Retention of Civilian Campus Security Officers to Prevent and Reduce the Fear of Crime at The University of Southern Mississippi

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 4, the University of Southern Mississippi will use the FY 2009 Recovery Act Byrne Competitive funds to retain civilian security officers (CSO) in an effort to prevent crime at the University of Southern Mississippi. The university will retain or rehire seven CSOs for its University Police Department (UPD). State budget shortfalls have caused the elimination of seven CSO positions, which has forced UPD to perform the CSOs' functions, removing them from patrol. Reinstating the CSOs will cause little or no disruption in services, which will allow the university to provide a presence in the campus community adequate to prevent and reduce the fear of crime without reducing the UPD's ability to maintain full-response capabilities. Funds will also go towards supplies for the new CSOs, which include uniforms and safety gear.

CA/NCF