New public safety position created to build community relationships

Resource Representatives hired to help create relationships between public safety and students living in the neighborhood, photo courtesy of Flyer News.

Eric Grimm
Staff Writer

In an email sent to the student body Aug. 14, the Division of Student Development announced a new part-time civilian role, Neighborhood Resource Representative, in the staff of the Department of Public Safety to help community relationships.

“The resource representatives will assist and help inform students about crime prevention and collaborate with students to develop programs and initiatives to enhance safety and security,” said the email signed by Vice President for Student Development William Fischer and Executive Director of Public Safety Savalas Kidd. 

According to the email from Student Development, four neighborhood resource representatives began working Aug. 29 in the student neighborhood, while additional representatives will be added in September.

The position was created as a community engagement style approach between officers, civilian employees and students.

“I don’t think it was anything related to problems or causes,” Kidd said in an interview with Flyer News.

“I think it’s more of a position of building community with public safety. Providing just a different approach to help bolster the relationship with the community as it relates to police officers, the civilian staff of public safety, (and) strengthening the safety of the community as a whole.”

The neighborhood resource representatives are designed to dedicate more time specifically in the student neighborhoods as opposed to public safety police officers who remain “out and about” on campus, Kidd said. Students can expect to see the new staff as they make door-to-door walks to introduce themselves. 

While hiring for the new position, Kidd said he was looking mostly at the candidates’ personalities. 

“It was just looking for individuals that can be more friendly faces in the neighborhoods, and willing to serve, you know, folks with a desire to serve,” Kidd said.

The resource representatives are located in Fitz Hall and their hours will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.