by Tyler Harvey | Oct 20, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
The annual crime report for the 2018 year was released this month by Lipscomb’s Office of Security and Safety. The report shows that there was one reported rape on campus last year and that the criminal activity of burglary in on-campus housing had increased from one report in 2017 to five reports in 2018. The one reported rape on campus is alleged to have occurred in September 2018. The accused is former Lipscomb sophomore, Sam Salib. Salib was indicted by a grand jury in August on three counts of rape. (https://www.scoopnashville.com/2019/08/grand-jury-indicts-lipscomb-student-sam-salib-in-2018-rape-case/?fbclid=IwAR2YkwWQ_6BqE8oY12FLtgdVn0bocJK4HgJoUA0wssciJh_-ev2UyKBe02I) The report reported that there were no rapes on campus for 2017 and two for 2016. “I feel safe on campus if security is there to protect me,” senior Bailie Fite said. “When I’m by myself, though, I feel like I’m on my own and if I report something, I feel like they’re (campus security) not going to do anything about it.” In response to students who feel unsafe, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Kim Chaudoin said, “Lipscomb Security and Safety has personnel on campus 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. If any student feels alone or in need of assistance, they only need to call 615-966-7600 to access one of our officers to assist them any time of the day or night.” Fite also said that she feels unsafe at night in parking lots on campus because in her opinion they are poorly lit. Chaudoin responded: “Lipscomb Security and Safety offers a Bison Walk service for anyone who feels unsafe or would like to have someone accompany them to or from their car,...
by Aaron Schmelzer | May 9, 2014 | News Slider
Lipscomb has a generally good reputation concerning the amount of crimes that occur on campus. But, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s 2013 crime statistics show that the school ranks near the top of the list in comparison to nearby colleges with the number of reported burglaries and thefts. The amount of reported larcenies and thefts have gradually increased from 2010. In 2013, there were 52 reported larcenies/thefts, while in 2012, there were 29, a difference of 23 reports. The difference between burglaries and thefts/larceny, as Lipscomb Assistant Director of Campus Security Patrick Cameron described, is a matter of where the crime occurs. “If you leave your dorm room unlocked, [and] somebody comes in and steals your wallet out of your dorm room, it still counts as a burglary because it’s your residence,” Cameron said. He went on to say that theft occurs when an possession is stolen from a public place that the thief has permission to be in. To the left are the 2013 statistics compared to the past few years. Sophomore molecular biology major Mark Mitchell was a burglary victim last year. He and his roommate left their door unlocked at night quite often, and the money in his wallet was stolen. “I had [about] 100, 200 dollars in my wallet, in my desk, tucked away,” Mitchell said. The thief had walked into his room, taken the money and left. Though Mitchell was stolen from, his outlook on Lipscomb hasn’t changed. He does, however, encourage students to be more aware. “People need to be aware,” Mitchell said. “You need to recognize that this is not a bubble....
by Aaron Schmelzer | Apr 16, 2014 | News Slider
The empty position of director of security and safety has been filled by campus’ Darrin Bellows. The change came about a month after the former director, Jim Humphrey, went to pursue another job away from the university. At the time of his promotion, Bellows had been working as a security officer for the Lipscomb Security and Safety department. He took that job in July 2012. Before then, he worked as an air traffic controls systems maintenance officer in the Marine Corps. Bellows said that the position is an honor. His goal is to not only keep working at the routine tasks of a security office, but also focus on being service oriented. “The goal of the university and the security and safety department is that we provide a safe and secure environment, that everybody that comes upon the campus has a pleasant experience,” Bellows said. “That is going to be my focus. “I want security to do more than just the conventional security and safety functions, but to be service oriented and to help out however we can.” He said that the biggest change he will make to the department is to improve the customer service. “I think sometimes the officers need to know that it’s okay to do more than the conventional stuff, and I’m here to let them know that it is okay and highly encouraged,” Bellows said. Bellows said that he and the security and safety department also wants to continue building the relationship with students, with hopes to increase the safety of the campus. He said further that he wants to serve the Lipscomb community...
by Crystal Davis | Sep 28, 2012 | News Slider
Walking back to your dorm alone at night or taking that long walk back to the high school football field where you had to park earlier in the morning can sometimes be frightening for women at Lipscomb. Compromising situations can arise just about anywhere for women while they’re alone. Lipscomb’s Security and Safety recognizes that and is doing something to help women feel more prepared. Andy Hall, a R.A.D. instructor and campus officer, said that’s why campus safety is offering Rape Aggression Defense classes to teach women how to feel confident in protecting themselves through techniques and being aware of their surroundings. “Basic physical defense for women is a priority for Lipscomb Security and Safety,” Hall said. Campus safety is providing classes to accommodate most women’s schedules on campus between holidays, school breaks and classes. The most popular class is held on a Saturday because it’s most convenient for students. “The goal of the class is to give women the confidence to know they can get away from a dangerous situation,” Hall said.. “The instructors are not teaching women how to do martial arts or how to take down their aggressors but instead equip them with the tools to distract their aggressors long enough to get away from the situation unharmed.” Some techniques include teaching students about their dominant arms and certain body positions to help them exert the most force, no matter their size or strength level. Hall and four other certified instructors teach a variety of kicks, arm movements and hits. He said they create situations within the class that are meant to cause the students distress....
