Duke announces plans to enhance security

As the fall semester approaches, Duke University announced plans to enhance its safety efforts by hiring a new security firm and assigning Duke Police officers to patrol the perimeter of East Campus.

On Friday, contract safety personnel from a new firm, Allied Security, will begin patrolling areas of East, West and Central campuses. In addition to hiring the new contract security officers, the Duke University Police Department will increase its patrols on the perimeter of East Campus, including the Ninth Street business district.

"Duke is a safe and open campus," said Kemel Dawkins, vice president for Campus Services. "The university is committed to ensuring that we maintain that standard for students, faculty, staff and visitors."

The Allied security officers will supplement the Duke University Police Department's team of 64 sworn police officers and 54 security officers. The Allied security officers will be assigned each day to patrol defined areas of Duke's campus and respond to alarms, among other duties.

"Each Allied security officer will give us another set of eyes and ears in our effort to maintain a safe campus," said Bob Dean, interim director of Duke Police.

Allied, one of the largest security firms in the country, is based in King of Prussia, Pa., and has offices in Raleigh and Charlotte. The firm provides security services at Harvard, Columbia and Temple universities and the University of Pennsylvania, among other institutions and businesses.

Duke's enhanced security plan also includes assigning two Duke Police officers to patrol East Campus and its perimeter during the busiest days and hours, Dean said. The officers will ride together in a car or patrol on foot or bike. 

"With the addition of Bell Tower residence hall nestled on the perimeter of East Campus, we felt it was important to include the area in our enhanced patrol," Dean said.

The effort, he explained, will also build on Duke's partnership with surrounding neighborhoods.