MCC Police work to keep campuses safe at night

by Laura O’Donnell

How safe do you feel on campus after that late-night class?

On the Metropolitan Community College campuses, security is a major concern.  With some common-sense caution and help from the MCCKC Police force, students don’t have to be afraid of the dark.

Capt. Chuck McMullin, commander of the Longview branch of the MCC Campus Police, says that safety at all of MCC’s campuses is taken very seriously. According to McMullin, officers are available 24/7. If there is not an officer physically on campus, one is on call.

Three to four officers are on duty at a time, McMullin said, and their primary focus is the protection of people and property. The officers also work on patrol functions, investigations, campus networking and traffic issues.

McMullin said that in his opinion, it is not more dangerous to take a night class than one during the day. He called the environment “very safe and friendly.” To help keep safe at night, McMullin recommends that students walk in pairs and park in well-lit areas if they are concerned about taking a night class.

Reporting suspicious activity to the campus police is very important, McMullin said, because there is no way that the officers will know about the activity unless students and teachers report what they see or hear. He said that anything that seems out of the ordinary can be reported to campus police dispatch, or by calling 911.

To help ensure that you are not an easy target for a crime, keep these simple suggestions in mind:

• Secure your belongings in your trunk instead of in plain sight in your car.
• If carrying a purse, keep it close to your body.
• If you think you are being followed, cross the street or change direction.
• Always notify campus police if you witness a crime or any sort of suspicious activity.