Public Safety Keeps Campus in Order

Staff Writer

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello Public Safety Department keeps the campus in order by providing protection and services to the campus community.

   The state of Arkansas trains and certifies all Public Safety officers. This is required for all police officers in the state, regardless of the agency they work for. Despite popular belief among students that officers only write campus citations, they also write municipal tickets.

   Public Safety also offers speedy service to those in need. 

   “We would like to respond to emergency calls within three minutes,” John Kidwell, director of Public Safety, said.

   Although the small campus makes some tasks easier, officers still face many dilemmas and situations.

   Kidwell, who has been with the University for eight years, said standard duties of the officers include:  patrolling campus, checking the parking lots for violations, locking and unlocking buildings and writing tickets for violations of the law. In addition to standard duties, Public Safety also assists the campus community through helpful services. 

   They assist students by walking them from one location to another at night, unlocking students’ vehicles on campus and helping parents find their children. Although Public Safety deals with many different situations, they handle most incidents on campus independently.

   Kidwell said they sometimes require assistance from outside agencies. UAM and the Monticello Police Department often join forces to handle an array of situations. Patrol Lt.. of the MPD Steven Stain said considering Weevil Runs’ proximity to UAM campus, UAM can usually get there before them.

  “They monitor our radio frequency and they hear all our traffic, and go through our department. Just as MPD can be called to campus, Public Safety can be called for assistance by Monticello. MPD and UAM Public Safety get along well,” Stain said.

   Kidwell said Public Safety works as a state agency.

   “UAM officers work with the Arkansas State Police on a regular basis, considering our number of employees, when a case demands much time in court we send the case to the state police,” Kidwell said.

   Public Safety is housed in the building close to the front of campus across from Bankston Hall. You can contact them by phone during office hours at 870-460-1083 and after hours on the 24-hour emergency number is 460-1000.

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