Massachusetts College Increases Security After Dorm Fires

Massachusetts College Increases Security After Dorm Fires

“We are increasing the number of public safety patrols around campus, all of campus, but in particular, the residence halls,” college official Michael Graca said.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • December 04, 2018

Wheaton College officials are increasing security after a series of residence-hall fires.

At about 12:30 a.m. Monday, Norton, Mass., firefighters responded to a fire at the MacIntire residence hall. It was the third fire in that dorm in 24 hours, following fires set in the second- and third-floor bathrooms of the hall around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Another fire had taken place in the same residence hall last Wednesday.

“I was surprised it happened again,” student Corey Campbell told WHDH. “I just hope they find out who has done it.”

During Sunday’s incident, 100 students were evacuated into buildings nearby. No one was hurt.

The university is increasing security as a result of the fires.

“We are increasing the number of public safety patrols around campus, all of campus, but in particular, the residence halls,” college official Michael Graca said.

Students and staff are required to scan an ID to enter the buildings impacted by the fires.

“It’s just hard to know who is doing it, and how to stop it if we don’t know who is doing it,” Campbell said.

Campus police are asking anyone with information about the fires to contact them.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular