Jay Gruber announces tightened security and new alarm systems on campus

In a round table meeting with around 15 student representatives last week, Georgetown university police chief Jay Gruber announced improvements to campus security and a new dorm alarm system.

GUPD has recently increased its campus presence, and has installed a new alarm system and an extra GOCard swipe location in dorms, the Georgetown Voice reported,

The meeting last week also focused on the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), who are available 24/7, and anonymous tips on the LiveSafe app have helped GUPD in making arrests.

Gruber stressed that GUPD “[doesn’t] take any chances” and uses all available resources during times of crisis — like in the recent missing student incident.

Georgetown is also trying to address the lack of resources for SafeRides, and is now considering the possibility of a contract with Uber.

Speaking at the meeting Gruber said: “The SafeRides program is always my Achilles’ heel, we really can’t provide as much resources as we’d like to.

“If we can find some cost savings, we can provide some Uber support.

“I want to provide service to the students so they feel safe when they’re out in the neighborhoods.”

A proposed D.C. policing bill would expand the jurisdiction of campus police — but no need to worry, Gruber told the students at the round table: “My job isn’t to stomp out fun or a party wherever I see it. My job is to keep you guys safe, sometimes from yourselves but definitely from the people that come onto campus to prey against you…”

For some, the meeting was a step in the right direction. Megan Lipman, a Georgetown freshman, said: “I really appreciate that Gruber’s priority is keeping us safe rather than trying to get us in trouble.

“I feel very safe at Georgetown, but it’s important not to rely on that sense of security in a city like Washington D.C. with the recent threats around the world.”