To offer 24/7 availability and ensure ID-related issues are resolved promptly, the ID Center is now integrated into the Department of Public Safety, according to Point Park Chief of Police Jeffrey Besong.
The change reduces the risk of unauthorized access and streamlines the ID process, making updates and fixing problems more efficient, he said.
“This move enhances campus security by providing better access control and monitoring,” Besong said.
The ID Center’s transition from the Physical Plant Department to the Public Safety Department allows for real-time adjustments to access levels. Rather than sending an officer in person when a student calls public safety, they can unlock any ID-accessible door from dispatch remotely.
“[It] provides a much more immediate response to any security or access concerns,” Besong said.
In addition, turnstiles, like the ones found in Lawrence Hall and West Penn last semester, were added to the University Center’s entrance and Student Center entrances.
Robert Stancampiano, a librarian at the university, says the new turnstiles come with an added responsibility.
“If we have deliveries or mail we have to let that person in. Also, if someone forgets their ID we have to help that student,” Stancampiano said. “There’s also the issue of students piggybacking, and then an alarm will sound in the library.”
Stancampiano said, like anything new, it’s an adjustment, with the turnstiles bringing both distracting noise – as the machines beep whenever someone scans their ID – and added security.
“We’ve had people come in off the street in the past piggybacking off of students, so we’ll probably see less of that or at least they won’t be able to fully enter the library,” Stancampiano said.
Besong said that these changes will significantly enhance public safety’s ability to secure the buildings.
“The primary purpose of installing turnstiles is to prevent unauthorized access, such as piggybacking, and to ensure the safety of our campus community,” Besong said.
First-year acting major Taylor Atwara said that, in her first few weeks on campus, she has had to call public safety due to concerns caused by street harassment.
“I’m glad that turnstiles were added to the library, however, I noticed that they’ve been left open and I notice this in a lot of places,” Atwara said. “I feel safe when they are closed, but they also break in Lawrence Hall sometimes; my own home.”
According to Police Lieutenant Matthew Mays, the turnstiles are owned by a third-party company.
The turnstiles in the library are now shut and functioning properly.
“If someone follows you off the street [into a campus building] and the turnstiles are broken, there’s not much good they can do,” Atwara said.
Julia Werner, a first-year acting major, said that, overall, she feels safe on campus due to security measures like turnstiles, ID scanners and the Metis emergency help systems that call police with the touch of a button around campus.
“I have not personally experienced piggybacking and I definitely feel safe when I’m inside campus buildings or on campus property like Village Park,” Werner said.
Werner said that she feels safe when there is a visible presence of security officers on campus, especially at night.
“You pretty much always see police around or have access to the emergency call buttons around campus,” Werner said.
“As we all know, without a Point Park ID card and the correct access levels, no one could navigate our campus or access specific areas. For [security] reasons, the ID Center was moved back under Public Safety,” Besong said.
“The police department’s goal is to continue providing a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff,” Besong said
According to their page on the university’s website, The Point Park University Police Department works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide a safe, secure living and learning environment for the university community.
University Police can be reached by dialing 2222 on any campus phone, or 412-392-3960 on any other phone. The university police department is located on the third floor of Frontier Hall.
