Baylor University’s New Approaches to Campus Security -- Campus Security Today

Baylor University’s New Approaches to Campus Security

Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtil has been working hard to improve the safety of everyone on campus

May 09, 2017

In 2014, Brad Wigtil was promoted to Baylor Police Chief. Since then, he’s made large strides in campus security improvements. In only a few years, he’s added 11 more officers and dispatchers to the department – which now totals 38 officers and 10 dispatchers.

There has also been an increase in technology used across campus for security purposes. Nearly 200 more cameras have been installed since 2014, and Wigtil plans on having 1,000 cameras up and running by fall 2017. Baylor is also using a mobile app, BU Campus Guardian, that allows users to quickly and easily call or text dispatchers.

Wigtil recently implemented a new Community Contact Program that encourages Baylor officers to interact with community members during their shift; this helps students become more comfortable and aware of the officers and safety while on campus.

Crime prevention initiatives are taken seriously at Baylor, and Wigtil added a second officer to help with safety programs and two more officers have been certified as bike patrollers to help cover more ground during patrols.

“Baylor University is committed to safety. We wake up each day focused on how to get better and create an even safer campus,” Wigtil said. “The Baylor Police Department will never become complacent and will continue to evaluate, research and implement new programs to enhance safety on campus.”

Baylor is also working with the city of Waco to become certified in a crime-free, multi-housing program that strives to keep students who live on campus safer. With all of the ongoing security improvements being made around campus, student and faculty can rest a little easier knowing their safety is always being considered.

Featured

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
How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now
- Facility Security
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
- Facility Security
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
- Facility Security