University of Missouri beefs up security cameras, citing input from students
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The University of Missouri has expanded its network of security cameras after hearing from students, an MU spokesman said Thursday.
University spokesman Christian Basi said the school has been receiving feedback from students related to security over the last 12 months.
"Some of it was conversations directly with the police department, other times it was with administrators," Basi said. "This was through informal discussions and we're willing to take any feedback we get at any point in time to look at where we need to improve."
Basi declined to say how many cameras were installed on the north side of campus, the locations or cameras and how many were upgraded, citing security concerns. He said some of the cameras are installed at Stankowski Field.
"This area was an area that we wanted to increase our resources as well," Basi said. "Safety is our number one very top priority and these were resources that we felt were necessary."
He said the cameras on the north edge of campus cost about $12,450 to buy and install.
Basi did not say how the security camera feeds will be monitored, but said the cameras "will be used in many different scenarios."
Basi said some of the concerns focused on the quality of surveillance camera images. MU upgraded some of its cameras in response, he said.
Basi said with new technology available, the cameras are able to give the university "much clearer images of individuals and hopefully will lead to a prevention of crime."
He said students with concerns or security input are always welcome to contact the university police chief or university administrators.
An MU student was carjacked at gunpoint at the Hitt Street garage on April 25. The student was not injured but security cameras captured images of two people wanted for questioning. MU police then distributed those images to the public.
In 2020, the University of Missouri Police Department reported three non-fatal firearm related crimes.
According to the University of Missouri Police Department, five violent crimes have been documents on campus in 2021. In 2020, there were eight violent crimes and in 2019 there were seven violent crimes, according to MUPD.
