MU, Columbia use grants to make area safer

The large gatherings at MU could make it a target.

By Sean Leahy

Published Feb. 12, 2009

Although the U.S. is seven years removed from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, authorities across the nation are still working to prevent an attack on the U.S. Columbia's local law enforcement agencies are no different.

MU Police Department Capt. Scott Richardson said there a few elements that make MU unique to a possible terrorist attack.

"We have major attractions at the university, things like sporting events and concerts, where there are large gatherings of people," Richardson said. "What also makes our campus unique is the largest research nuclear reactor."

In case the university is ever threatened, MUPD has means of obtaining important information from national agencies.

Richardson said MUPD works closely with the Jefferson City Resident Agency of the FBI to stay up-to-date with the latest intelligence. The departments exchange information at least every other week.

"We have an officer assigned on a part-time basis to the task force down at the Jefferson City FBI," Richardson said. "We work closely with them and we share certain intelligence back and forth with each other."

MUPD has received grants in recent years to help in equipping the campus with surveillance cameras and other resources.

For example, Richardson said the Buffer Zone Protection Plan grant provided funds to provide security cameras for both Faurot Field and the reactor.

Richardson also said MUPD has specific plans of action if an attack does occur.

"Those are standards that we use that are national standards based on the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies," Richardson said.

There are also online resources, which provide students and faculty with information about the department's procedures in case of an attack and how to report any suspicious activity.

The MU Alert Web site provides the federal threat level of a terrorist attack and information about how to report a threat and what to do in certain emergency situations.

MUPD also has a Homeland Security and terrorism page on its Web site, which allows people to anonymously give tips on suspicious activity.

Annual drills and other test procedures ensure MU won't be caught flat-footed in the case of an attack.

"Those are things that we do on a yearly basis to stay up and ready for an emergency, if it does happen," Richardson said.

Preventative plans against terrorism reach over the borders of the MU campus to the city of Columbia and Boone County.

Maj. Tom Reddin of the Boone County Sheriff's Department said though there have been no threats against the Columbia area or Boone County, authorities must still remain proactive.

"Certainly it is a priority in central Missouri because of the diverse population we have from the universities in the area," Reddin said of being prepared for an attack. "We are cognizant that one could occur in the central Missouri area, though there has not been a credible threat."

Reddin said both the sheriff's department and the Columbia Police Department are part of the Homeland Security Regional Response System.

According to its Web site, the system allows federal, state and local agencies to share federal funds in order to enhance response capabilities in case of an attack.