2008 Woodie Awards
Res Life May Use Hidden Cameras to Capture Hijinx
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: News
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Ongoing damage in The Village at Little Falls apartments have Montclair State University officials investigating the installation of hidden cameras on the first floor of the four buildings.
According to the Director of Residence Life, Regina Sargent, the cameras would serve two purposes.
First, it would allow for a heightened sense of security in an attempt to thwart vandals and thieves. Second, it would allow authorities to keep track of all those who enter and exit the building.
The idea of installing cameras in The Village has been on the table since near the opening of the facilities due to the extraordinary amount of damage estimated at $40,000 that resulted.
Some of the damages included the removal of signage, smashed
exit signs, concrete bench seating damage, burnt lounge chairs, broken glass in windows, and a damaged bus stop.
Many hope the new Common Area Damage Policy for 2004-2005 will deter people from causing trouble by holding residents in the area of damage financially responsible if they cannot prove they were not the cause
of the damage.
"If people observe the rules of conduct, we would not be having
damage," said Theresa Giardino, the Assistant Director of Facilities in the Office of Residence Life. "People should observe [rules] in both the Code of Conduct and Resident Handbook," she said.
University Police also hope these new policies will allow them to
work with the residents to identify and hold those accountable for the damage.
This is not the first time the University has been faced with security problems. In January of 2003 a total of thirteen cars had
equipment stolen from them while parked in lots across the campus.
The high rate of theft in the lots caused an increase in University
Police patrolling the campus and eventually led to the installation
of cameras in parking areas.
Feelings of cameras in The Village are mixed according to residents.
According to the Director of Residence Life, Regina Sargent, the cameras would serve two purposes.
First, it would allow for a heightened sense of security in an attempt to thwart vandals and thieves. Second, it would allow authorities to keep track of all those who enter and exit the building.
The idea of installing cameras in The Village has been on the table since near the opening of the facilities due to the extraordinary amount of damage estimated at $40,000 that resulted.
Some of the damages included the removal of signage, smashed
exit signs, concrete bench seating damage, burnt lounge chairs, broken glass in windows, and a damaged bus stop.
Many hope the new Common Area Damage Policy for 2004-2005 will deter people from causing trouble by holding residents in the area of damage financially responsible if they cannot prove they were not the cause
of the damage.
"If people observe the rules of conduct, we would not be having
damage," said Theresa Giardino, the Assistant Director of Facilities in the Office of Residence Life. "People should observe [rules] in both the Code of Conduct and Resident Handbook," she said.
University Police also hope these new policies will allow them to
work with the residents to identify and hold those accountable for the damage.
This is not the first time the University has been faced with security problems. In January of 2003 a total of thirteen cars had
equipment stolen from them while parked in lots across the campus.
The high rate of theft in the lots caused an increase in University
Police patrolling the campus and eventually led to the installation
of cameras in parking areas.
Feelings of cameras in The Village are mixed according to residents.