FSW Police Department participating in a joint training exercise with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to strengthen coordinated response and campus safety protocols.
Campus safety is no longer a background concern. It is a defining expectation of the modern college experience. While institutions nationwide respond to more than 23,000 reported on-campus crimes each year, Florida SouthWestern State College is taking a more aggressive approach, not just meeting state standards but exceeding them through layered security, rapid response systems and forward-thinking technology.
“We are exceeding what the state is asking of us when it comes to campus safety,” said FSW Campus Police Chief Jerry Connolly. “That means investing in the right technology, building strong partnerships with local agencies and training continuously so we are prepared to respond the moment something happens, not after.”
FSW's efforts reflect a broader shift across higher education. Colleges nationwide are placing greater emphasis on prevention, communication and preparedness. Additionally, federal Clery Act requirements continue to increase transparency and accountability, encouraging institutions to strengthen prevention, communication and response efforts.
Connolly points to FSW’s direct communication lines with sheriff’s offices across its four-county service area, which support coordinated response efforts and ongoing joint training. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office provided active shooter training for FSW’s Campus Police Department at the Lee Campus. The training focused on how FSW officers should respond if they are first on the scene of an incident, reinforcing coordination, decision-making and rapid response in high-pressure situations.
“We also maintain more than 600 cameras across our campuses,” Connolly said. “They are actively monitored and play a critical role in helping us identify and respond to potential issues quickly. Our department takes a proactive approach to safety every day.”
One of the most significant additions is ZeroEyes, a gun detection system connected to FSW’s existing camera network. Monitored in real time by trained analysts, the system identifies potential threats early and notifies law enforcement immediately, helping reduce response times.
Inside the classroom, additional safeguards are in place. NightLock devices, high-strength door barricades that allow doors to be secured quickly from the inside during an emergency, have been installed in classrooms at every campus. These devices give faculty and students an added level of protection and a greater sense of control. Classroom standards also include access control, which allows Campus Police to lock down campuses or individual buildings with the click of a button.
To reinforce its commitment to safety, FSW recently hosted a series of safety and security town halls at each campus location, giving students and employees the opportunity to learn more about available resources, ask questions and share feedback. The conversations underscored a simple but important truth: safety is a shared responsibility.
“I feel safe on campus,” said FSW student Melissa Escobar. “The security measures in place, along with the visible presence of campus police, show that safety is taken seriously. Knowing that support is always close by allows me to focus on my classes and feel confident in my day-to-day experience.”
Beyond the visible presence of campus police, communication plays just as important a role in keeping the campus community informed and safe. FSW uses Everbridge, a mass notification system that delivers alerts by text, email and phone. Whether it is severe weather or an urgent situation on campus, students and employees receive timely, clear information so they know what to do next.
“Our goal is to create an environment where students can focus fully on their education without worrying about their safety,” said Jason Dudley, vice president of Business Affairs and Technology and CIO at FSW. “When students feel secure, they are better able to engage in the classroom, participate on campus and stay on track toward their goals.”
It all works together toward a single outcome: students can focus on their education, not their safety, because FSW is working every day to ensure both.