Central State University invests $2 million to boost campus security

Central State University is investing millions of dollars to improve campus safety and security.

CSU plans to spend around $2 million to upgrade security systems by adding lighting, cameras and a new emergency alert system.

The biggest portion of the $2-million investment will go toward the installation of 460 new high-definition security cameras. The cameras have been placed in parking areas, residence halls, stairwells and academic buildings, among other locations, according to CSU.

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The installations mean Central State will have more than 520 cameras on campus, after the school installed more than 60 in its new student center in October 2015.

Central State will also implement a mass emergency notification system called Alertus. The system sends immediate text messages to students, staff and faculty and to “emergency beacons” around campus that will sound alarms if needed.

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Ohio State University also uses the Alertus system, according to CSU. The camera installations at Central State are scheduled to be completed this month and the school will begin using Alertus this fall.

Central State is the second area college in recent weeks to announce campus security upgrades. Just over a week ago, the University of Dayton announced it would install a campus-wide emergency siren.

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