Security tight as police patrol campuses
by Sherilyn Neudauer, reporter

    Students at TCC probably attend one of the safest campuses in the Metroplex.

   Although TCC is an open community college, police officers on campus provide tight security for students and faculty.

   Most campus police officers agree that TCC has improved greatly over the past three to five years.

   Manpower and equipment have improved, and the district has hired additional personnel.

   With the additional help, TCC police have gained momentum.

   Theft has decreased, and crime has been cut back, Lt. William Greene, South Campus, said.

   TCC rarely has car thefts or rapes. The most that happens is a “touch-by-touch” incident when someone touches someone else in a way the individual does not want to be touched, Greene said.

   For security, TCC police patrol the campuses frequently.

   Visibility cuts down on crime, Lt. Grady Patterson, SE Campus, said.

   “The police circle around the campus quite often to protect students and faculty as much as possible,” he said.

   Sgt. Toni Owens, NW Campus, recommended that students obtain a copy of the annual security report located in the Police Department on each campus.

   Included in the pamphlet are safety tips, TCC campus police mission for security, crime statistics for each campus, advice on rape awareness and policies regarding drinking alcohol on campus.
TCC has a progressive patrol staff that is trained to respond to all types of problems.

   The campus police have a good track record for protecting students, Lt. Terry Moak, NE Campus, said.

   “Students just need to be more careful with leaving their personal belongings lying around on campus,” he said.

   The biggest problem for students at TCC is having their personal items stolen.

   “A person lays down a book, backpack or purse and comes back and their belongings are gone,” he said.

   Moak said loss or theft of property is the most filed report yearly.
“Keep your possessions with you at all times. Do not let them out of your sight, or lock them up. Do not trust that the area is safe because you are familiar with it,” he said.

   Greene agrees that carelessness with personal items is one of TCC’s biggest problems.

   “We call this theft by opportunity. So do not leave personal items lying around,” he said.

   Another problem results because the motor vehicle regulations pamphlets are not being read; therefore, students do not know where they can or cannot park.

   Students can prevent citations if they read the pamphlets, Greene said.

   “Students are sometimes absent minded about parking violations,” Moak said.

   Moak said students get upset when they receive a parking ticket, but when asked if they have read their pamphlet or handbook, students say they did not receive one.

   Everyone who has a parking permit received a pamphlet at the same time.

   “Please read the rules in the pamphlet to avoid tickets, he said.

   Patterson said if students have a problem, no matter how minor it may seem, they should call the campus police.

   “Campus police are always willing to help. That’s what we are here for,” he said.

   Procedures have changed, so some students may not be aware of whom they need to call to file a report or call for emergency. Everything goes through dispatch, all problems, no matter what they are, Patterson said.

   Moak said students need to realize that they are not always at fault when something happens to them.

   “Things just happen, no matter how much you are aware and no matter how careful you try to be,” he said.

   “Report any incident that occurs and give as much detail as possible,” he added.

   Moak said it is helpful to be aware of surroundings and to provide as many details as possible.

   The more information one can give, the better the chances for solving the case, Moak said.

   “The important thing is to continue to always be aware of your surroundings,” he said.

   “Students and faculty are responsible, very smart and very aware. Smart people go to college,” he said.

   Students come to TCC campus to learn, and TCC police are responsible for protecting them as much as possible, Moak said.

   “We deal with the best of the best, the cream of the crop,” he said.

   The TCC police departments offer crime prevention tips to students: lock cars, be aware of their surroundings, keep their eyes open, take notice of all activity going on around them and be cautious.

   Officers also suggest that students walk in groups or with someone else and try to get where they are going quickly.

   Patterson and all police officers agree on the most important safety tip.

      “Always be aware of your surroundings,” he said.