Security upgrades to HUB are working, incidents “declining” while others around campus increase, U of A report finds

Security upgrades enhanced safety in HUB Mall and are causing a decline in incidents, according to a University of Alberta report. 

According to an internal Risk Management Report, locking HUB Mall doors after hours, implementing more security enhancements to the building, and having better coordination between security guards, peace officers, and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) are contributing to less security incidents in HUB.

Associate vice-president of Risk Management Services Philip Stack said the new measures have helped decrease the number of assaults, trespassing complaints, and overall incidents after-hours in HUB.

“We are seeing progress,” Stack said. “The number of incidents are declining as a result of the work in HUB Mall.”

Risk Management Services presented the report as part of its quarterly update to the Board of Governors Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) —  which is responsible for assessing risks and threats to the institution including occupational health and safety, financial, and auditing reporting — on September 23. 

The purpose of the report is to identify trends for the BARC. Both Stack and Rob Munro, vice-president of Risk Management Services, presented the report to the committee.

Munro added that from January to August of 2019, the U of A encountered “significantly less” security incidents as compared to the same months in the previous year.

“It does appear that the actions we are taking are having an effect,” Munro said.

In a statement, Students’ Union vice-president (student life) Jared Larsen said he is “pleased” to see a decline in security incidents in the HUB area but hopes more work will be done to address other concerns.

“We are only a few weeks into the school year and we are eager to see how these changes impact the community throughout the year,” Larsen said. “Locking the doors was a great first step towards increasing safety and security in HUB and the Students’ Union is looking forward to working with the University to execute further plans identified in the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design report.” 

Report findings: “Notable increase” in bike thefts, cannabis incidents, and nearly “double” amount of assaults

Additionally, the report said a “notable increase” in bike thefts has driven an overall increase to thefts occurring at U of A campuses. Additionally, incidents involving graffiti increased the number of mischief incidents requiring a security response.

According to the report more cannabis related incidents occurred on campus. It noted that new cannabis legislation which legalized the recreational use of cannabis occurred. Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis incidents include public intoxication, open liquor, minor possession of liquor/cannabis, and improper transport of liquor/cannabis. 

In 2019, of the 24 assaults on U of A campuses, four were reported as sexual assaults. The assault category of the report includes common or those without injury, sexual, and assaulting a peace officer.

Charlene Butler, a member of the board subcommittee, raised concern over the number of assaults occurring on campus as compared to quarter two 2018 to quarter one 2019.

“I just have to ask, the number of assaults from quarter one 2019, what happened?,” she asked. “It is like double any other quarter [reported].”

Stack said this number is a reflection of “challenges” the university is having with non-affiliated members of the public coming onto campus. He added these incidents are usually associated with theft, where they may produce a weapon or assault an individual in an attempt to steal a person’s laptop or cellphone. 

In terms of initiatives in place to combat these concerns, Stack said the HUB Mall upgrades are addressing some concerns at North Campus. Further, he said the U of A Community Action Team under the guidance of U of A Protective Services (UAPS), the combination of security agents and peace officers the U of A has, and a new EPS liaison officer who is at the U of A on a pilot basis for one-year to assist coordination and relations with city police officers are measures being used to better address security concerns.

“We are trying our best to alleviate these concerns,” Stack said. “You’ll find that this trend is consistent with the City of Edmonton reporting… Generally, rates of total crime are declining, however, rates of thefts and assaults are increasing because of current economic situations.”

Correction: A previous version of the article incorrectly stated the report said cannabis legalization has driven more gaming, liquor, and cannabis incidents requiring response. The report only noted the date of cannabis legalization and that there is no data showing a causal connection. This has been corrected.