2 years after the mass shooting, the state Michigan is making progress in the armament of campus security

East Lansing, me. – More than two years have passed since the tragic mass shooting at the Michigan State University (MSU), where a shooter killed three students and injured five more. Since February 13, 2023 mass shootings, the MSU has carried out significant security measures to improve the security of the campus and prevent future violence.

Related articles: MSU reaches a settlement of 15 million US dollars with families of 3 students who were shot in February

The MSU has adopted 78 recommendations that evaluated the response from the university and law enforcement in a review according to after-action. According to the Ministry of Police and Public Security (DPPS) of the MSU, 52 of the recommendations have been completed, 27 are continued or in processing, and one remains incomplete.

Important security upgrades at the MSU

The university has carried out extensive updates for safety in the classroom, including installation:

• Electronic locks in 150 classrooms and

• Lockdown buttons in 56 classrooms.

In addition, around 5,600 students have participated in training with active shooters or violent reaction-a modest number, but a significant improvement compared to Pre-2023 levels, reports Bridge Michigan. The university continues to encourage students and employees to complete this training.

MSU opens a new security center

MSU is now operating a state -of -the -art security center that monitors around 2,000 campus cameras in real time. The center has large screens with live security material and is occupied by 12 full-time members and a manager around the clock. The most important functions include:

• Use protocols that update when someone stretches their ID card into a building.

• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for analyzing film material and identification of specific elements.

In particular, MSU was unable to monitor its surveillance cameras in real time on the night of 2023 feeds. The new center ensures faster access to video streams and offers the opportunity to lock the doors on campus from afar. Security officers are still working on integrating all campus buildings into a uniform remote blocking system.

DPPS has invested almost 4 million US dollars in increasing campus security, including:

• The new security center,

• Extended security software,

• Additional sirens, security phones and surveillance cameras.

Structure of access restricted, emergency notification improved

In the Campus buildings, students and faculties have to use their university cards during the evenings and weekends for admission. Before the recordings of 2023, the buildings were accessible until 11 p.m. without ID reviews.

This measure complements the establishment of outdoor speakers that were previously used for Tornado warnings and which can now transmit emergency messages. Two other sirens were also installed north of the Red Cedar River.

The MSU addressed the delays in emergencies with emergencies during the shootout. Initially, a Sergeant tried to order a campus lockdown alarm two minutes after shooting the shooting, but the notification was only sent 10 minutes later. To ensure quick communication:

• The MSU automatically registered the mobile phone numbers of 51,000 students and 7,000 employees for emergency warnings.

• Loudspeakers and outdoor sirens are now equipped for the provision of audio emergency dismissals.

The MSU has also taken over the facial recognition technology to support the investigations. Captured film material from individuals can be shared with the state of Michigan, in which state databases are used to identify potential leads.

Related article: Michigan State for the installation of AI video surveillance systems for the detection of threats

All video surveillance materials are automatically deleted after 30 days to protect privacy.

Last year from last year in the Spartan Stadium, in the Munn Ice Arena and in the MSU tennis center in the Spartan Stadium, the Munn Ice Arena and the MSU tennis center were started. These measures improve the security of spectators at large events.