Scott Turner
In Motion Staff Writer
The annual Campus Safety Awareness Day recently returned to Daytona State, promoting a safe and secure college environment. After an opening ceremony, students and faculty were honored in the Wall of Fame ceremony at the start of the day, after which students and faculty alike could traverse the booths hosted by many organizations on campus and in the community that offer a variety of services.
The opening ceremonies had positive news, as Chief Operating Officer and Provost Tom LoBasso reported that there has been a 50 percent decrease in campus incidents in the past two years, largely due to increased safety awareness. Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood also spoke and gave some safety tips to those in attendance.
“You are the eyes and ears of policing. If you see something, say something. Trust your experiences and trust your gut. If you see something that doesn’t belong, chances are it doesn’t.”
The Wall of Fame award program, which according to a statement recognizes students and college employees who have demonstrated exemplary behavior during campus safety related matters, honored several people for their actions.
Jerico Balduf, Michele Povilaitis, Dolly Miles, Jennifer Hirsch, Jennifer Smith and Leslie Coker risked their safety to give aid to motorists involved in an accident on March 6 of this year. Working as a team they were able to enter a wrecked vehicle and give first aid until paramedics arrived, then stayed after to aid the rescue operations.
James Keeling, a Receiving Clerk at Daytona State, helped apprehend a man who had just assaulted a female student then fled across campus on Feb 11. Upon seeing the man exist a car with the student, he flagged down a Campus Safety and Daytona Beach Police Officer, who were able to catch the suspect after a brief foot chase.
Josh Price, now a former student, aided a student having a seizure near the Daytona Beach Campus Library this previous December, preventing more serious injury.
Lisa Smith, an instructor at Daytona State, was teaching a CPR class at the Advanced Technology College when she became alerted to a mother who brought her unresponsive child to the building thinking it was a hospital. She was able to stabilize the child until EMS arrived to take them to the hospital.
Fitness Center Coordinator Nancy Homan was awarded for her role in helping Daytona State become a tobacco free campus this past summer.
“This award was a collaborative effort,” Homan said, “The entire health and wellness center has been a part of it and many students have been a part of the effort as well.”
The final recipients were Tillard himself and Sherry Bowers, a student. Together they aided a man who fell victim to a seizure outside Bailey Hall by administering CPR until the paramedics arrived.
Following the awards ceremony, Campus Safety Awareness Day became a series of booths available for students to explore, culminating in a test of the lockdown procedures that would go into effect in the event of an incident on campus.
Teresa Peterson, a student getting her AA degree, found the event a positive experience.
“I actually stopped by because the smoking board at the Health and Wellness booth caught my eye. I think it will definitely bring awareness. I think the drill at the end of the day is a good thing, so that we’re prepared for it if we actually do get locked down.” Peterson said.
Many campus and community organizations were present, including Grainger, a local safety supply company, the Health and Wellness Center, Student Alumni Organization, Student Disability and Counseling Services, Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County Inc., Children’s Advocacy Center, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and Respiratory Center.
Campus Safety Awareness Day was held on Apr. 3, outside the Campus Safety office on the Daytona State main campus.