Photo by Kanji Takeno

5 questions for ...
Det. Cpl. George Morgan Jr.

TU Police Department teams with faculty, staff and students for a safer campus

Nine members of the campus community are working with the university's police department to share information, raise safety-specific concerns and increase awareness as part of ongoing crime-prevention efforts.

What is the Police Community Relations Council, and why was it formed?

It’s an advisory group composed of seven faculty/staff members and two students that meets monthly at various locations around the campus. The idea was that the representatives could raise issues of concern to faculty, staff and students, and I could explain what the police are doing to assure their safety on campus. We count on the members to take this information back to their departments and residence halls and, when necessary, to communicate with the President’s Advisory Council.  

Who are the members?

The council includes Charles Briddell, Housing and Residence Life; Nance Reed, Athletics; Susan Turnbaugh, TUSC; Kipp Sutphen, College of Education; Sherry McKendry, Office of Human Resources; William Reuling, Office of the Provost; Christian Miele, Greek Life Coordinator; Amy Boettinger, University Residence Government; and Andrew Ondish, Student Government Association. As the TUPD’s outreach officer, I’m the police liaison. One of the council members will eventually act as a facilitator.

What safety-related issues have been addressed recently?

Thefts are always an issue, particularly credit-card thefts. And if people feel unsafe in a particular part of the campus, they’ll bring that up. Someone recently recommended a sidewalk to connect the new University Child Care Center to the Towson Center. It’s my job to make council members aware of recent cases and crime trends and what the police are doing about them. And of course I relay their concerns to my department.

Has the council helped the TUPD?

I think it’s a two-way benefit: The members are really involved and concerned—their input has enabled us to identify and act on some public-safety issues. They bring information to the police, then share the information we provide. The communication helps the entire campus community.    

When will the Police Community Relations Council meet again?

We’ll meet on Thursday, April 26, at 1 p.m. in Hawkins Hall, room 409.  All Police Community Relations Council meetings are open to the public, and we welcome your views.

To learn more about TU’s public-safety initiatives, view the campus safety video.

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