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Opioid epidemic highlights Crime Stoppers meeting at Tennessee State University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Nearly 30 representatives from law enforcement agencies across Middle Tennessee met at Tennessee State University on Feb. 8 for intelligence and information sharing on crime prevention and how to address the state’s opioid crisis.

It was the monthly meeting of Crime Stoppers of Middle Tennessee, which included law enforcement chiefs, officers, detectives and security officers from counties, cities, universities and other jurisdictions in the region. The national opioid epidemic and its impact on the region was a major topic at the gathering.

Trevor Henderson, left, and Nichelle Foster, both from the Metro Health Department, make a presentation on the opioid epidemic, at the Crime Stoppers’ meeting. (Photo by Courtney Buggs, TSU Media Relations)

In a presentation, a team from the Metro Public Health Department reported on the level of abuse in the area. In 2016, the group reported, there were 1,631 overdose deaths in Tennessee. Of that number, 281 were in Davidson County. In overdose cases involving the ER, the group reported that the majority of people affected were between ages 18-44.

“This is very serious,” said Trevor Henderson, opioid coordinator in the Metro Health Department.  “We are doing everything possible to keep bringing those numbers down.”

Nichelle Foster, also from the Metro Health Department, made the presentation with Henderson. Foster is from the Division of Behavioral Health and Wellness. She helps individuals recognize the difference between use, abuse and addiction to determine if the individual has substance use or risky lifestyle issues that need to be addressed in a treatment or educational setting.

Recently, TSU joined the fight to address the state’s opioid epidemic. The university implemented a new overdose prevention program to stop deaths associated with misuse and addiction.

Last month, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced an aggressive and comprehensive plan to end the opioid epidemic in Tennessee by focusing on prevention, treatment and law enforcement. Called TN Together, the plan includes providing every Tennessee state trooper with naloxone (NARCAN) for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.

Under the TSU initiative, certified university police officers will be able to administer NARCAN Nasal Spray, a prescription medicine used for the treatment of an opioid emergency, such as an overdose. The initiative is in conjunction with Nashville Prevention, a division of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“Our goal at the TSU Police Department is to minimize the likelihood that someone on our campus dies from an overdose of opiates,” said Aerin Washington, TSUPD’s crime prevention officer, who coordinated the Feb. 8 meeting. “We want to be on the cutting edge of this movement as we strive to serve the community in every aspect that we can.”

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 8,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 25 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

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TSU Announces Updates From Its 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University continues to implement its 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan by working with a consultant to review and make recommendations about the campus police department.

August Washington
August Washington

August Washington, a longtime law enforcement expert, will serve as a consultant to the university’s police department for 60 days.  Washington is charged with developing an attainable policing plan and providing guidance on personnel, training and organizational restructuring.

“The university is pleased to have an individual of Mr. Washington’s caliber and level of expertise in this capacity to assist us with such an important area as public safety,” said TSU President Glenda Glover.  “In addition to Mr. Washington’s experience, he is familiar with local law enforcement and works with the same agencies as our police department in his current role.”

“One of my first actions will be to bring in a team of law enforcement professionals to review current policies, procedures, and practices of the TSUPD,” explained Washington. “This group will be responsible for developing a strategic plan of goals and objectives by utilizing best practices in IACLEA  and CALEA standards.”

President Glenda Glover
President Glenda Glover

Washington, currently chief of police and associate vice chancellor at Vanderbilt University, previously served as police chief for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He was selected the 2015 Middle Tennessee Chief of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. The Louisiana native holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University. He has 36 years of experience in law enforcement working in higher education at seven universities.

“Tennessee State University is taking the necessary steps to enhance safety with the 10-point plan that calls for immediate action and accountability,” said Chancellor John Morgan of the Tennessee Board of Regents. “President Glover has sought out and received assistance from local law enforcement agencies to move the institution forward in the area of public safety, and TBR supports this effort.”

TSU also continues to increase staffing with police officers and security guards. More personnel have been added through the Metro Nashville Police Department Secondary Employment Unit, while additional security personnel have been hired through the security firm Allied Barton for 30 days while the consultant review takes place.

The additional staffing helps to fulfill the component of the 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan that calls for more visibility and increased manpower.  Earlier this month, TSU opened a police satellite office in the student center and established a Student Safety Patrol.

Visit  http://www.tnstate.edu/police/safety/washington.aspx for a comprehensive list of the safety plan and a complete bio on August Washington.

Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

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Metro Police Join Forces with Tennessee State University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has increased campus patrol with the addition of Metro Nashville Police officers. This comes following a shooting on campus Thursday night involving two males not enrolled at TSU. The combination of TSU Police Department and Metro law enforcement is part of the on-going relationship between the University and NPD.

“I want to thank Mayor Megan Barry and Metro Police for this

TSU Dr Glenda Glover Fam Port 090513
President Glenda Glover

alliance to help provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students and peace of mind for their parents,” TSU President Glenda Glover said. “The last 48 hours have been a trying time for our University family, especially our students. My first priority is to assure them and their families that they are safe and will remain safe on campus. TSU’s partnership with Metro Police is not new. Chief (Steve) Anderson and I have talked in detail on many occasions regarding a strategic crime prevention initiative and have implemented phases of this plan to enhance what we are already doing on campus.”

Unknown
Mayor Megan Barry

Metro PD’s North Precinct began patrol Friday night with three walking teams of two officers under the supervision of a sergeant. The officers provided coverage around the residence halls and the immediate inner campus area. This included the student courtyard where Thursday’s shooting occurred. The increased walking patrol with the North Precinct officers will continue until a definite timetable has been established. The precinct will provide Flex Teams to increase visibility starting next week.

“This additional display of manpower should send a clear message to those individuals not associated with TSU that the University and City of Nashville will not tolerate you coming onto our campus to commit crimes or behave in an unlawful manner,” President Glover added.

TSU continues to assist Metro with the investigation. The University has turned over four-mounted surveillance cameras in addition to a thumb drive with video footage from the courtyard and adjacent areas. Metro released a portion of that video that showed two gunmen firing weapons into an open area near the courtyard. NPD has erected a “Sky Cop” camera until the cameras are returned and remounted.

“We are hopeful that the release of this video will encourage eyewitnesses to contact Metro Police via their tip hotline,” TSU Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Kelli Sharpe said. “The TSU Student Government Association organized a town hall meeting on Friday where they asked fellow students to be a part of the University’s crime prevention measures.  This means coming forward with any information regarding this heinous crime and to report any suspicious or unlawful activity when they see it occurring. Like Metro, TSU has confidential systems in place to report suspicious activity before it escalates into something more.”

One of the biggest concerns for the University has been controlling and monitoring non-TSU student traffic coming onto campus, University officials said.  Over the past year, $1 million was spent on surveillance cameras and equipment, lighting, IT and TSU PD personnel, mobile application technology, emergency notification equipment and transportation. The University also erected a new physical barrier, a wrought iron fence, on the east side of campus that begins at Boyd Hall, a male residence, and ends at the Performing Arts Center.

“Reassuring students and parents that we are committed to their well-being is important,” President Glover added. “The University’s collaboration with Metro PD, along with our upgrades, helps us to fulfill that priority.”

Students are asked to install the TSU emergency app on all their mobile devices and program the TSUPD dispatch number in their phones. Any information regarding the campus shooting should be reported to Crimestoppers at 615-74CRIME. There is a $6000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

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Tennessee State University Introduces “5555” Emergency Number for Campus Community

Emergency CallNASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For all emergencies at Tennessee State University, call 5555.

The University has initiated the new, easy to remember hotline number for emergencies, which went into effect Monday, April 6, 2015. Callers must dial (615) 963-5555 when calling from a non-campus landline phone.

According to TSU Police, this is all part of the continuing effort to improve security, better connect with the campus community, and introduce a phone number easy to remember.

“The ‘5555’ number is just one of a series of initiatives the Campus Safety Commission is putting in place to enhance the overall safety of the TSU community,” said Police Chief Anthony Carter.

The previous 5171 extension, which is still used to reach campus police, will be used primarily for internal communication and non-emergency calls, Carter said.

Last November, TSU President Glenda Glover, along with campus administrators, law enforcement, and emergency management, announced the establishment of a 15-member Crime Safety Commission. The role of the Commission was to help analyze and identify areas for improvement, hold discussions with crime prevention experts and other professionals to design and implement best practices. The Commission includes a cross-section of law enforcement personnel, TSU students, administrators, faculty, alumni and community partners.

“The ‘5555’ emergency initiative is a result of the Commission’s work,” Carter said.

 

 

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 45 undergraduate, 24 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.