2008 Woodie Awards
New Security Guards Now in Dorms
Jordan O'Donnell
Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Campus Briefs
- Page 1 of 1
Even with tough budget cuts made by the state government, William Paterson University continues to push for higher standards of safety on campus.
On Oct. 1, WPU replaced existing Allied Security Company for Copstat Security Inc. in Leonia.
"We want to provide students with a safe community that's not too intrusive," said Timothy Fanning, vice president of administration and financing. "The university bids these things out, and the duration of the Allied contract expired."
Fanning said that the university could have extended the Allied Security contract, but began to solicit proposals from other companies instead.
Fanning would not comment on rumors about Allied employee's not fulfilling all of their obligations.
"Expectations are for the new company to be better trained and better supervised guards," he said.
Jim Brown, manager of the WPU account for Copstat, said that ongoing training for employees, networks of resources and job fairs are methods for recruiting guards. Potential employees can also walk in and apply.
John McCollum, 42, is a 15-year veteran in the security industry. He said there are several places to train, including weapon training sites for other Copstat service locations.
"We also go to banks, job sites, business buildings and even high schools," said the security guard.
As far as the WPU site is concerned, McCollum said the job typically requires you to be alert.
An average shift for McCollum and Eliecer Blaseacia, another security guard, begins at 12 a.m. and ends at 8 a.m., when student desk assistants take over. An on-site supervisor drives around the campus to check on guards and relieve them if they need a break.
Blaseacia, 30, works at the Pioneer Hall desk and said that even though he's only been working security for four weeks, it is his responsibility to keep the place secure. Like McCollum, Blaseacia understands the key to doing his job well is anticipating problems before they happen.
"If I think something is not right, I will call my supervisor or the campus police," said the Union City resident.
Blasecia is also a truck driver, but wishes to pass his Passenger Endorsement license test to become a city bus driver. During early morning hours, when very few students need to swipe their ID cards, Blasecia studies his notes for the test.
According to Fanning, the security contract bid is being contested by another undisclosed company, so it is possible that in coming months there could be an entirely different company handling security in the dorms. For now though, Copstat Security Inc. and guards like McCollum and Blaseacia will be on the job.
On Oct. 1, WPU replaced existing Allied Security Company for Copstat Security Inc. in Leonia.
"We want to provide students with a safe community that's not too intrusive," said Timothy Fanning, vice president of administration and financing. "The university bids these things out, and the duration of the Allied contract expired."
Fanning said that the university could have extended the Allied Security contract, but began to solicit proposals from other companies instead.
Fanning would not comment on rumors about Allied employee's not fulfilling all of their obligations.
"Expectations are for the new company to be better trained and better supervised guards," he said.
Jim Brown, manager of the WPU account for Copstat, said that ongoing training for employees, networks of resources and job fairs are methods for recruiting guards. Potential employees can also walk in and apply.
John McCollum, 42, is a 15-year veteran in the security industry. He said there are several places to train, including weapon training sites for other Copstat service locations.
"We also go to banks, job sites, business buildings and even high schools," said the security guard.
As far as the WPU site is concerned, McCollum said the job typically requires you to be alert.
An average shift for McCollum and Eliecer Blaseacia, another security guard, begins at 12 a.m. and ends at 8 a.m., when student desk assistants take over. An on-site supervisor drives around the campus to check on guards and relieve them if they need a break.
Blaseacia, 30, works at the Pioneer Hall desk and said that even though he's only been working security for four weeks, it is his responsibility to keep the place secure. Like McCollum, Blaseacia understands the key to doing his job well is anticipating problems before they happen.
"If I think something is not right, I will call my supervisor or the campus police," said the Union City resident.
Blasecia is also a truck driver, but wishes to pass his Passenger Endorsement license test to become a city bus driver. During early morning hours, when very few students need to swipe their ID cards, Blasecia studies his notes for the test.
According to Fanning, the security contract bid is being contested by another undisclosed company, so it is possible that in coming months there could be an entirely different company handling security in the dorms. For now though, Copstat Security Inc. and guards like McCollum and Blaseacia will be on the job.
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