FGCU recently added seven new cars to their facility, helping create a more visible look to the current University Police Department (UPD) vehicles.
Each car costs $43,935 and has been upgraded to allow officers to do their jobs more efficiently and increase safety on campus.
Chief of Police Craig Kowalski discussed the upgrades these new vehicles provide.
“We changed the way they look, new year, new look, more visibility, we backed the ideas from a student here at FGCU,” Kowalski said. “We put the new scheme on the cars for student engagement, student involvement, the actual technology within the car for safety is much more beneficial for officers.”
Askley Amest created this new design: a silver car with blue and green lettering displayed on the side.
UPD administrative assistant Krista Grandinetti provided more information on what these new vehicles do for officers.
“Each vehicle is equipped with a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) to keep each officer connected to dispatch, each vehicle is equipped with AEDs, fire extinguishers and first aid kits for life safety, speed detection units are installed to aid in enforcing traffic laws,” Grandinetti said. “Additionally, each vehicle is equipped with emergency lights which are required by law and assist in officer safety.”
As the university continues to aim to add on more projects, one of these includes the blue poles seen around campus.
“We have several projects, the emergency blue poles we are actively replacing those the E-phones with newer technology,” Kowalski said. “They have mass speakers on them so you can make mass communication and caller ID on them so we know where you’re at, as well as HD cameras on the actual device.”
After Dr. Aysegul Timur became the new president of FGCU, the goal of upgrading the university and providing a safe campus to students and teachers came quickly with the new projects.
“We are looking at the surveillance cameras around the entire university to see how we can update them,” Kowalski said.
With everything in the works, Kowalski addressed the growth of UPD and plans for the campus.
“Of course, there are always ways to improve with technology. We are looking at a newer dispatch, which would help us be more self-sufficient,” Kowalski said.
UPD currently works with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, but having a new dispatch would allow them to work more efficiently on and off campus.
Kowalski said they have installed more of the safety systems on campus.
“We launched the weapon detection system back in December. When you go into Alico arena for large events, there are metal detectors that watch out for larger weapons,” Kowalski said. “We’re also looking to add a drone program, like marketing has, but use it for pre-storm and post storm viewing and if there is a missing person or special event.”
Along with keeping the campus safe, another concern for students is parking, which the UPD is focusing on with awareness for the new displays on the parking garages.
“Parking is a conversation at the university a lot. The actual parking garages have large display numbers with the count,” Kowalski said. “We also plan on putting additional signs on all the entrances to the campus that show all the numbers when you’re driving in, and we have additional information on our website.”
With all these new additions in mind, FGCU has prioritized bringing funds to the department. These funds will allow more upgrades for future vehicles and UPD’s future plans.
“The university is very supportive of public safety; it has not been a challenge as they know it’s somewhere they want the funding to go,” Kowalski said.
Camden Walsh, a senior and business management major, shared his thoughts on the new UPD cars.
“I’m a car guy myself. It’s always nice seeing a new car around. I feel like the police should have upgraded vehicles,” Walsh said. “It’s always good to have upgraded vehicles. It looks good for the school overall.”
When told the design was actually made by a student, Walsh was surprised.
“No, I think that’s awesome. I didn’t know that,” Walsh said. “I think it’s really cool, and I like that. I think it looks very sleek.”
UPD doesn’t plan to stop here. They plan to add more projects in the future and want students to know that safety is of the utmost importance to them.
“We here at UPD are here for you to have a great educational experience. We are a resource, and that is what we’re here for,” Kowalski said.
