Further to my note to students and staff yesterday regarding the attack on a student just after midnight on Friday night, I am pleased to report that I have been advised that the police have now charged a man in relation to the incident and are speaking with two others who are believed to have been involved.
Despite an increased security presence on campus last night and warnings sent out to all students and staff on campus again yesterday, a student was walking from the Busport around 8.30pm and had her handbag stolen. Security staff were at the location within 20 seconds and the police arrived shortly after but despite scouring the area the assailant in this case was unfortunately not apprehended.
I am extremely concerned about this spate of attacks and I have met with Security and the police to discuss a number of additional initiatives that can be implemented immediately. These include engaging 6 extra security staff, bumping our security staff to 30; an increased police presence which will include a mobile police unit at the Busport; information campaigns to students and staff to ensure that everyone on campus is fully aware of personal safety including the need to not walk alone at night and the availability of Security to escort them safely to their vehicle or the Busport.
We will also meet with local Councils, TransPerth and community groups to help address the problem, as this is an issue that affects the local community, not just Curtin.
Over the next few weeks we will be establishing a Safe Pathways program that will identify a number of routes through the campus between key areas such as the library, computer labs, the Busport, car parks and student housing that will have additional lighting and be patrolled by security staff. We will be producing maps that will identify these pathways as soon as possible and they will be distributed as part of a campus-wide security awareness program.
In addition, we will be reviewing the staffing in Security so that we can maximise foot patrols and we are working to reduce the number of entry points to the campus.
These initiatives are all in addition to the current security measures already in place - and I list them below so you can be assured the University is, and always has, taken security issues very seriously.
What is already in place:
Over 200 CCTV cameras (closed circuit television) already in place
$500 000 spent on our lighting bill
$2.6m spent on operational security each year
An additional $4 m has been spent on upgrade initiatives over the past two years
24 regular security staff working patrols 24 hours
3 marked security vehicles and 3 scooters
A courtesy bus runs Mon to Thu 9am to 2am and Friday 9am to midnight
The Cardex building access system is freeing up staff for patrol so is securing buildings but also enabling better use of staff
Assistance points at several points around campus
Information campaign for students including handouts with key numbers
Security website with information
MOU with Cannington Police to exchange data and information
Improved lighting on campus and in car parks
We monitor students and staff perceptions of security through surveys and respond to the concerns
What we are doing now in response to the recent incidents:
6 extra staff on duty
Increased police presence including the mobile police unit at Busport
Top line security story on home page of website
Information campaign to students and staff
Virtual observer going into cars
Meetings planned with Councils, TransPerth and local community groups
Curtin security staff posted at the Bus Port until further notice
Extend the hours that the Campus Courtesy Bus runs on Friday nights into Saturday mornings
Using student ambassadors "peer to peer" to heighten the awareness of security on campus, as part of an extended education program
What we are planning in the next few weeks
Establishing a "safe pathways" program - safe , security staffed routes to be used at night between key locations such as the library and computer labs and Bus Port and car parks and student housing
Review of staffing with potentially further increasing foot patrols and increasing the security staff by another four people
Reducing entry points to the campus
Significant increase in campus community awareness program
In the meantime, I reiterate to all students and staff to not walk alone at night and to utilise the Curtin Courtesy Bus which is available by hailing it down around campus from 9.00 am to 2.00 am Monday to Thursday and on Friday to midnight, or by phoning Security on 4444 (internal phone) or 1300 00 4444 (external location or from a mobile) to be collected from you building.
If you have any safety concerns or observe anything suspicious, please call Curtin Security immediately on the numbers noted above. In an emergency situation please call ‘5' from an internal phone, or 1300 00 444 to reach Security who will immediately coordinate external assistance as required. In an emergency situation off campus please call 000.
Tips on personal safety and keeping safe on campus can be viewed on the Security website located at http://about.curtin.edu.au/security/
Jeanette Hacket
Vice-Chancellor