Governor’s Campus Security
Task Force Hears First Public Testimony in St. Louis
JEFFERSON CITY, June 7, 2007- Gov. Matt Blunt’s
Campus Security Task Force held its first public hearing at Washington
University in St. Louis. The committee, co-chaired by Mark James,
Director of Public Safety and Dr. Robert Stein, Commissioner of Higher
Education, heard from concerned Missourians on campus safety and security.
“St. Louis is home to outstanding academic campuses,
all with faculty and administrative staff that care deeply about their
students,” Blunt said. “I believe the valued opinions
and viewpoints heard today will truly help shape the recommendations
intended to reach my desk in August improving collegiate campus safety.”
Some of the issues raised for the Task Force to consider
and debate before the final report is complete were discussed today.
The Task Force will be discussing the following thoughts among other
issues: Should all campus security officers be armed? When and how
should a campus lockdown be executed? Should students, faculty and
staff be required to wear identification? How can the mental health
profession assist in developing emergency response plans?
The next task force meeting will be on June 11th at
Metropolitan Community College's Blue River Campus in room 150 of
the Public Safety Institute. Public testimony is encouraged and will
begin at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to express their concerns should
contact Terri Durdaller at dpsinfo@dps.mo.gov
or 573-751-4819.