The start of another academic year finds Southern Arkansas University Police Department steadily focused on emergency preparedness and safety around the campus community. As the residence halls, classrooms and campus sidewalks fill up with the noise of student life, the UPD works with Student Life to develop initiatives and present educational programs targeted for personal emergency preparedness and safety.

SAU Police Chief Eric Plummer, whose experience and dedication to continued law enforcement training has earned him the distinction of Senior Chief of Police from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, has incorporated measures and programs on campus and adopted models that educate and empower individuals to avoid falling victim to crime.

“During the past couple of years, we have installed outdoor surveillance cameras and added a new officer – thanks to a public safety fee enacted by the Student Government Association (SGA),” said Plummer. “The Physical Plant has continually added lighting to areas previously identified as areas of concern and will continue with this lighting initiative as the university grows.

Plummer commends the efforts of the SGA in their efforts to take on safety concerns.

“By choosing to adopt a public safety fee, the SGA has enabled the university to hire an additional police officer and to start an outdoor campus surveillance network,” he said. “Every effort to help makes a difference.”

The department has also developed a new safety initiative called the informative Campus Awareness Network or iCAN in order to encourage all members of the community to be more aware of their surroundings and to report abnormal or suspicious behaviors.

To be launched this year, iCAN provides an anonymous messaging system that will allow individuals to text information to police without being identified. Concerned citizens can send information or tips via text message to 67283, containing the word “SAUTIP,” followed by a space and then the message. UPD hopes the program will provide an outlet for students and community members to provide feedback and information about crimes or prevention.

Plummer said he is hopeful the department’s efforts will encourage students, faculty and staff to become more aware of their surroundings. It’s another step toward his mission to provide a safe and secure living, learning and working environment.

“Education is vital to create a sense of awareness and to change behaviors, which can be detrimental not only to a community member, but the institution as a whole,” said Plummer. “Along with education, the most important factor of personal safety is awareness and taking personal responsibility for your surroundings.”

Another educational initiative – “Policing through Practical Partnerships” (PPP) allows the community to partner with police and is geared toward changing public perceptions of police officers from caretakers to partners in safety. The goal of the initiative is to strengthen, educate and empower individuals to take on some responsibility in keeping themselves and their property safe.

SAU PD also promotes emergency preparedness with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Resolve to be Ready campaign. The program encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in four important steps:
• Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area.
• Make a family emergency plan, so you know where to go and how to communicate and find your loved ones if a disaster hit.
• Build an emergency supply kit – both at home and in the car – that includes water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or get stranded in your car. This is especially important in icy conditions.
• Get involved – Find out how you can promote preparedness in your community.

“Being prepared for an emergency of any magnitude is a very important part of keeping safe,” said Plummer. “Emergencies can range from inconvenience to devastation, but you can resolve not to be a victim of an emergency or disaster and take steps to minimize the impact of emergencies.”

SAU Police welcome campus community members to join them in training programs and take the pledge to prepare during the National Preparedness Month (September).

For service, call (870) 235-4100. To learn more about programs, educational opportunities and services provided on campus by the SAU PD, visit www.saumag.edu/police/.

August 8, 2012

Contact: Chief Eric Plummer, 870-235-4100

Southern Arkansas University Police Department and Office of Student Life Encourages Southern Arkansas University to Resolve to Be Ready in 2012

Magnolia, Arkansas – The New Academic Year is a perfect time to Resolve to be Ready and Southern Arkansas University is proud to be promoting emergency preparedness for 2012.  To help spread the message and make its employees and members of the university community better prepared, the Southern Arkansas University Police Department and the Office of Student Life is hosting several emergency preparedness training courses and events.

Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign, Resolve to be Ready is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the New Academic Year.  The Ready Campaign would like to encourage making an emergency preparedness resolution to take four important steps:

•  Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area.
• Make a family emergency plan, so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones if a disaster hit.
• Build an emergency supply kit – both at home and in the car – that includes water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or get stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
• Get Involved – Find out how you can promote preparedness in your community.

 According to Chief Eric Plummer, “being prepared for an emergency of any magnitude is a very important part of keeping yourself and your community safe.  We hope that our community members will join us in these important training programs and take the pledge to prepare during the National Preparedness month (September) in order to get involved and keep our community safe.”

Emergencies can range from inconvenience to devastation, but you can resolve not to be a victim of an emergency or disaster and take steps to minimize the impact on you, your family and your businesses.

More information is available at Ready.gov. The Website includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to be informed, develop a family emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and get involved.

For more information, visit Ready.gov or the Spanish-language website Listo.gov or call 1-800-BEReady or 1-888-SE-LISTO (TTY 1-800-462-7585).

The Southern Arkansas University Police Department has begun utilizing the iPAD as a law enforcement Mobile Data Tablet (MDT) for its patrol vehicles.  The iPAD is a cost effective way to integrate computing capabilities into the patrol function.  The traditional law enforcement laptop cost approximately $3,800.00 while the iPAD cost per unit was $499.00.  The iPAD also allows officers to have access to law enforcement applications that will allow them to be more efficient in performing their job duties.  “We are excited about the integration of the Mobile Data Tablet into our operations and look forward to the cost savings that will be associated with this implementation” said Southern Arkansas University Police Chief Eric Plummer.  The Mobile Data Tablets have allowed the SAUPD to streamline their processes and have allowed for the department to go paperless in a majority of their daily operations.

On Tuesday, August 7th, 2012, neighborhoods throughout Magnolia are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “29th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Southern Arkansas University Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 7th, residents in Magnolia and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. The Southern Arkansas University Police Department is hosting various activities for the community. Starting at 5:00 p.m. the Rider Rink will be open for free skating, popcorn and drinks. The police department will hand out Child ID Kits which include fingerprint, DNA, and description information to help identify children in the event of an emergency. Activity books, balloons and stickers will also be provided.

Please join us in building a safer community here in Magnolia and at Southern Arkansas University.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On May 7, 2012 the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) presented the Southern Arkansas University Police Department with a check for $344.49 to purchase bulletproof vests.

AACP is proud to participate in the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide this critical resource to local law enforcement agencies.

The AACP is a non-profit organization of police chiefs and executives from all over Arkansas who recognize the importance of having proven, effective leaders in law enforcement. It continually works toward enhancing the knowledge and skills of police executives so that they can effectively meet the growing demand of providing the best possible law enforcement available today.