Students can feel safer during late night walks, according to University Police, who recently upgraded all 114 cameras for $20,000 across campus at the beginning of fall semester.

 “In the Freret Street Garage we went from 20-year-old black and white hard-wired cameras that could no longer be technically supported, to digital fiber optic color cameras with an upgraded storage capacity DVR,” said Patrick Bailey, director of public safety and University Police. “We added color cameras to include the ramps, additional entry and exit locations and the West Road area behind the garage.”

Loyola’s Student Government Association and the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., also contributed to the project. Sarah Cooper, marketing junior and SGA president, spearheaded the decision to improve the UP cameras as SGA contributed $4,000 to the project.

“I brought it up to Paul Fleming, the assistant vice president of administration (for Physical Plant), who directed me to the UP,” she said. 

According to Cooper, SGA made their contribution as University Police had wanted to undertake this project for some time, but that their funds were insufficient.

The remaining balance came from the university’s allocated operational budget funds, Bailey said.

 “CTV cameras provide the extra eyes on campus to help keep our campus safe and secure. Cameras are highly visible and are used to help deter both personal and property crime with video recordings,” Bailey said.

Cooper said although parking lot safety originally wasn’t one of her major initiatives, several student said that parking lot safety was a major issue.

“It was especially a concern of Loyola’s commuters,” Cooper said. “Their major concern with safety was primarily during the night, when walking to and from their cars. A lot of them were worried something could happen while no one was watching. They just wanted that extra comfort knowing someone was watching out for them.”

Bailey said the cameras can be used to identify not only suspects in campus crimes, but also the exact time place and location.

“From a safety point of view, it is possible to review an accident that occurred or a person in distress and the assistance rendered,” he said

So far, Bailey said the cameras have made an immense impact on safety around campus.
“On Sept. 2 of this year, one of our LUPD officers attempted to stop a suspect who had just committed an auto burglary in the Freret Street Garage,” Bailey said. “Camera footage was reviewed to document the suspect and his car at that time and his rapid exit from the garage. When all the information was compiled, the suspect was arrested by NOPD and the property returned to the Loyola student.” 

Along with the upgraded cameras, two new cameras have been installed around campus. Fleming declined to comment where they are, but he assured Cooper they are placed with the students’ well being in mind.

“We always want to hear how we can make them feel safer on campus — and we are working hard to make sure they do,” Cooper said.

Stephanie Pawlik can be reached at [email protected]