May 19, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
Lincoln Memorial University is growing - more than 200 percent since 2002. It's adding two new dorms on its main campus in Harrogate and opening a new math and science building this summer. More than 2400 students are enrolled on the main campus right now. To keep everyone safe, LMU security workers moniter the campus 24 hours a day.
"Campus is safe, for the most part, I feel safe. It's a small little town where not much happens, so yeah, I feel safe," said Curtis McMillion, a sophomore at LMU.
But campus security is about to change - security workers will soon become actual officers.
"We have a really safe campus and this isn't a result of anything, we're not reacting to anything. This a proactive step we're taking to help our university grow," said Kate Reagan, a spokesperson for the university.
Reagan said right now, campus security has to call the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office for assistance, even on simple calls like thefts. She said making security workers official officers will give them the power to arrest people, meaning deputies won't have to drive to campus as often - saving the Sheriff's Office both time and money.
Reagan said the officers will also carry guns and undergo special training - something many students support.
"With the Virginia Tech incident a few years back, I mean, you can never be too prepared. And having officers with actual guns and things of that nature to take down someone if need be. It would make me feel safer," said Matthew Wynn, an LMU Junior.
As an RA on campus, Wynn said the threat of arrest might also make students think twice before underage drinking or experimenting with drugs.
LMU is holding a news conference Monday to talk more about the transition to officers. The university said the Sheriff's Office will deputize officers who've completed their training. There's no word yet whether the university is planning to hire more security officers.
