News Releases

UWI St Augustine tightens Security

For Release Upon Receipt - June 18, 2009

St. Augustine


The University of the West Indies (UWI) continues to tighten security in and around its St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. These security developments come outside of the heavy student traffic period of September to June.

Even though there are fewer students on campus than normal, the St Augustine campus has stepped up its efforts to strengthen its partnership with national police to create a secure environment for UWI staff and students. UWI Estate Police are also working with other relevant stakeholders to develop a number of initiatives to deal with the serious challenges posed by the increasing incidence of crime in areas surrounding the campus.

Already, the Campus has streamlined the operations of the student shuttle service, increased the number of electric lights and emergency phones on campus, and has continued routine operations such as pedestrian, bicycle and canine patrols. In response to manpower constraints, the UWI Estate Police have expanded their security contingent, and engaged the services of a private security company. They continue to work with state police and other law enforcement agencies to provide the necessary range of crime prevention, problem solving, emergency response, law enforcement and armed escort services.

Also in the pipeline are plans to install electronic barriers at the main entrances, to develop an on-campus emergency communication system, and to deploy electromagnetic smart-card access controls at pedestrian gates and turnstiles. The University also plans to install closed circuit television (CCTV) hi-tech security surveillance cameras on a phased basis, beginning with the main thoroughfares, entrances and car parks, followed by key buildings such as the Student Activity Centre, the Student Administration Building and the Halls of Residence.

The UWI Estate Police continue to direct all their efforts towards promoting a safe, living, learning and working environment in which members of Faculty and staff can foster a culture of excellence in education. However, no matter how many officers are on duty, how well patrolled the area or how strategically spread officers are, there will always be vulnerable pockets on a campus of this size with so many students living on and off campus. Students are therefore asked to practise safe habits and to alert Campus Security if they see anything strange happening on campus by calling 662 2002 Ext. 2121.

ABOUT UWI

Over the last six decades, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged University with over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest and most longstanding higher education provider in the English-speaking Caribbean, with main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and Centres in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Christopher (St Kitts) & Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. UWI recently launched its Open Campus, a virtual campus with over 50 physical site locations across the region, serving over 20 countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. UWI is an international university with faculty and students from over 40 countries and collaborative links with over 60 universities around the world. Through its seven Faculties, UWI offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Pure & Applied Sciences, Science and Agriculture, and Social Sciences.

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