SUPD Receives $750,000 MHEC Campus Safety Grant

By SU Public Relations

SALISBURY, MD---The Salisbury University Police Department (SUPD) soon will have more tools than ever to help keep the campus safe thanks to a $750,000 Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Campus Safety Grant.

“The safety of our students, employees and visitors is our No. 1 priority,” said SU Police Chief Edwin Lashley. “This funding will provide us with even more resources to meet that goal. We are grateful to MHEC and to the State of Maryland for their support.”

The grant will allow for the purchase of additional security cameras on campus, as well as a portable camera for use in areas where temporary additional surveillance coverage is needed.

Funds also will allow SUPD to invest in new software, including the unified security operations platform Genetec, which will bring many of the systems currently used by police under one operation.

“Genetec has the ability to unilaterally house all of the security camera footage, door access control and other systems that are used by Salisbury University and monitored by the SUPD into one central location,” said Lt. John Herbert, SUPD field operations commander.

Additional grant-funded purchases will include a digital message board for use at large campus events such as Move-In Day, Alumni Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Commencement, and a utility terrain vehicle.

The UTV will be used to transport traffic control items for special events and will serve as a community policing tool at major campus events. It also will enable officers to access interior portions of campus that regular patrol cannot and be available for deployment during hazardous weather conditions.

For more information about SUPD, visit the SU Police Department website. 

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