The U of M is implementing strategies to strengthen its campus security system.
On March 3, students, faculty and staff received an email from the university president and vice-chancellor Michael Benarroch about the new campus safety initiative.
The president’s office is introducing campus safety education sessions for the university community, including faculty, students and staff.
The university hopes to provide strategies to approach active threats on campus by partnering with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS).
Information regarding the campus’s emergency response plan and the UM Safe app will be covered. Representatives from the WPS will respond to any inquiries and will provide instructions on what to do if there are active threats present on campus.
Sessions for the Bannatyne campus will be held on Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Theatre B-BMSB, while sessions for the Fort Garry campus will be held on Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 108 St. John’s College.
These sessions beginning this March at both campuses are intended to be held annually, according to Benarroch.
Benarroch previously communicated that the university was taking steps to reinforce its emergency intervention and response. This followed a review of the campus’s emergency response plan to account for reports of an armed individual on the Fort Garry campus.
Communication pertaining to the UM Safe app, infrastructure upgrades and education such as training opportunities and annual sessions on safety procedures were all key components that the university had stated needed improvement.
Security Services currently offers different modes of reporting and recording crime activity in an effort to keep the community safe.
Security Services offers emergency and non-emergency contacts for those in need. Incident and silent observer forms are also available online and can be used to report non-emergency incidents.
The UM Safe app is intended to improve community safety by sending alerts and offering access to campus safety tools and information.
Code blue emergency poles and emergency red phones are located across campus. When activated, security guards will be deployed to the location of activation.
Approximately 1,000 closed-circuit security cameras are located on campus that can be used to record any potential crime activity, according to Security Services.
To register for the campus safety education sessions, refer to the email in your university inbox sent from the president’s office. Questions can be directed to Michelle Ulrich at michelle.ulrich@umanitoba.ca.
