CP-2 CP-2 CP-2 CP-1 R-1
RP-3 105TH ST
T S
R-1 CP-O R
E CP-2 CP-O
S F R-1 O CP-3 N S
O T
E C R T
S S
T RILEY Y S CP-2 CP-O E
T CP-2 L
E
K CP-2 V
A R
T CP-1 CP-O
A
F
S
B
RP-3 L Y
A T
C R
T A
E M
CP-2 M CP-2
M 106TH ST CP-1 E T CP-O C A CP-2 L F D R-1 FR MM EE TT CC AA LL FF VV II EE WW R O N CP-O N TAGE RD E L
CP-2 T
G S F
A L R-1 D T A Y N
RP-3 C
O CP-2 O T
L CP-O R E F MM EE TT CC AA LL FF 11 00 55 F M
F
CP-O L CP-2 A C
R-3 CP-O CP-2 T C-2 CP-O E
107TH ST M 107TH ST
C-2
CP-2 MM EE TT CC AA LL FF "" 11 00 77 "" T S
Y
CP-2 R-1 E II NN DD II AA NN CC RR EE EE KK VV II LL LL AA GG EE L
K
R
1 A 08 RP-3 435 T B ¨¦§ H ST
CP-O 435 CP-O
¨¦§ 1
0
8
T
H T E 109RTH ST CP-O WW II LL LL II AA MM SS -- LL II GG HH TT OO NN CP-O
E
V
A ST L
L R E E S N
W O 1 O C 1
L 0 Revised Preliminary Plan 2010-17 T CP-O H REC REC S CP-2 M-1 T 1 inch = 400 feet Wright Career College D R U R Y I N N CP-2 D R U R Y I N N PDP2010-17 Wright Career College 10700 Metcalf Avenue
DEV2010-41 – WRIGHT CAREER COLLEGE – 10700 METCALF AVENUE
CITY OF OVERLAND PARK DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Intra-City Communication
TO: Jason Beske
Cc: Sgt. Larry Cohen
FROM: Michael Betten, CPP
RE: Wright Business School
This is my response upon reviewing the crime and security at the Wright Business School currently located at 10975 El Monte. The school has applied for a building permit desiring to relocate to the vacant lot of the former Dodge dealership at 107th and Metcalf.
Crime Analysis Police incidents at Wright were compared to similar schools within the City limits of Overland Park for a 3 year period (2008-2010):
Baker University – 8001 College Blvd #100, #220 Cleveland Chiropractic College – 10850 Lowell Ave Emporia State University – 8400 W 110 St #150 Kansas University: Edwards Campus – 12520, 12600, 12610 Quivira National American University – 10310 Mastin Ottawa University – 4370 W 109 St #200 Prior to reviewing the data it should be understood these incidents were “called” into the police department. They may not represent the actual number of criminal incidents that have occurred over the specified time period. Kenneth Trump and Barry Hylton write in their article “Hard lessons in school security:”
This national problem of non-reporting and underreporting of school-based crimes prevents educators, law enforcement officers, security specialists, and others from identifying the true extent of crimes…
After reviewing incidents from the schools, there are some areas of concern at the Wright Business School. Over the three year period, disturbance calls are by far more frequent than at any of the other schools. Wright recorded 9 disturbance reports with 2 batteries resulting in 2 arrests. The other schools combined reported 1 domestic issue, 1 aggravated assault, 1 criminal threat and 2 harassing phone calls. Other reports made at the site appear to be minor and infrequent. Data revealed for the last three years Wright Business School reported: Auto burglaries: 1 Auto theft: 1 Criminal damage to property: 1 Thefts: 3 Drugs: 1 Alarms: 41
Data from Johnson County Community College (JCCC) was reviewed which revealed (2007-2009): (JCCC is the 3rd largest educational institution in the state of Kansas.2010 data was not available) Robbery: 1 Assaults: 18 Auto Theft: 5 Non-forcible sex offense: 1 Hate Crimes: 3 Drug Offenses: 5 Burglaries: 41
One area of concern was the number of false alarms generated by Wright. The school has paid all their fines with the exception of one recent alarm. The school owes $50 for the police department’s response to an alarm. The alarm coordinator indicates Wright has paid $4,085 in false alarm fees.
Security
Policy: Prior to reviewing or making suggestions regarding physical security measures it is important to realize the greatest threats to the students and staff arises from within by other students. (USDOJ. 2010) Reports from the school substantiate this fact. Regardless of any security system’s sophistication it is only as good as the people that interact with the organization. Reviewing policies and procedures are an important step in developing a sound security strategy for any organization. Reviewing Wright’s “Student’s Code of Conduct” from the web site it states:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to learning. Conduct violations will result in suspension or termination. When a student is suspended, the suspension will be for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive school days and not more than ten (10) consecutive days. A suspension report will be generated by the school Administration with a copy for the student and a copy for the student file.
Causes for suspension or termination include, but are not limited to, insubordination to staff members, cheating, unruly behavior, the use of alcoholic beverages on campus or possession of the same, stealing, and malicious or willful destruction of school or student property. The sale, use, or possession of prohibited drugs or substances on the campus will be grounds for permanent expulsion from the school.
All students applying for re-entry following suspension/termination will be counseled by the school Administration and will be re-admitted at the sole discretion of the school Administration.
An important aspect of the security strategy for Wright should be to enforce the student code of conduct. One aspect which should be clarified is whether an expulsion would be enforced for any criminal behavior committed off the campus. As the code of conduct reads now it appears only those incidents “on campus” would trigger disciplinary action. Lighting: If the organization uses the existing light fixtures from the previous owner, lighting should be more than sufficient. The lamps were metal halide and adequately spaced providing good visibility and color.
Parking lots: Timothy Crowe (1990) writes about problems of parking lots at educational institutions:
“Parking lots are major problem areas…lots are scenes of student victimization and illegal use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Vehicles are vulnerable to theft, larcenies and vandalism. Some environmental causes of parking problems include: Student parking lots often are placed on the outermost part of the campus, almost as an afterthought. Many student parking lots also have multiple entrances and exits…
It would be preferred if the two lots on the east and west side were separated and designated for specific uses. Permitting vehicles to enter and move back and forth between the lots increases the potential for vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and makes it difficult to identify strangers. One entrance for each lot with signage designating its purpose would be preferred. For example, the west lot should be title “Student/Visitor Parking.” The other entrance could be designated at Staff/Faculty.
Signage: Signage is important for several reasons. The American Society of Industrial Security (2004) states:
Without the courtesy of directions or instructions, visitors who are not familiar with the facility tend to wander through the property. They cause traffic problems and frequently enter areas where they should not go. Properly configured and placed signs are highly effective in communicating with vehicle drivers. (14-I-2)
Exits and direction signs should be frequent and clearly visible. (19-VIII-32)
The most important purpose of signage should state what accepted behavior on school property is. Properly posted signage can aid the police department if enforcement is necessary. (ASIS. 2009)
Restrooms: These are often sources of problems due to their isolation and doors placed on the entrance. Crowe (1990) explains some common problems with restrooms:
Restrooms generally are placed at the end of hallway or in isolated locations. The location of restrooms is generally “down the hall” and away from the building’s natural circulation plan. This presents a perception of distance and isolation which says this area is “unsafe.” Double door systems for student restrooms create the perception and reality of isolation by design.
Ideally restrooms should be built with the same design as those at the Palazzo Theaters or Incredi-bowl on 151st. These restrooms have no doors permitting patrons unrestricted access. Privacy is still permitted, yet individuals are not left with the feeling they are isolated and out of contact from the rest of the individuals in the area. Doors permit malfeasants to recognize when someone is entering, inhibit sound transmission and permit unacceptable behavior. The perception exist that the less private the restroom is, the fewer problems occur.
References
American Society of Industrial Security International. (ASIS). (2009). Protection of Assets Manual: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. (Chapter 1, part IV). Alexandria, VA: Author
American Society of Industrial Security International. (ASIS). (2004). Protection of Assets Manual: Physical Security Planning. (Chapter 19). Alexandria, VA: Author
Crowe, Timothy. (1990. Fall). Designing safer schools. School Security, 9-13
Herald-mail.com. (2006. October 11). “Building design, attitude can affect school security.” Retrieved from: http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=149214&format=html
Hylton, Barry and Trump, Kenneth. (unknown).
Szachnowicz, Alex. (2003. September 22). “Balancing Safety & Security in the School Environmnent”. Retrieved on August 8, 2007 from: http://www.fpemag.com/archives/article.asp?issue_id=17&i=34
Trump, Kenneth (2007. April). Latest school of thought. Security Management
U.S. Department of Justice. (2010. April). Campus Attacks: Targeted Violence Affecting Institutions of Higher Education. Washington D.C.: Author