York President and Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri recently met with Toronto Police Services to discuss improving security on campus after the March 6 Student Centre shooting.
The meeting, which took place on March 18, was closed to the public. A full debrief of the incident was conducted, and recommendations were proposed.
Shoukri and police agreed that for the remainder of the academic term, York would provide enhanced security patrols in “key public areas in and around the central core of Keele campus” during evening and night hours.
“Given the nature of the recent occurrence in the Student Centre, the enhanced patrols will focus on prime public locations on campus,” says Rob Castle, senior executive officer for the vp finance and administration.
“Of course, locations of the patrols can be adjusted if there is a need to do so, as the enhanced patrols will occur during evening and night hours.”
Patrols will be done by both Toronto Police and York Security officers. Only the Keele campus will see an increase in security presence.
Shoukri and Toronto Police also resolved to strengthen their ongoing relationship and the neighbourhood community response team.
Additionally, “An expanded campaign will encourage students, staff, and faculty to download the [YorkU Mobile Safety App], which will be a key element in emergency communications,” says Joanne Rider of York media.
With over 11,000 downloads by users for the app, a new push notification function has been added, allowing the university to have direct communication in urgent situations with York community members.
Castle says a “Campus Alert” feature has been added, which allows the university to communicate on-going programs and information to users.
“The voice over function was improved to ensure more accurate voice responses when a user presses specific icons,” he adds.
Two students were injured in the March 6 incident, which sparked this review of security measures on campus, and police arrested a suspect several days later.
Hamid Adem
News Editor
