By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

According to local law enforcement officials, the security measures at Cedar Crest not only keep the community safe, but they keep the surrounding areas safe as well.

“[Cedar Crest’s] security force helps improve the quality of life,” says Lt.  Daniel Dooley of the Pequannock Police Department. “They are the first responders, so they act as a buffer before the calls come to us.”

Immediate response
Response time is just two minutes, due to strategic placement of security officers around campus. And since most officers are EMTs, they can immediately address a medical problem instead of waiting for additional medical aid.

“We strive for all security employees to become EMTs,” says Pat Mackey, daytime security supervisor at Cedar Crest. In September, of 38 security employees, 29 were EMTs. All were CPR certified.

Emergency pull cords located in the bathrooms, bedrooms, and common areas of every home quicken emergency response time. If people need help they can pull the cord, alerting the on-campus emergency dispatch center to send a trained professional immediately.

A watchful eye
Security latches outside of every apartment door are one of Erickson’s most innovative features.

When security officers make their midnight rounds, they set the latches to the “up” position. The next day when the resident opens the door, the latch will drop. If it hasn’t dropped by late morning, the day shift officers take note and check whether the residents are out of town. If so, they drop the latch; if not, they ask staff to call the resident. If no one answers, they enter the home to make sure everything is OK—or to provide help if it’s not.

Aside from security personnel making their rounds, Cedar Crest’s safety measures are virtually unnoticeable.  People who live there say they feel safe, comfortable, and carefree—as evidenced by the bustling campus activities.