In the upcoming months, the Oakland University Police Department will be installing new surveillance equipment all around campus. About 45 new surveillance cameras will be installed to further bolster the high amount of security on campus.

Melvin Gilroy, lieutenant and commanding officer of OUPD, confirmed that the while the cameras themselves have not been yet installed, other equipment that OUPD will use to monitor activity is currently being installed.

“The project (process) has been authorized and is in the design,” Gilroy said. “What we call, ‘the head-end equipment’ is being installed here, which means all the wiring here (at the department), the DVRs, are being installed right now.”

The cameras that are already installed are used in patrol and investigations. They help OUPD identify those who have committed crimes and monitor activity in highly condensed areas, such as the Oakland Center and Kresge Library.

“Most cameras on campus are concentrated in areas where there is a high volume of traffic and pedestrian movement,” Capt. Mark Gordon said. “We (the OUPD) are always concerned about overall safety of students and staff, and monitoring these types of areas allows us to ensure safety measures are being utilized.”

Security cameras were installed in the interior and exterior of the residence halls, and according to Gordon, can last for up to five years.

“It depends on the area, but much of the equipment is replaced about every five years,” Gordon said. “Some equipment will be replaced sooner than that as new technology does not always interact with older equipment and (some) will need to be replaced as older cameras begin to fail.”

As for who watches over the surveillance footage, Gordon said that OUPD and others in the department who request the cameras are in charge of monitoring.

“If a specific department wants to install cameras to view a computer lab, the police dispatch center will have viewing rights to the system as well as the manager of the area in which the lab exists,” Gordon said.

In the Sept. 28 issue of The Oakland Post, two theft incidents in Vandenberg Hall were reported. One student who had money stolen from him said that he felt unsafe for the first time in his three years at OU.

Gilroy said not in response to the recent incidents that there will be an increase of security around the residence hall areas, including parking lots that are relatively close to the proximity.

“We place a heavy emphasis on enhancing our capabilities with closed-circut television applications around all the housing areas,” Gilroy said. “We will always be pumping money into increasing security on campus.”

Gordon said that students should be self-conscious about their valuables and ensure that they are secured.

“Larceny is the largest crime at OU and many students can avoid becoming a victim by simply securing their items,” he said.

If you suspect or witness any suspicious behavior on campus, it can be reported to OUPD at 248-370-3331