HBCU officials and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) secretary Hal Taylor met last week to discuss ways to improve campus safety.
Tuskegee University was the site of a November shooting that left one victim dead and 16 injured.
The meeting, facilitated by Dr. Quinton Ross, president of Alabama State University, brought together leaders from Alabama’s HBCU and historically black community college communities, including representatives from Tuskegee University, Miles College, Lawson State Community College, Trenholm State Community College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Shelton State Community College and Bishop State Community College.
“This meeting represents a vital moment in a collective effort to create safer, more secure learning environments for our students and faculty,” said Terri Sharpley Reynolds, senior strategic advisor and legal counsel for HBCU CARES, an Alabama-based nonprofit representing HBCU institutions. “By working collaboratively with ALEA and leveraging the resources discussed today, we can make a significant impact on the safety and resiliency of our campuses. HBCU CARES has proven once again its ability to bring leaders together to address critical issues facing our institutions.”
Taylor outlined several initiatives during the meeting that ALEA will offer to bolster campus safety:
Free campus safety assessments: Conducted by ALEA in collaboration with Homeland Security, these comprehensive evaluations will help identify vulnerabilities and enhance campus security at no cost to institutions.
Access to grant funding: ALEA will offer small grants to support critical security upgrades on campuses, addressing funding gaps for HBCUs and HBCCs.
Joint training programs: ALEA will facilitate collaborative training sessions involving state personnel, local law enforcement, and campus security teams to improve readiness and coordination.
Streamlined communication channels: ALEA committed to enhancing communication between law enforcement agencies, campus leaders, and key stakeholders to address safety challenges more effectively.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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