Email notifications and automated text messages are the way California Baptist University’s Office of Public Safety can alert students, staff and faculty of incidents that may affect the campus.
Recently, due to a few isolated incidents on CBU’s campus and in the neighboring Riverside community, public safety has reiterated its hope that students continue to take precautionary measures toward security.
Jim Walters, director of Public Safety, said that although these recent events do not suggest the university is being targeted in any way, the Office of Public Safety continues to take necessary precautions.
An advisement was emailed Jan. 11 notifying the campus community of a stolen vehicle that was parked and locked in Lot 7 behind Simmons Hall.
Walters said that the incident is believed to have happened during the day, but this type of crime can happen any time.
The car, completely intact, was recovered blocks away. No forcible entry was used to break in the vehicle.
Another notification issued Feb. 2 indicated another vehicle theft in the Lancer Arms parking area. The vehicle was taken around 10 p.m., and took less than two minutes.
The second car has not been found and the incident is still being investigated.
Between two and four cars are stolen off the CBU campus each year.
“So we are taking this seriously, but not panicking,” Walters said. “We are trying to become more adept at notifying the campus of things that are even of interest, not necessarily threatening, but of interest so that they can understand we are part of a bigger community.”
Following the recent shootout between an ex-Los Angeles police officer and Riverside police officers on Magnolia and Arlington avenues, CBU public safety continues to monitor the surrounding neighborhood and inform the CBU community if any issues arise.
If an event ever arose where the university needed to be warned of an emergency, the Office of Public Safety has text-based, automated calling, email and network computer pop-up notification systems in place to reach the campus.
Later this month, the university will also be testing its outdoor siren.
Because of the recent events that have taken place on and around the campus, students are also making a few changes to ensure better individual safety.
Lyndsey Jackson, junior healthcare administration major, said, “I also lock my car, take all valuables with me, and if possible, always walk with someone if I am on campus at night.”
Walters reassured people that campuses like California Baptist University remain safe places for its constituents.
