By Kirsten Johnson
Copy Editor

The Police and Public Safety Department at UNCP tightened security on campus with new blue light emergency phones and new police officers.

Since the construction began last fall, UNCP students have noticed a slight change in where emergency posts are located on campus, such as the new blue light post at the back of the Village apartments, Lot 24 to the west side of the track and to the east side of field house.

Students also may have noticed a new patrol car where Officer Esther Zamora, new to UNCP staff, can be seen keeping order at dances and other events. Zamora has recently begun her tenure at UNCP in May of 2004 and is a new active force in keeping students safe.

The department’s 12 police officers are trained law enforcing professionals certified by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Division. Each officer has completed the North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training program.

Campus Police also have their own programs such as City Watch, an automated emergency notification system that allows police and public safety to alert students, faculty and staff of existing emergency situations within minutes.