Georgia College & State University thankful for recent safety upgrades in wake of school shootings, threats

The university has invested $856,000 toward upgrading campus technology over the next three years.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In the wake of recent shootings and harmful threats on school campuses across the country, both students and officials at Georgia College & State University (GCSU) say they’re thankful for enhanced public safety this semester.

The university has invested $856,000 toward upgrading campus technology over the next three years.

“Being at a school where they prioritize safety really brings comfort to not only myself but to my family and fellow classmates,” said Paige Sandidge, a sophomore at GCSU.

Wes Hardin, the Chief of Police at GCSU, says the upgrades not only includes purchasing new equipment but shoring up existing equipment as well. The university upgraded, repaired and replaced all 68 of its campus blue light call boxes, which connect students with dispatchers in emergencies.

“We didn’t go out and just get things because it was something shiny and new,” Hardin said. “The things that we were doing really made sense for our campus and our community to make sure that we stuck with our strategic plan, our mission statement, and our goals and what the university stands for.”

The university is also working to double the number of security cameras, with roughly 900 set to be distributed around campus.

This semester marks the debut of GCSU’S new Genetec security platform, led by Physical Security Systems Administrator Eric Griffeth. Griffeth says the platform integrates cameras, call boxes, panic buttons and intrusion alarms all into one centralized monitoring location.

“It makes it much easier for public safety to monitor the campus if anything happens,” Griffeth said. “And it makes it easier for them to respond. It makes for a quicker response time.”

Officials say this helps law enforcement during extreme events such as active threats, as well as less intense day-to-day operations like investigating car scrapes. Students say the security enhancements make their lives easier as well.

“Being able to see all of the cameras and the blue light towers, it just really makes me feel like I’m in a safe environment where I’m able to enjoy my time at school and not have to worry about safety,” Sandidge said.