Daniel Grskovic

On Friday, November 17, The College of Saint Rose Safety and Security Department moved to a new location on campus. The department left its offices in Lima Hall and moved to 340 Western Ave., which was once the location of the Neighborhood Watch Center.

            Steve Stella, the Director of Safety and Security, believes the department’s new location will be beneficial to the college community.

            “The location on two of the main corridors (Western Avenue and Partridge Street) and the close proximity to a third corridor (Madison Avenue) makes this a strategically positioned location.”

            Pat Buckley, who is the Director of Purchasing and Auxiliary Services, was in attendance the day of the move. Her job beforehand was to work with Mike Zecollo, the Assistant Director of Safety and Security, and make sure all of the items to be moved were labeled properly. The day of the move, Buckley made sure the movers put all of the items in the correct location.

            When asked of her opinion of the new office space, Buckley said “It is a very functional building which meets the needs of the Security Department and the neighborhood watch. The location is ideal being on the corner of Western and Partridge to service our campus and the surrounding area.”

            The new office space has indeed been designed to accommodate all of the Security Department’s needs. It includes office space for the Director of the department, as well as the Assistant Director, the Director of Transportation, and the Sergeants. An area has also been included for the receptionist, so students can visit the new office building to purchase parking permits and pay their parking tickets.

            According to Stella, one of the most important aspects of the design of the building is that “the renovation provides compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in an architecturally pleasing addition.” This addition is located on Hudson Avenue, which is now the main entrance of the building. It includes a wheelchair lift, which is capable of accessing any floor of the building. Bike racks have also been included to accommodate the bicycles that the Security Department uses.

            The building has locker rooms in the basement, where the security guards can change and keep their belongings. The men’s and women’s locker rooms have their own bathrooms, each of which has a shower.

            Mark Michalski, who has been a Saint Rose security guard for about 7 years in total, said of the new building, “It’s a nice change of environment. We’re not located in a resident’s dorm anymore, so there’s more of a professional office setting.” Michalski added that, “It’s nice to have the ability to shower before or after work.”

            The Security Department has also designated an area in the building for the dispatch equipment. However, the dispatch equipment will not be moved from its current location in Lima Hall until some time next year.

            It seems as if the new security offices are having a positive effect on the personal in the department. Zeccolo said that he believes the new headquarters “will make our administrative duties more efficient.” However, the big question is whether or not the new location will make the surrounding community safer.

            According to Stella, “The new headquarters demonstrates the college’s firm and continuing commitment to security.” He added that, thanks to the new building, the Security Department “will have a higher visibility to the college community and the neighborhood.”

            According to Zeccolo, “The building was not conducive for residents or other departments in the college, so it was a good fit for the Security Department.” Zeccolo also said that due to the building’s location, “The Security Department has obtained a more prominent role in the community.

            This was one of the main objectives of the move according to Stella, and the Department has taken advantage of the opportunity. Cameras have been installed on all four sides of the building and an emergency blue light call box has been installed at the main entrance of the building on Hudson Avenue.

            Hopefully, these factors will help to deter crimes from being committed in the surrounding area and give an additional sense of security to The College of Saint Rose students as well as other Pine Hills residents.