All points of entry are equipped with video cameras for real-time safety surveillance and to aid in forensic investigations. Internal cameras are posted in all common areas and at the entrance to each hospital unit. Also keeping an eagle eye on campus safety are the Medical Center's 67-member police force and a 17-member team of security guards.
The Medical Center makes a significant investment in keeping employees, students and patients safe while maintaining a largely crime-free campus. It's a serious undertaking for UMMC's 3.4 million gross square feet of buildings, with a total of 4 million square feet maintained, including parking garages. The campus spans 187 acres and sees up to 25,000 people each day.
"We want to be an inviting environment, but not a medical target," said Jonathan Wilson, the Medical Center's chief administrative officer.
A recent carjacking, assault and shooting involving a member of the UMMC community near the Fondren Hill apartments across Lakeland Drive has heightened concerns and placed a spotlight on campus safety efforts.
"I think it's important for our patients, employees and students to know that our department takes 100 percent responsibility for everything that happens on campus," said UMMC Police Chief Michael Stamps. "We are concerned about their safety, and we work hard to make our facility a crime-free place."
Key to that effort is UMMC's partnership with the Jackson Police Department and its chief, Lee Vance. Stamps and Vance meet regularly, including after the Fondren Hill incident. While UMMC officers cannot patrol nearby neighborhoods, Jackson police help ensure coverage in surrounding areas.
"Enhanced patrols by both UMMC campus police and the Jackson Police Department in the surrounding community started immediately after the incident," said a memo sent to students and physician residents. It encouraged reporting suspicious activity, working with landlords to improve security, and sharing concerns with campus police and leadership.
"Recently, there's been a lot of concern about safety in Fondren Hill. Even though we can't patrol in the complex itself, we are increasing patrols in the area," Stamps said. "JPD shares our concerns about keeping students, patients and employees safe."
"Chief Vance and I have an excellent working relationship, and he supports us 100 percent in our efforts," Stamps said. "They've taken the initiative to do extra patrols on Lakeland Drive without us even asking, and crime has decreased in Precinct 3 because of our joint effort."
"The criminal element does not respect anyone's boundaries," Vance said. "So communication between law enforcement is crucial."
Security guards, all UMMC employees, also play an important role. Armed with radios rather than weapons, they serve as additional eyes and ears for campus police.
"If they see something suspicious or someone who needs help, they can alert campus police on their radios," Wilson said.
Security responsibilities have expanded to address concerns such as traffic at the crosswalk on State Street, where drivers have been known to run red lights and speed through the area.
Other safety measures include new LED lighting across campus, increased patrols around the stadium, Medical Towers and overflow parking areas, and additional patrols along Lakeland Drive.
"Anywhere there are people, we are increasing our patrols," Stamps said.
Many campus areas require badge access, and identification checks may be requested. Cameras are also mounted on traffic light poles throughout the campus.
Students and employees say they appreciate the police presence, though recent events have raised concern.
"I do feel safe at school," said Kinnara Vasamsetti, a first-year School of Dentistry student. "I see police officers constantly patrolling the stadium lot and around campus. I often leave late at night, and it's good to know they are out there."
Others emphasize personal awareness.
"I always look to see what's going on around me as I'm approaching my car," said Emily Cole, associate director of student records and registrar.
"I always take off my earbuds after dark or when crossing the street," said third-year medical student Taylor Parks.
Stamps emphasizes that safety is a shared responsibility.
"No matter what your environment is, criminals take advantage of opportunities," he said. "If you walk out of your office, make sure it's secure. Don't leave purses or laptops unattended, and don't leave your car unlocked."
He also urges reporting suspicious activity.
"It takes every one of us to keep our campus safe," Stamps said. "No law enforcement can take full credit. It takes the community."
How UMMC police, crime stats stack up
How does UMMC's safety and security compare to similar campuses and nearby cities?
According to FBI uniform crime statistics for 2014, UMMC recorded one violent crime, one aggravated assault, 148 property crimes, three burglaries and 145 larcenies or thefts. There were no vehicle thefts, rapes or armed robberies.
Comparable institutions show similar figures. The Medical University of South Carolina recorded two violent crimes and 99 property crimes, while the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences recorded two violent crimes and 125 property crimes.
UMMC's police force of 67 sworn officers and 17 security guards is comparable to, and in some cases larger than, those in nearby cities.
Clinton employs 53 sworn officers, Madison 82, Ridgeland 72, Pearl about 45 and Brandon 46. Each city has a population similar to the daily traffic on the UMMC campus.