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Warning system amplified at USF

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By LINDSAY PETERSON

lpeterson@tampatrib.com

Published: May 12, 2009

TAMPA - If a gunman were loose on the University of South Florida campus, students would be warned by eight sirens that have been installed across campus.

USF wired and tested the system last week, knowing students would be off campus after commencement exercises. And it's making plans to demonstrate the system after classes start next fall.

Each device has a siren, loudspeaker and strobe light designed to alert and inform students about a dangerous situation on campus.

Several campuses across the country have installed such warning systems since the April 2007 killing of 33 people on the Virginia Tech University campus.

In early 2008, USF created a Division of Public Safety to coordinate all campus security activities, including the campus police and its private service, AlliedBarton Security.

The campus police department has created a team trained to respond if a gunman were on campus.

Also, the university registered cell phone numbers for 50,700 students and employees so it can send out mass text messages.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

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