TUPD safes spring across campus

Students may have noticed tarped rectangular objects placed inside several buildings on campus this year. 

The covered containers are emergency equipment safes installed by the Troy University Police Department (TUPD) to improve response times during emergencies. The department placed one safe in each of the following buildings: Patterson Hall, Hawkins Hall, the Math and Science Complex and the Trojan Center. 

TUPD Sergeant Rachel Farmer said the safes allow officers to quickly access critical equipment without having to return to their patrol vehicles. 

“We placed these safes so we could have quick access to items that are needed in case of emergency,” Sargeant Farmer said. “There are extra vests, extra helmets, tourniquets and additional first aid equipment.” 

The equipment is intended to support officers responding to a range of situations, including medical emergencies and potential threats. By storing supplies inside campus buildings, officers on foot can save valuable time. 

“If we have an officer that’s out on foot patrol, he’s not having to run back to his vehicle to gain these items,” Farmer said. “He knows ‘Hey, I’m at math and science, I can run into this building and have access to the things that I need.’” 

Farmer said staying proactive is the driving force behind the safe placement. Having equipment placed around campus gives officers better odds to respond to emergencies.  

The safes are reserved strictly for law enforcement, not to be accessed by students or faculty.