Introducing Gary Wilson, Penn Valley’s new Public Safety Manager since May 2007. His background includes eleven years as a KCMO police officer and the last seventeen years he has been with MCC. His roles include Public Safety officer, Evening and Weekend Coordinator, and Safety/Facilities Department/ Community Relations/ Tenant Relations Manager. He knows how to wear a lot of hats.

What is a public safety manager and what does he do? Wilson's job is to compile crime statistics, provide training to public safety personnel, act as a liaison to local police, and conduct follow-up investigations.

Crime? Is there any on campus that we need to be aware of or worried about? Wilson reports that all crimes lately have been "crimes of opportunity" and no types of assaults have been reported.

"The crime rate here is not high compared to other areas in the city," Wilson says.

Gary Wilson

On Sept. 13, Penn Valley Public Safety sent an email to all teachers and staff reporting incidents of vehicle break-ins in the lower level of D lot. In most of these cases, valuables were in plain sight on the car seat, giving thieves easy access.

Wilson says there is a system in place to allow students access to needed information:

1) If you want to know what is happening on campus,check http://www.mcckc.edu/publicsafety, and you can contact the Public Safety Office at (816) 759-4123.

2) The Public Safety Office now participates in the new student orientations to inform incoming students from the start about safety.

3) There is a new CCURE Security system in place on campus. All exterior campus doors are set on a timer that controls when they lock and unlock.

4) You may have noticed the new blue call towers, which are part of the new CCURE system, also. Each tower has two buttons, one to ring if you need information and one to call 911. An onsite camera provides video feed to the Public Safety station, and the 911 button rings directly to a police department control center that is monitored 24 hours a day.

5) Wilson has started a newsletter, Penn Valley Patrol. Here's the Safety Tip Corner from the current issue:

"To Avoid Theft From Your Vehicle":

"1. Get into the habit of locking your vehicle every time you leave it. A criminal will always use the easiest way into your vehicle.

2. Don’t leave your car window rolled down, not even a crack. A criminal will use the window to force his way into the car; don’t give him the advantage.

3. Park in well lit areas. Criminals don’t like to be seen. Parking under or near a light will improve the view into your car.

4. Don’t leave valuables in view for the thief. Secure all valuables in your trunk. Do not put them in the glove box, as this is the first place a criminal looks."

Wilson says you should always be very aware of your surroundings, and when you can, always walk in a group. Anytime you feel uncomfortable about walking to your car, he encourages you to request an escort to your vehicle from Public Safety.

The Public Safety Office is responsible for patrolling a larger area than many people might realize, Wilson points out. The border of patrol is west on S.W. Trafficway, east on Central,north on 31st St., and south on 33rd (Linwood). It is not limited to the PV campus only.

Here are some public safety facts:

* MCC Penn Valley Public Safety Services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Public Safety Department is located in the Campus Center Building, room 101.

* In the event of an emergency, call 911 and then contact Public Safety. All emergencies should be reported to Public Safety.

* Public Safety officers conduct routine mobile and foot patrols of the campus, lend assistance to students/employees and respond to incidents.

* Public Safety is responsible for student safety awareness, crime prevention, physical security, access control, safety escort services, vehicle registration, and enforcement of campus policies, traffic regulations and investigations.

Public Safety is currently working on their email system to include students. Wilson says Public Safety's goal is to be "more visible and proactive." He wants to "provide a positive environment and have positive interactions with the students."

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Public Safety Department if you have any questions or safety concerns, urges Wilson. We can all work together to keep our campus safe.

Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College