According to an announcement by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Cleveland State University is beefing up its campus security with a healthy injection of grant money. A total of $7.5 million is being distributed across 28 colleges and universities in Ohio as part of the Ohio Campus Safety Grant program, with CSU getting a slice amounting to $321,500. This marks the second such award for the university, a previous grant having been received in 2022.
The funds are earmarked for safety enhancements based on identified vulnerabilities in a recent safety assessment. For CSU, these include upgrading lighting, securing residential buildings, and equipping the campus with a mobile surveillance trailer. According to CSU's news release, Chief Beverly Pettrey of the CSUPD emphasized that "The physical safety improvements [we are planning to make] will undoubtedly help increase the sense of safety for students living on campus."
A review of the campus safety grant applications was conducted by the Ohio School Safety Center, in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education. In planning these improvements, Chief Pettrey consulted campus leaders and stakeholders, with the collective focus set on addressing the specific safety concerns drawn from recent crime trends in the area.
The planned initiatives include boosting visibility at night by improving lighting, especially around the main residential areas of the campus. This upgrade is expected to "enhance visibility and help mitigate safety concerns during nighttime hours," Chief Pettrey said in a statement obtained by Cleveland State University. The addition of a mobile camera trailer, complementing the two existing mobile cameras, will enhance flexibility in responding to emerging security situations or during large-scale events. A focus on fortified security measures for residential buildings, with stronger locks on doors and windows, is designed to keep unauthorized individuals at bay.
The grant offers CSU an opportunity to make a significant impact on the safety and security of its community. Even so, Chief Pettrey remains steadfast in reminding all that vigilance is key, stating via Cleveland State University, "We're all in this together, and by working as a community, we can help create a safer environment for everyone."
