SGA President Reid Powell is at the head of an initiative to improve campus exterior lighting. On Dec. 9, 2021, Powell, OCUPD Chief Dexter Nelson, and Dr. Levi Harrel the Dean of Students went on a campus tour to assess the university lighting situation.
“We noticed there are a lot of lights out here on campus or not adequate lighting. We need to bring more lighting to campus,” President Powell said at an SGA senate meeting on Jan. 20.
Nelson says that he, his predecessors, and the Facilities department have all taken action to fix inoperable light fixtures.
Nelson says that the campus lighting issues can be traced back decades to a time that we had a different understanding of light. He also attributes the lighting situation to changes in building codes. “As we learn about problems and issues we work to improve and eliminate them,” said Chief Nelson.
“The goal of the tour was to identify areas in need of improvement for lighting and overall campus safety. We limited the tour to lighting issues so as not to overwhelm the Facilities Department in making repairs,” Chief Nelson said.
While most light fixtures are the responsibility of the university Facilities Department, some fall under the authority of OG&E. Nelson said that emergency lighting can be replaced by the OCU Police Department and University Office of Emergency Management.
Nelson said that the inoperable light fixtures owned by the university need replacement parts. He said that supply chain problems have delayed repairs to the light fixtures.
“Several companies that the Facilities Department deals with are having problems getting and keeping parts and equipment in stock based on manpower and COVID-19 related problems that have caused delays in the shipping industry worldwide,” Nelson said.
“A lack of effective lighting can allow criminals to operate unseen and, in the shadows, making it difficult for police and witnesses to identify and describe suspects and suspect activity,” Nelson said.
According to Nelson, not all lights have the same effectiveness at deterring criminal activity. Nelson said, “The traditional yellow-amber glow lighting that was installed decades ago does not provide the right spectrum of light to effectively recognize colors, sizes, and shapes.”
Nelson said that property crimes occur during the day when a property is unattended, but “generally is the type of crime that thrives under cover of darkness.”
Nelson said that while lighting is a key factor in mitigating crime, it cannot stop crime by itself. “Crime is less likely to occur when there is a greater possibility that suspects may be observed committing crimes by eyewitnesses or surveillance cameras,” Chief Nelson said.
Nelson asks that students bring safety concerns to university staff. He says that the OCUPD is an available resource if students feel insecure on campus.
“We offer safety escorts and courtesy patrols upon request,” Nelson said.
Nelson explained that it is essential that students report suspicious activity to the OCUPD, because it prevents criminal activity that harms students and the university.
“As OCU students, staff, and faculty, everyone is considered to be university ambassadors,” Nelson said.
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