Nineteen Daytona State College employees, students and associates were honored on April 13 for their contributions to maintaining a safe campus environment, as part of the college’s 11th annual Campus Safety Awareness Day.
Hosted by DSC’s Campus Safety Department, the annual event coincides with other events nationwide commemorating the anniversary of the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings.
Campus Safety Director Louie Mercer noted that the Friday event recognized individuals for their actions ranging from thwarting potential incidents on campus to responding to medical emergencies. Each was presented a framed certificate and their names were placed on the Campus Safety Department’s Wall of Fame. He urged the college community to be vigilant, adding that campus safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Erik D’Aquino, vice president of enrollment management, thanked DSC’s campus safety professionals and area law enforcement agencies for their close collaboration. “Lives are changed and in some ways saved daily, often without anyone noticing. Taking this opportunity to recognize our amazing partnerships is the least we can do to honor the sacrifices they are willing to make each and every day.”
D’Aquino also thanked student government and other student groups for their efforts in promoting safety and security on campus. Echoing the pervasive slogan, “If you see something, say something,” D’Aquino took it a step further, noting, “If you see something, do something.”
Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri, a longtime veteran of the department and a DSC alumnus, also praised the partnership between the college and local law enforcement. “We have a great relationship with DSC. A great partnership, but it didn’t happen overnight,” he noted. “It was built over decades. We have a great security team here, a police officer under contract on campus all the time, and I know our communication behind the scenes is very effective.”
He urged those attending the event to report any suspicious activity, “You may think it’s not that important, but let us make that call.”
The day also featured information by participating community agencies such as the Betty Griffin House, Domestic Abuse Council, Family Life Center and the Rape Crisis Center, as well as law enforcement displays and safety-related demonstrations.
Leave a Reply