A more visible Safety and Security team – complete with state-of-the-art equipment and training – has begun initiatives to keep Lipscomb “the safest campus in Middle Tennessee,” as President Randy Lowry refers to the university.

Much of the improvement is already visible around campus. And the man behind the work, Director of Security Brad Wyatt, was introduced to students at The Gathering on Tuesday, March 29.

“There are a lot of people who serve around here in a bunch of ways that we don’t really know about lots of times, so I wanted to introduce you to one of these people,” said Dean of Campus Life Scott McDowell in chapel last week.

“Brad Wyatt does a lot of things very quietly to keep this campus safe.”

Wyatt introduced the new measures to students in a question-and-answer session. As background, Wyatt said he retired from working for 29 years for the IRS as a criminal investigator, and says God brought him to work at Lipscomb.

“Yeah, they pay me, and this is my job, but this is a ministry to me,” Wyatt said.

Campus Security has introduced new highly trained staff to campus as well as more professional-looking uniforms. The officers have police, security, or military backgrounds, and some have a combination of all three. A brand new fleet of cars can be seen around campus as well.

Security has introduced a sophisticated outdoor warning system that will have live messaging in the case of a campus or neighborhood emergency. There is also a new dispatch center in the lower level of the library.

“We’re really proud of the new dispatch center,” Wyatt said. “We have a bank of monitors, and we can monitor all 250 security cameras across campus.  We are hoping to have that open within the next week.”

The center will be open 24/7, 365 days a year to the students for everything from getting new students IDs to campus safety emergencies. A new 966-1000 number will also be introduced.

“We have upgraded and enhanced our training program, so all our officers now have been to many different classes, and we will continue to ramp that up,” Wyatt said. “What we’re hoping to attain is that (bad guys) don’t want to come here. As we increase our professionalism and visibility, people are going to say ‘let’s not go there because they’re ready.’”

Measures are being taken to protect the women on this campus as well with the introduction of on-campus R.A.D. classes. The Rape Aggression Defense class is a national program of self-defense tactics and techniques for women.

The already-in-place LU ALERT system lets students know via text messages of safety and weather-related emergencies. Visit lualert.lipscomb.edu to sign up to receive those alerts.

If you need to get in contact with Campus Safety and Security or if you want to learn more call 966-7600 or visit safety.lipscomb.edu.