Guest speakers and protests on college campuses around the country have grown in intensity as of late, and now colleges such as UC Berkeley are worried that campus security arrangements could force that violence out into the city streets.

Campus Security Arrangements Could Impact City Safety During Protests

Guest speakers and protests on college campuses around the country have grown in intensity as of late, and now colleges such as UC Berkeley are worried that campus security arrangements could force that violence out into the city streets.

  • September 13, 2017

Colleges have security protocols in place to keep their students and staff members safe, but what happens when such arrangements can negatively affect the safety of the city they’re in? That’s what Berkeley Major Jesse Arreguín is worrying about.

With an upcoming event at UC Berkeley where conservative speaker Ben Shapiro is expected to speak at 7 p.m. this Thursday, City Council members are concerned that protestors will be pushed out into the city streets. This could create big problems for the police department, retail stores, and the citizens.

Campus security has already started sectioning off  areas where no one will be allowed inside after 5 p.m., and leaving little room for protestors – protest group Refuse Fascism is scheduled to attend – to maneuver.

“The university is not an island,” said Arreguín. “There is a city around it… Having these events in the evening so close to downtown and Telegraph Avenue, and having a security plan that inevitably will result in these crowds moving onto city property, impacts the city and local businesses.”

Arreguín also stated that he is frustrated with UC officials for allowing the event to take place at night, but student groups have not been in favor of events taking place during the day, when most students are in class. Arreguín is concerned that the nighttime hours provide more cover for violence and vandalism to take place unseen.

And he does have a right to be concerned. Just last February a protest at UC Berkeley ended up in the city, where vandalism resulted in $600,000 in damage to ATMs and other property was reported.

Berkeley and UC police will have a strong presence during the event, in hopes of keeping any violence at bay.

Campus security is always a top priority, but with protests becoming more violent, it may now become a priority to keep their city and citizens safe, as well.

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

  • 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