When it comes to safety and security at the University of Houston, the eyes have it.

As UH police officers are patrolling the campus, the university’s Security Division also is on the lookout for suspicious activities or emergency situations.

As part of the UH Department of Public Safety (UHDPS), the division’s 20 guards monitor areas of the UH campus, the UH College of Pharmacy facility in the Texas Medical Center, UH System (UHS) at Sugar Land, UHS at Cinco Ranch and UH-Victoria.

A security guard program has existed on campus since the late 1970s. Recently, however, UHDPS was able to increase the number of guards while remaining within its budget.

Previously, an off-campus agency provided security guards to UH. In 2002, Bob Wilson, former UH assistant vice president for public safety and police chief and UHS assistant vice chancellor of public safety, implemented a new approach to campus security.

Based on Wilson’s recommendations, UHDPS began hiring, training and supervising security guards. The salaries of these workers, however, are now paid for by the departments and colleges that use their services.

“If a department or college wants to hire a security guard to oversee a specific building, area or facility, they can contact us,” said Lt. Richard Storemski, UH police officer and the Security Division’s administrator. “We’ll meet with them to explain how the program works, what it costs and how they can make the most of it. We want to make sure they get exactly what they want out of this program.”

Assisting Storemski is Sgt. Bret Collier, who supervises the guards.

In hiring guards, UHDPS seeks candidates who can analyze and adapt to potential emergency situations, accurately report facts to UH police officers and interact with the public in a professional manner.

“These guards are the eyes and ears for UHDPS,” Storemski said. “We don’t expect them to take physical action during an emergency situation. We expect them to get on their radio and call for a UH police officer.”

Guards’ work hours and assignments are customized to meet the needs of their respective departments or colleges. Those located inside of buildings often check to make sure doors are locked while monitoring corridors. Others, who work outside of facilities, are positioned to ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students.

“Because the Security Division is managed more effectively, we’re able to place more guards on campus,” Collier said. “This strengthens the overall efforts of UHDPS to keep the campus safe.”

Departments or colleges interested in hiring a security guard may contact Storemski at 713-743-0625 or rstoremski@uh.edu. Collier can be reached at 713-743-6031 or bcollier2@uh.edu.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu