Public Safety Community Affairs

Among our strengths as a department is our commitment to being out among Adelphi students, faculty, and staff, and providing positive experiences to our community members. We can teach you how to use a fire extinguisher, change a tire, experience what it’s like to drunk drive in a safe environment, and various other things. These hands-on activities are a complement to our prevention and awareness programs. Members of the Public Safety staff enjoy working closely with our campus community, and these interactions enable the community to get to know our officers, which enhances the vital relationship between the Adelphi community and Public Safety.

Adelphi University’s Community Affairs & Crime Prevention Officer is Sgt. Gerry Lennon. Gerry plays a vital role in the department fostering relationships within our community. His work has been recognized by organizations both on and off campus and he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. The Public Safety Community Affairs Office is Located in the Ruth S. Harley University Center, Room 104.

Our goal in Public Safety Community Affairs is to:

• Continue to build and maintain trust between the Department of Public Safety and the community we serve.
• Provide materials and educational programs to increase awareness about safety and security.
• Create an ongoing dialogue with the community.
• Maintain open lines of communication.
• Assist the community in reducing opportunities for crime.

The purpose of the program is for our Public Safety Officers to interact with the community so the community may become more comfortable with the department and so we can understand their concerns. “To do our jobs right, we need to be out there in the community.”

The Park, Walk and Talk Program is where patrol officers [approximately 24-25 Public Safety Officers, and some Event Staff Members] are assigned to a “zone,” a portion of the university campus containing two to three academic and/or administrative buildings. During their shifts, the officers are assigned to patrolling the campus and at certain times during their patrol hours they will work in their zones. The officers will park and exit their patrol vehicles, walk around the zone area and go inside the buildings to visit with the people directly. This provides an opportunity for the officers to be reachable on a personal level, to directly answer questions or try to assist the community with issues or concerns and to better understand and get to know the university community. 

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To enhance our community relationships and expand our safety initiatives on campus, the department launched a new Public Safety liaison program in Fall 2022 that promotes Outreach, Connection and Collaboration: Team Up For Safety.

By assigning a designated Public Safety liaison to groups on campus, Team Up For Safety allows Public Safety to personalize customer service by fostering lines of open communication and building trust in all areas of the community such as working with students in different departments or student organizations. We will encourage all areas that wish to participate to reach out. The goal is to provide an outlet for students to readily approach Public Safety to exchange ideas through conversation and shared thoughts thus achieving a greater understanding and lasting relationships. 

Through this proactive approach, Public Safety will develop a rapport with students, and groups by being available to answer questions, address safety issues, and arrange to attend meetings, seminars and other scheduled programs. 

In addition to our Community Affairs & Crime Prevention Officer, we have the Public Safety Bike Patrol Unit. The Department of Public Safety Bike Patrol Unit operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, weather permitting. The Bike Patrol officers perform the same duties as other uniformed officers on campus but are able to navigate more easily throughout the campus.

Benefits of having the Bike Patrol Unit on campus include:

• Providing high visibility patrols by the officers throughout campus which enables the campus community to feel safer.
• It allows the officer to be more approachable by the students, faculty, staff and visitors, enabling the officer to interact more easily with the community.
• Bike patrol officers are able to conduct routine patrol functions as well as numerous other functions that a patrol officer in a vehicle would not be able to complete.

During October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Department of Public Safety & Transportation will begin raising money and awareness about the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program by continuing our efforts in the Pink Patch Project.

The Pink Patch Project is a national public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support breast cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease. The program centers on vibrant pink versions of the public safety employee’s uniform patch. These bright pink patches are specially designed by each participating agency specifically for their Pink Patch Project participation. The pink patches are intended to stimulate conversation with the community and to encourage public awareness about the importance of early detection and the ongoing fight against this disease.

The Project is spearheaded by Sgt. Gerry Lennon, Crime Prevention & Community Affairs Officer, and Sgt. Ray Capers, Transportation Officer. The patches will be shared with the University community for any voluntary donation, and all funds will go to the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. To make a donation and get your Adelphi Public Safety pink patch, visit the Department of Public Safety and Transportation’s Community Affairs Office in University Center Room 104 or visit the Public Safety Patches portal.

Recognizing the impact of social media and its potential for reaching students, faculty and staff members, the Department of Public Safety uses its Twitter account to share photos of our staff at campus events and useful safety information. @AU_Publicsafety

This training provides all students and employees with information about campus policies, resources, and reporting requirements. In addition, it also provides Ongoing Training on Awareness and Prevention Programs.

Campus Safety 101: Video with resources that can help you avoid danger, and provides tips on how to handle risky situations. This is provided during all new student and employee orientations throughout the year.

