[Vision2020] UI Safer With Moscow Police

[Debbie Gray]

And of course one always knows ahead of time whether an elevator alarm is indeed an emergency or just a false alarm; whether a noise complaint is just a loud stereo or a parking lot fight; whether a parking problem has also resulted in damage to a vehicle that would require a police report or if it's some enraged a-hole with a baseball bat and a hate for imported cars, etc. Police officers don't have the luxury of assuming an event is a routine/no big deal... and they deal with those kinds of problems within city limits all the time, i don't see anyone clamoring to replace them with a herd of mall cops.

And it should be obvious that the need for police presence in relation to the UI student population doesn't end at the campus border. The majority of police calls during the school year are related to students living on OR off campus. A campus security unit with the authority to only 'observe and report' those activities on-campus would be of no assistance to help with the issues related to students living off-campus.  And who do you think will pick up the bill for that? Instead of the UI contributing a fair share to the city police budget that is somewhat proportionate to the huge impact the student presence has on this community, that price tag would be passed on to Moscow taxpayers. And yes I realize the UI is also a government/tax supported entity but they are exempt from Moscow property tax and thus contribute nothing to the city tax receipts Sure it will save the UI some $$ but this is not the place to trim the budget (while at the same time
 insisting 'it's not about the budget!'). Sign up for a ride-along with any of the MPD officers, especially on a Friday or Saturday night and see what really goes on, not just by reading a sanitized version of the police log. It's an eye-opener for sure!  

This article is a fine example of exactly what a 'security firm' with no authority, little training or skills and no accountability will do when a serious crime happens.. and certainly some students would figure that out in a heartbeat... http://tinyurl.com/teen-girl-beaten


Debbie Gray


--- On Sat, 4/17/10, Glenn Schwaller <vpschwaller at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Glenn Schwaller <vpschwaller at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] UI Safer With Moscow Police
To: "vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010, 2:04 PM

Perhaps it may be of value to peruse the last several years of campus
police calls and determine how many were of "police" necessity
(holdups at the SUB for example).  I suspect a vast majority (suspect
- I have not gone into the police logs yet) are of the nature of
gun-checks, alarm bell ringing in the elevators, traffic control,
parking problems, noise complaints, all "minor" issues that could be
handled at less expense by a competent security contractor.  Those
issues requiring police presence could be contracted on an 'as needed'
basis.  I suspect given the low frequency of violent crime on campus
(drunken students firing at passing cars) risk would be minimal
(here's a can of worms opening up...) and for those at-risk situations
MDP response would be (could be?  should be?) quick.

GS

On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 7:41 AM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
> Courtesy of today's (April 16, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with thanks
> to Chuck Bond of Moscow.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> UI safer with Moscow police
>
> In regard to the University of Idaho's upcoming decision to use either a
> security contractor or the Moscow Police Department for law enforcement at
> the university, may I make a point?
>
> Security contractors are to observe and report, which the public can and
> does do at no charge to the university or the public. They do not have the
> authority to arrest or even to intervene, as was so well demonstrated by
> the lack of effectiveness in the Seattle incident where a young lady was
> beaten to the point of hospitalization in full view of numerous security
> personnel and cameras.
>
> If things go wrong, be it a noise disturbance or the unthinkable shooting
> by a gunman, who would you want to be the first on the scene? If money is
> the primary determining factor, there are plenty of places to start
> cutting money other than the security of the UI. I would start at the top.
>
> Chuck Bond, Moscow
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Thanks, Chuck.
>
> Privatized rent-a-cops may save the university a couple bucks, but look
> across the state line at WSU and the costs related to such an
> ill-conceived venture.
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
> and the Realist adjusts his sails."
>
> - Unknown
>
>
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