CIU Security taking measures to make campus roads safer

Columbia International University's Security team has been busy this summer overseeing a number of improvements on the campus roads designed to make travel safer for both pedestrians and motorists.

The most noticeable change is traffic calming devices that have been installed mainly on what is commonly known as “Grad Hill” in the center of campus. It includes the parking lot separating the Schuster Building and Ben Lippen School, CIU’s Pre-K to 12th grade Christian school. Traffic is particularly heavy there in the morning as parents drop off their children at Ben Lippen.

“There are pedestrians crossing the parking lot to get to work and class,” said CIU Chief of Security Stephen Pearrow. “We have to be able to slow the traffic and make pedestrians and drivers aware of their surroundings.”

Among the safety devices that are now in place are pedestrian crossing signs, pedestrian crossing lanes, speed humps and traffic delineators — reflective posts separating traffic lanes leading up Grad Hill.

Speed humps have also been added on the parkway at the rear of campus leading to Pine View Apartments, adjacent to the outdoor basketball courts.

While speed limits on campus have not changed, Pearrow says there will be increased enforcement of campus traffic laws. 

“We have purchased a RADAR speed sign,” Pearrow added. “This will allow drivers to see their speed as they are driving. It is portable and will be moved around campus.”

Plus, Security officers have new technology called LiDAR, enabling them to check speed of vehicles.

“These LiDAR devises use laser to detect the speed of any vehicle and only that vehicle,” Pearrow said. “There will be more enforcement on speeding, disregarding stop signs, and pedestrian crossing signs. We will be checking heavily on parking in handicapped parking spaces and fire lanes. We will be checking parking passes on vehicles as well.”

While Pearrow says Security will not be heavy-handed on ticket writing, officers will stop vehicles for violations of laws and CIU policies.

“CIU Security wants to help students, faculty and staff change bad habits and poor decisions behind the wheel of their vehicle,” Pearrow said. “We will use tickets in the effort to educate drivers and keep them and others safe.”

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