Mike Olson, 360 Security Services’ Co-Founder/CEO, has been passionate about safety and security for the last 37 years, making a difference in communities, working in a variety of private sector, federal/local law enforcement, and volunteer positions during this period. This is why on September 6, 2024, in his role as a board member and director for Campus Safety Coalition, a 501c(3) non-profit, he was excited to join his colleagues and participate in the grand opening of the new University of Minnesota Public Safety Department’s “Off-Campus Safety Center” in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis, located adjacent to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.
Campus Safety Coalition ( https://campussafetycoalition.org) was formed a little over two years ago by a dedicated group of University of Minnesota alumni, parents, faculty, students and others who became frustrated by a lack of effective action to address and coalesce around the escalating pattern of violent crime occurring around the campus, placing all community stakeholders at risk. At that time, there was an anti-police sentiment and a divided community on and off campus regarding the risk and danger facing everyone who lives, works, or attends school on and around the University of Minnesota. For one poignant reference, one only needs to revisit one of the decisive events that triggered many in to action, by reading the following article by David Zimmer of the American Experiment (June 6, 2022): https://www.americanexperiment.org/shoot-out-on-fraternity-row/.
Campus Safety Coalition has since grown with members committed to getting involved or even just donating money so that the work of placing a bright spotlight on safety and security continues to burn brightly. Efforts have included ensuring that those responsible for safety and security of their communities are held accountable to demonstrable action with results that move towards an intolerance for bad or criminal behavior that puts others at risk. Two years ago, the Campus Safety Coalition observed and listened to elected leaders, and other key officials point fingers at each other and assign blame as to who was truly responsible for the ‘”Swiss cheese” jurisdiction of Clery-Act defined boundaries of a major urban university and the streets of a major city still reeling from the fallout and extreme narratives from 2020. One unwavering partner that remained committed throughout and despite many obstacles were the men and women of the University of Minnesota Public Safety Department (UMPD), the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and many other partner law enforcement entities.
Campus Safety Coalition (CSC) has remained a constant advocate and supporter to all University of Minnesota area stakeholders on and off campus during its mission to create safer university and college campuses throughout the United States for ALL stakeholders, including students, employees, and the surrounding community. It began with a billboard campaign of support for area law enforcement and continued with active participation and advocacy during safety walks, university and city safety meetings, area business safety initiatives and social media campaigns. Since 2022, CSC has witnessed political and university leaders increasingly coming together to support the work of law enforcement in their efforts to make the community safer. Much work remains, and the entire community needs to continue to take ownership in holding those engaged in bad behavior and criminal activity accountable, including effective prosecution when mitigation and prevention does not work.
However, as these efforts continue, two (2) recent initiatives have occurred with the full support of the University of Minnesota and clearly with support from the Minneapolis Police Department and Mayor’s office. One is the expansion and agreement to authorize University of Minnesota Police Department to patrol a traditionally non-university (aka: Clery Boundaries) jurisdiction in an approximate on-mile stretch of area directly adjacent the University of Minnesota campus and the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis. The second, is the opening of the new “UMPD Off-Campus Safety Center” at 315 14th Ave., SE, Minneapolis, MN- in the heart of Dinkytown. Dinkytown is technically in the jurisdiction of the City of Minneapolis. But it has been and continues to be a significant area of businesses, residences, and entertainment not only for University of Minnesota and faculty but for non-U of MN citizens of Minneapolis, as well as weekly visitors to major sporting and other cultural events on and around campus. Sadly, it has also been an epicenter for frequent but random criminal activity to include violence against students, police, and other visitors.
As stated, the work is not done, and continuous improvement is needed to maintain a truly safe culture and community, but so much has been accomplished by focusing all community stakeholders on a common desire – safety & security. More can be found on the grand opening of the off-campus safety center at the following news link: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/new-safety-center-opens-in-dinkytown-near-u-of-m-campus/89-5b8ce4b3-862b-49c3-b1ee-acfd74ed6cd5. The Campus Safety Coalition was very excited and proud to donate $10,000 to the UMPD and its Off-Campus Safety Center to further its efforts in this journey.
Safety and security are truly everyone’s responsibility inside and outside of organizations. We all want to live and work in peace and harmony, but we need to stay united in our efforts to maintain and improve safe cultures. Please consider visiting the Campus Safety Coalition website and donating towards its mission: https://campussafetycoalition.org.
コメント