A General Public Safety Information Table provides pamphlets, brochures, and other sources of information throughout the year at the following locations:

Learn more about Safety Awareness events, Sign-up for RAVE Alert, obtain information on shuttle services and view our pamphlets, brochures, and other sources of information for fire and crime prevention on campus. 

Residence Hall Talk/Meet & Greet: Offering tips on residence hall safety and living safely on campus

Commuter Table & Commuter Safety meeting: offered bi-annually [at the beginning of each semester] to commuter students and offers tips on safe commuting

PEST Training [Members of PEST only]: In the event of an emergency incident occurring on campus, the Department of Public Safety may choose to call upon the Panther Emergency Support Team (PEST) to augment the Department’s response capabilities. PEST is an all-volunteer group of faculty and staff who are trained to support the Department by providing specially trained personnel to assist in the form of operating phone banks, staffing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and assisting Public Safety at the scene of an incident.  If you’re a faculty or staff member and you would like to become a member please complete the form and you’ll be contacted with information regarding the next PEST training.

Campus-Wide Test of the Adelphi Alert/Emergency Alert Notification System: send out a Rave Alert to test the notification system [done on at least an annual basis].

Emergency Procedures Training (NOTE: Hostile Intruder/Active Shooter (Shots Fired) and Fire Safety Training is included in the Emergency Procedures Training) offered annually at the beginning of the fall semester.

• Active Shooter/Shots Fired/Hostile Intruder: provided to all students and employees (incoming and current) throughout the year (usually during orientations). The training provides an overview of Hostile Intruder events, details the Universities Run, Hide, Fight Guidelines, and highlights the various preparedness and mitigation efforts the Department has taken to protect the Adelphi Community. The lecture is designed to leave the audience feeling confident on what actions to take, and recognize their ability to survive a Hostile Intruder event occurring on the grounds of the University.
• Fire Prevention Table: offers fire prevention training and tips
• Smoke Out: Interactive training for students that simulates escaping a smoke/fire building
• Fire Safety Crowd Training: Controlling crowds during a Fire
• Lockdown Exercise: this exercise follows procedures set forth to instruct on how to deal with a hostile intruder and what to do during a lockdown.

Active Shooter/Stop the Bleed Bi-Annual Joint Training Seminars: Active Shooter [Guidelines; Preparedness; Action Plans (Run, Hide, Fight) and Stop the Bleed training [skills and knowledge to provide immediate bleeding control in an emergency; location of stop the bleed kits]

Public Safety Interactive Events: Learn more about Safety Awareness events occurring throughout the month. Sign-up for RAVE Alert and get information on shuttle services. You can also see our pamphlets, brochures, and other sources of information for fire and crime prevention on campus.

• Theft Prevention: The Captain of Public Safety will go around Swirbul and the UC to spot potential thefts, unlocked doors and vehicles around campus, while providing brochures and then inform students of the risk.
• Meet the Officers: Come learn more about the Public Safety Department at Adelphi University and meet our officers. Officers will be available to answer any questions/concerns you have and additional information will be provided regarding safety programs, shuttle schedules and much more. While meeting our officers, take a look at our state-of-the-art command center that provides a higher quality of security to uphold Adelphi’s commitment to remaining one of the safest campuses in the nation. We look forward to meeting all of you!
• Fire Extinguisher Simulation: Come join Adelphi’s Fire Safety Lieutenant and we will show you how to use a Fire Extinguisher.
• Campus Safety and Lighting Walk with the Midnight LT: Meet the Midnight Lieutenant for a walk around campus to identify safety concerns during our exterior light inspection.
• National Alcohol Awareness- DWI Simulation / Drunk Driving Obstacle Course-Students and/or employees are provided goggles meant to simulate one’s vision at .08% blood alcohol concentration. Then, the student and/or employee is seated behind the wheel of a Public Safety Security cart and asked to drive through an obstacle course without hitting any cones. The event allows students and/or employees the opportunity to see just how dangerous it is to use alcohol and operate a vehicle while impaired or intoxicated.

Bi-Annual Take back the Drugs (2x a year): The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

Campus Security Authority Training (Identified C.S.A.’s):  The Department of Public Safety and Transportation designates individuals on campus as CSA’s and if you are sent an email via Moodle to take this course, that means you have been designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Act. The short training educates the viewer you about the responsibilities of a CSA, including the legal requirement to report specific crimes/incidents.

Annual “Take Back the Night” Event [April]: The goal of Take Back the Night is to end sexual violence of all types and to create safe communities and respectful awareness. The event is for Students & Employees and includes a survivor speak-out, student performances, a march around campus, and a keynote speaker. Provided by Public Safety & Title IX.