Campus security, more than parking tickets
Upon arrival at Lee University, students are given a brief lesson in personal safety during their mandatory dorm meetings, but when do students ever get introduced to the people who are responsible for protecting said safety? Campus Security patrol around the campus day and night and are on constant watch for the benefit of every student’s well-being.
Officers are responsible for a multitude of actions while out on patrol, according to Campus Security Director Tyler Allen.
“They're doing building checks, assisting other people that flag them down, and they're out looking for and deterring any kind of crime that may be happening,” Allen said. “It depends on the number of calls that come in and it really depends from shift-to-shift of how much interaction they may have with the other people.”
Allen paints the picture of what the security department is for the campus.
“Our team is out there looking for potentials whether that is physically out on campus, through the internet, or through what we're seeing around the community,” Allen said. “Our whole job is to put up a guard rail or put up a fence – a hedge of protection if you will – around the campus.”
The work done by Director Allen is most of the behind-the-scenes action to keep the well-oiled machine running. The state of work changes daily with the state of the campus, Allen said, and “depends on what the next big thing is coming up.” In all, he keeps a busy schedule.
“From meetings here locally on campus to meetings with the TBI, to meetings with the FBI, our own local Homeland Security, to our emergency partners around town. Anything in or above or between all of those things,” Allen said. “Meetings with our administration to try to figure out what are the next steps that we're going to take are, what's the next event, what do we need to be ready for, what's social media looking like.”
Another aspect of Campus Security is the student workers. With three different positions available: office assistant, dispatch, and support assistant roles. Student worker Grace Vinson has a variety of tasks each shift.
“I will answer the phones when students call in – if they need help being transported. I radio it out to the officers and tell them,” Vinson said. “During office hours I'll sit at the front desk and help people with their needs that they come in with, whether it's parking tickets or getting their car registered. On top of that I do the social media.”
Lee University’s Campus Security has been posting on Instagram since 2022. Vinson, with the help of Officer James Reynolds, are managing the page this year. While providing comical content, they keep the information discussed relevant to safety on campus.
“The Instagram was more for informational purposes to show that we are here for Lee’s students, for the faculty, for the personnel, or even people outside of the campus. People that are looking at if Lee’s a good college or not. I believe that that's the reason why we have the social media – to show that we are here,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds elaborated on the hopeful effect of the social media page, “there's a lot of moms and dads out there that are worrying about their children day and night. And to know that someone out here cares just as much as the parent does. It means the world. So for me, We're here to protect and serve you – or LeeU, you know, Lee-you. They need to know that we are here for them.”
More than just security, this department seeks understanding that they are more than just ticket writers. Both Reynolds and Allen reiterated the misconceptions about their ticket-writing habits.
“Our main job is not writing tickets. Our main job is being there for the students and whatever it takes to make sure that everyone's safe. So, if that means writing a citation because you could potentially get your car hit by another vehicle because it's not parked where it's supposed to be, then I call that a win because that would be a way of showing that we care about your safety and about your vehicles,” Reynolds said.
This is echoed by Allen, “that's actually their least favorite thing to do. We would love to give that up if we could, but that falls on our responsibilities.”
Challenging this perception of their department, held by many students at Lee, Allen advocates for a different perspective of campus security staff.
“We want to be seen as more than just ticket writers because they do have personalities and they're good people. They love people. They want to serve and protect this community. You don't have to be scared of them. They're not going to just get you in trouble because you stopped to talk to them,” Allen said.
Doubling down on the endearing side of who they are as a department, Allen continues by speaking a word to the students.
“They are here for the students and not out to get the students. We're here for you guys and not against you guys.”
Campus Security encompasses so much more than just a badge and a golf cart, they are considering everyone on campus’ best interest in regards to their safety. This is what is deemed important to their department.
“We are providing a safe learning environment, a place where you can grow and learn, whether that be in the classroom, outside the classroom. We believe that this is a place where you should be able to come and do those things in a safe environment. To be able to grow and to learn both in terms of your education and in the Lord,” Allen said.
To stay up to date on LeeUAlerts, you can sign up by texting “LEEUALERTS” to 888777. To keep connected when in need of assistance or under emergencies, make sure to download the LiveSafe app in your app store. To reach the Campus Security office, call (423) 303-4444 or visit at 1000 Barnes St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn., 37311. Lastly, make sure to follow the Lee University Campus Security page on Instagram to keep up with important information or to just enjoy the funny content.
