Q&A with Protection of Minors specialist Stephanie Vogelsang
Stephanie Vogelsang took on a new role this summer as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Protection of Minors Compliance Specialist. That’s a big job, and it’s the first time the Illinois campus has had a dedicated staff member in that role. The university’s Protection of Minors policy and implementation procedures are designed to ensure that people under the age of 18 are safe when they come to campus for planned events, programs and activities. Anyone involved in a campus program which caters to minors is required to undergo a background check, and other plans must be made to ensure [...]
UIPD using evidence-based concept to battle bike thefts
URBANA, Ill. — Theft is the most common crime on just about any college campus, but now the University of Illinois Police Department is employing an evidence-based strategy to alleviate the persistent issue. Thousands of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students, faculty and staff use bicycles daily as an efficient and sustainable means of getting around. So when those bikes go missing, it is a huge disruption in the lives of people who rely on bicycles as their primary method of transportation. Although security cameras, better bike racks, and registration have served as deterrents, deficient locking equipment used by campus [...]
Chat with Chief Stone: Summer safety
The University of Illinois Police Department is here to keep you safe, and it provides a number of different services that can help you while you are on campus. This month, we’re speaking with Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Craig Stone about how to stay safe if you are living near campus during the summer. What should I expect on campus during the summer? The campus area is beautiful during the summer months, and there is a lot to do in Champaign-Urbana. However, there are far fewer people in the campus area. Some restaurants and other [...]
Security guards in gray provide highly-visible crime deterrent
As students hit the libraries overnight to study for finals, they might notice some familiar faces in new uniforms providing another layer of campus security. Security guards from the Division of Public Safety are a visible deterrent to crime inside and outside of campus facilities like libraries, Campus Recreation buildings, residence halls and the Illini Union. Now, they will be patrolling campus in new gray uniforms designed to distinguish them from campus police officers and to be as visible as possible. Security Coordinator Ryan Johnson said that a uniformed security presence lowers crime in the areas where they are visible, [...]
Two new UIPD officers sworn in
The University of Illinois Police Department is welcoming two new police officers who graduated from the police academy last week and were sworn in this week. Officers Malik Harrison and Nina Thigpen graduated on Thursday from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. On Monday, they began the field training process, during which they will be paired with training officers who will spend several months helping them to further refine their skills and abilities. Officer Harrison studied Kinesiology and Sports Studies until 2017 at Eastern Illinois University. He previously was a correctional officer with the Coles County Sheriff’s Department. Officer [...]