Designing for Safety: Enhancing Campus Police Facilities and Security Through Strategic Planning and Innovation
Campus safety is a crucial factor in creating a secure and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Central to this mission are campus police forces, who not only protect against physical threats, but also work to foster a sense of security through their presence and preparedness. As universities evolve, so must campus police services. Becker Morgan Group has partnered with various institutions to design and renovate facilities that enhance safety and better integrate campus police into everyday campus life.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Enhancing the Perception of Safety
Visible safety measures on campus play a role in making students feel more secure. Campus police, through ID registration programs, bike and vehicle safety initiatives, training on emergency, and personal safety systems, help build this perception of safety through student engagement. Becker Morgan Group’s work at Salisbury University exemplifies this approach, where efforts to increase campus police visibility and provide a greater police presence through thoughtful station design have fostered a safer and more secure environment across the campus.
Rapid Response & Accessibility
Campus police play a critical role in ensuring quick response times during emergencies, supported by easily accessible safety stations and technology. Features such as blue light systems and university-specific safety apps provide students and staff with direct, rapid access to police assistance. For instance, Becker Morgan Group’s feasibility study for the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) revealed the need for a new 16,000 square-foot police facility to enhance rapid response efforts by addressing space inadequacies and incorporating modern technology systems.
In addition to emergency response, campus police are essential for managing crowd control at university events, including sporting and musical events and large community gatherings. Effective crowd control requires seamless coordination between campus police and external agencies, such as emergency medical services (EMS), local police, and fire departments. This collaboration ensures the safe movement of large crowds, by controlling entrances and exits, monitoring traffic flow, and managing potential safety hazards. Campus police often work with EMS to set up designated medical stations to be ready to respond to health emergencies in densely populated crowds. At the same time, local police may be involved in securing the perimeter and managing traffic, while fire departments stand ready to handle fire hazards or other emergencies. Becker Morgan Group is currently working with Winston-Salem State University (WWSU) to renovate their police facility, ensuring the department is equipped to handle the school’s growing needs, all while improving response coordination for on-campus and external events.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Adapting to New Threats
Campus police are now tasked with managing a broader range of threats, including cybercrime, mental health crises, and evolving safety concerns, in addition to traditional crime prevention. As new challenges arise, the role of campus police continues to evolve to address these multifaceted demands. For example, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is addressing these evolving needs with a renovation and addition project that reallocates 11,000 square feet of an existing building for the Campus Police Department. This reallocation provides dedicated space for specialized functions, such as cybercrime investigation units, mental health intervention programs, and training facilities to equip officers with the skills and resources needed to respond to modern safety challenges. By incorporating advanced technology, such as secure communication systems and surveillance tools, and creating spaces for collaboration with external agencies, this project ensures the department can effectively address both current and future operational and technological requirements. As new challenges emerge, we focus on designing flexible spaces that can adapt to evolving mission requirements and future needs
Design & Technology Integration
Safety is increasingly integrated into campus design, with innovations such as smart locks, enhanced lighting, and AI-driven surveillance systems. Smart locks provide realtime access control to buildings and restricted areas, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter, with the flexibility to quickly adjust access privileges as needed. Enhanced lighting and cameras, strategically placed in high-traffic areas, parking lots, and pathways, not only deters potential threats but also increases visibility during evening hours, improving the overall sense of safety for students and staff. AI-driven surveillance systems use sophisticated algorithms to monitor large areas in realtime, flagging suspicious behavior, changes in pedestrian flow and alerting campus security teams to potential risks before they escalate.
Becker Morgan Group’s experience with the UNCW feasibility study highlights the importance of incorporating new technology to support security operations, from crime tracking and Clery reporting, to the deployment of advanced monitoring systems that safeguard both physical and digital spaces.
PUBLIC SAFETY
While maintaining safety is the primary goal, ensuring that security systems do not feel overly intrusive is also essential. A sense of community trust can be built through design choices that promote safety without creating a fortress-like atmosphere. Designing open, secure spaces, such as lobbies that facilitate safe interactions, can foster a positive relationship between campus police and the university community. Becker Morgan Group’s designs focus on creating environments where safety measures are seamlessly integrated into the campus experience, ensuring students and staff feel both protected and welcome. Planning walking paths, landscaping, and visual barriers that follow the principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) add further safety concepts to campus plans.
Expertise Beyond Campus Police
In addition to the campus police facilities, Becker Morgan Group has a strong track record in designing advanced law enforcement facilities. We have partnered with several large police departments to create functional, secure, and adaptable spaces that address both current and future operational needs. Our design solutions for the FBI, Delaware State Police, and Raleigh Police Department showcase our ability to incorporate critical elements such as evidence processing/storage, public interaction spaces, and specialized areas like tactical teams, forensics, cyber analysis, traffic reconstruction, major crimes, special task forces, K9 kennels, and vehicle maintenance. Our comprehensive approach ensures that these facilities not only improve operational efficiency and security but are also adaptable to future growth.
Through strategic planning, technology integration, and design enhancements, Becker Morgan Group has been instrumental in helping universities adapt to these changes, ensuring that campuses remain safe, accessible, and welcoming to all.
