Media Credit: Andrew Rogers UTPD officers investigates the second of three recent armed robberies on campus on the night of April 17.

The College of Natural Sciences and University police are looking to beef up security measures at Robert Lee Moore Hall after an aggravated robbery last Wednesday and a string of burglaries.

Representatives from the college, UTPD and departments within the building met last week to discuss security issues at RLM. Before the aggravated robbery, the building experienced about six to eight burglaries during the past few months, said UTPD Chief Robert Dahlstrom. About two weeks ago, a construction worker inside the RLM after hours heard the burglar, confronted him and called police, Dahlstrom said.

Dahlstrom said he believes the suspect was responsible for the previous burglaries as well.

Physics Department Chair John Markert said meeting attendees set up a plan to tighten security but that he believes Natural Sciences administrators will implement it slowly. Markert sent out an e-mail Thursday urging students to "keep the pressure on" professors and the college to increase the pace at which improvements are made. He said he believes more thefts may occur before the measures are put into place.

"I would rather not spell out all the specifics in print to advertise to thieves, but we do have a plan," he said.

He said self-locking doors will be put around the perimeter of the building and that lighting around the exterior will be improved. He said he also wants card-swipe access that records each entry after hours, security cameras and alarms that would sound when a door is propped open for more than 30 seconds.

Ann Harasimowitz, associate director of research and facilities, said the college is waiting on the hardware before it can install self-locking doors. She said the

order could take six to eight weeks but that no other changes to the building are definite. There is not a timetable or estimated cost for the improvements, but Harasimowitz met with Information Technology Services Monday to discuss the changes.

Harasimowitz said the college started discussing changes before the aggravated robbery

occurred.

"We want perimeter security," she said. "We're taking this seriously, and we're moving as fast as we can."

Some students walking into the building Monday said the University should implement security measures if possible.

"If there's an aggravated robbery, then that is a cause for concern," said history senior Meredith Moore. "It's a big campus. I'm sure it's not as easy as it sounds, but if there are things that they know they can do, then do them."

Moore said an ID swipe might make students feel more secure, while another student said she believes card swipes might not be enough.

"I think there should be a cop by the door over there or some sort of security personnel surrounding this area, because it gets pretty dark," said economics senior Amrita Boghani. "Regardless if you swipe in or not, if the person is standing outside waiting for you, you're not going to be able to prevent that."

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