Safe and sound
Liberty University campus ranked safest in Va.
DEFENSE — Liberty hosted classes to train students to carry rearms on campus with an appropriate permit.
Photo Credit: Joel Coleman
Liberty University was ranked by security system provider ADT as the safest college campus in Virginia based on statistics including crime rates and campus safety programs.
According to the Liberty News Service, through data from the FBI and the Department of Education, ADT picked Liberty as the safest campus over every other school in Virginia. Other schools recognized were Regent University and Virginia Union University. The website recognized Liberty’s safe ride program, where Liberty University Police Department (LUPD) officers will shuttle students on campus after curfew. It also made note of the forms witnesses and victims can fill out to make reporting a crime easier for students.
LUPD Chief of Police Richard Hinkley said the department has grown with the campus with safety in mind.
“We have worked hard to be visibly present and make sure everyone on the campus of Liberty University is safe,” Hinkley said.
Hinkley said the development of LUPD from an unarmed security force to a professional police department took a lot of time and could only flourish with the support of Liberty’s administration.
Students have been a helpful factor in keeping the campus safe in a number of ways too. For example, students who are registered to carry firearms can make for a safer campus, according to Hinkley.
“Having students that do the right things and are willing to report suspicious, improper or illegal activity show their commitment to keeping the community of Liberty University safe,” Hinkley said. “They are our eyes and ears.”
Student Body President Jack Heaphy said he believes the quality of the security at Liberty is attributable to LUPD and the way the school is run.
“It’s just a testament to how God has his hand on this university and wants to protect the students here,” Heaphy said. “I do think that parents can have a sense of security and can feel at ease sending their children to Liberty University.”
Student Body Vice President Luke Welgoss said the student leadership factors into why the campus is so safe.
“I think on other college campuses there really isn’t that sense of family, but I really feel at Liberty there’s the opportunity to grow together, especially because so many of our students live on the dorms,” Welgoss said.
“There’s a sense of accountability that comes with the hall leadership, and so I think that gives the students an opportunity to grow together but also be held accountable for certain activities.”
Heaphy also said students should not adopt complacency and keep campus security in mind.
“Whether or not we are the safest college campus in the state, it’s important that we continue to stay vigilant, report things when we see them, continue to comply with LUPD to make sure that every student feels safe and secure,” Heaphy said.
Executive Director of LU Shepherd and professor David Wheeler said the spiritual aspect of Liberty contributes to the campus safety.
“It’s not that safety is directly connected to being a Christian, but if we are truly living out the Christian walk, then there should be an atmosphere of that around here,” Wheeler said.
“I think it should be celebrated, obviously. I think that has to be a huge comfort for parents.”
Wheeler said he has seen how Liberty handles security over the years in a positive way.
“I’ve watched over the years since I’ve been here different things grow and how they responded, and I can honestly say Liberty cares for its students,” Wheeler said.
“There’s a big difference between caring about perception and caring about reality. I think they care about both, and for me, their perception is that we are a safe campus, and the reality is, we are a safe campus.”
Looking to the future, Hinkley said they plan to expand with Liberty by creating a stronger connection with the community, making sure emergency plans are in place and informing the public of those plans.
Heaphy expressed optimism for the future of Liberty’s security team.
“I have no doubt that Liberty will continue to be the safest university in the state and in the country,” Heaphy said.
Panyard is the news editor.