New College Campus Safety Measures Announced

A report issued this week encouraged campuses to review their campus security services.

Students relaxing at an Oregon University Salem-News.com photo by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - At a rally on the Capitol steps Friday, State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer, St. Paul, Newberg) announced the introduction of two new legislative measures designed to enhance safety at our state’s college campuses.

Rep. Kim Thatcher

“This new legislation will give Oregon’s public universities the option of allowing their campus security officers to be trained, equipped and armed, essentially becoming regular police officers,” said Thatcher. “It would also enhance their ability to enforce the laws we currently have to combat crime.” State Representative Jeff Barker (D-Aloha) is co-sponsoring the legislation with Thatcher. House Bill 3070 would allow full police authority for campus law enforcement officials. House Bill 3071 gives those officers more authority to enforce state laws. Both measures were filed at the request of the Service Employees International Union which represents dozens of campus safety officers across Oregon. The bills should be posted on the legislature’s website the first part of next week. Portland State University Public Safety Officer Mike Anderson pointed out “in the current fiscal environment it only makes sense to maximize the use of resources that we currently have on campus. The money and time no longer exists to tie up multiple agencies on a situation that could be easily handled by a university officer with some simple legislation." In 2008 Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski convened a special taskforce to review campus safety issues. A report issued by the taskforce this week encouraged campuses to review their campus security services and add violation citation authority to the duties of campus safety officers. During the 2007 Legislative Session the House passed House Bill 3318, by a vote of 39-18, which would have required campuses to allow their officers to carry firearms. However, the measure died in the Senate. The Oregon Health and Sciences University’s Board of Directors recently voted to support armed officers on campus. Oregon State University has a contract with Oregon State Police to provide security and the University of Oregon contracts with Eugene Police for some of its needs. OSP and Eugene PD officers pack handguns on campus. Lane Community College officers are also seeking the ability to carry firearms. Friday afternoon, Thatcher spoke at a rally to support Jeff Maxwell, the former Marine who was recently kicked off the Western Oregon University Campus for exercising his 2nd Amendment rights. Thatcher is also working on related legislation to help protect the records of concealed handgun license holders.