Association News

Don’t Gamble with Public Safety: Attend This Conference in Atlantic City!

Two IACLEA Regions and the New Jersey College and University Public Safety Association (NJCUPSA) held their 12th annual regional conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, April 19 - 21. More than 110 participants from seven states attended the training and networking conference, including IACLEA President Randy Burba, from Chapman University, Orange, California.

The IACLEA Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic regions and NJCUPSA prepared a practical and motivational program to support attendees’ ongoing public safety efforts.

Keynote speaker Dr. Chris Rodriguez, director of the
New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness (OHSP), discussed state and regional preparedness, strategic partnerships, and inter-agency collaboration. Rodriguez emphasized to participants the state agency’s enthusiasm to work together with agencies at all levels of law enforcement and preparedness. His mantra: Prepare for an event that you hope never happens.

Doug Abraham, recently retired chief of police at University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz Medical Campus, held the audience spellbound with his insights from the horrific
mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. He provided after-action learnings and real-life impact of the disaster. Abraham discussed how the massacre occurred, how decisions were made; and how educational officials were informed, among other topics.

Key to every campus agency is Clery Act compliance, and national expert Dolores Stafford, of D. Stafford & Associates, provided important information on updates to the 2016 Handbook.

Addressing a vital issue for all campuses, the conference featured a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion on college and university campuses. Vickie Weaver, Rider University Director, Public Safety; Dr. Pamela Pruitt, Director of Multi-Cultural Affairs at Rider University; and Susan Stahley, MSW, Alcohol/Drug & Sexual Assault Prevention Education Coordinator at Rider, led the panel on how agencies can enhance their ability to ensure all students benefit from and feel comfortable accessing public safety services.

In addition to professional development training workshops, more than 35 vendors exhibited their products and met with participants. Among these valuable attendees were four Gold Member sponsors: Aimetis (video management products and services), CheckVideo (video management products and services), STANLEY Security (security systems, products, and technology information), and Summit Security Services Inc. (security, investigative, and background screening services).

“The conference was a valuable opportunity for any higher education safety or security professional to gain insight on the issues we all face on campus and to network with others who face the same challenges,” said NJCUPSA President Mike Kantner, Assistant Vice President of the Department of Public Safety & Office of Emergency Management, Rowan University. “Or, as we said before Twitter: to expand our electronic Rolodex.”

Sorry you missed this conference? The 13th annual conference will be held in April 2018, in Atlantic City. Watch IACLEA.org and http://www.cupsanj.org/calendar.html for information.