Employees of Alden Library and the Ohio University Police Department said they are always discussing ways to improve safety, but both said last week's incident has not changed their policies.
On April 5, Ryan Salim, of Steubenville, was arrested in the library's Learning Commons and later County Prosecutor C. David Warren indicted him with abduction and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon. He is at Athens Mental Health Center and will appear before a court once he is released, said Ron Brooks, an Athens Police Department officer.
Alden Library and OUPD have discussed increasing security, but nothing has come to fruition, said John Lamborn, library assistant dean for public services.
Even before the incident last week we were having discussions about security due to the library's late night situation
he said. We are always trying to provide a better sense of security.
OUPD assistant chief of police Mark Mathews said the incident was isolated and has not affected how OUPD patrols the library.
This is something you can't really plan for Mathews said. Nothing more (about security) has been implemented at the library since our talks about the late night opening.
Mathews said there are more establishments staying open later, and OUPD is increasing the late night security all over campus.
The library staff are extremely well-trained he said. They have been trained well enough to call us when they see something even slightly suspicious
which is what they did.
Before the gun incident, OUPD walked through the library at least twice during the late night hours and at random times. Also the OU SAFE-T Patrol Team regularly staffs the library from 2-3 a.m., and patrol members are also available every night starting at 7 p.m. to help anyone who feels unsafe.
The SAFE-T Patrol goes through the library several times each evening
said Tina Burnette, OUPD police officer and SAFE-T Patrol Team trainer.
Their services include anything that falls under the umbrella of safety.
According to its Web site, the SAFE-T Patrol Team is a free service offering students
staff and visitors a walking escort to any location on campus or in close proximity to the campus. Team members are hired and trained by the Ohio University Police Department.
They assist us in being our extra eyes and ears around the campus
and they are there to provide a service
not authority
Burnette said.
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