Security and Tensions Are High Ahead of Richard Spencers Speech at UF

Security and Tensions Are High Ahead of Richard Spencer's Speech at UF

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for the event.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 19, 2017

Tensions are high on campus as police, federal agencies, campus police and students brace for Richard Spencer's speech at the University of Florida Thursday.

In the wake of the deadly protests and counter protests in Charlottesville, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for the event, which is to be held in the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

This is the first time Scott has declared a state of emergency for an event and explained the motion by saying the declaration frees up additional state, county and local resources.

The university is also increasing security by purchasing over a mile's worth of steel barricades to cordon off the perimeter of the event and to keep protesters and counter protesters away from each other. The school estimates that it will spent nearly $600,000 on security for Spencer's planned speech. Spencer's National Policy Institute is paying $10,564 to rent the space.

The school has calling in hundreds of law enforcement officers from federal, state, county and city sources. Streets will be blocked off and movement around campus will be controlled.

Police will help to monitor the events as they unfold from rooftop surveillance cameras that were installed in the days leading up to the event.

 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Shooter Still at Large In Brown University Shooting that Killed Two, Injured Nine

    Three days after a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two and injured nine, police are still searching for a suspect. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular