Our Purpose is to serve and protect the students, faculty, staff and visitors of Ferris State University. To further the academic pursuits of FSU in two ways: actually keeping people and property safe and in helping to create an environment where people feel completely safe.
Director MJ Bledsoe's 2010 Annual Report Message
The Department of Public Safety has authority over three areas of responsibility, those being police services, emergency management, and parking resources management. There is a very good reason why these distinct services are combined in our area when considering that the care of people and things important to them is our duty.
Police Services
Crime prevention, crime detection and criminal investigations all net the same general results, that is, an opportunity to reduce episodes of victimization and lessen fear of the same. Our crime is trending up slightly in 2010, as is the case in our surrounding areas. In analyzing this, there are several important factors to consider. First, our population is up a bit, that would naturally cause a rise in per capita crime. Next, our reporting options are up from what they were in the past. This includes our BulldogTextTip confidential reporting option and the campaign that accompanies it. Another factor is our concerted effort for the officers to better connect with the public through the Community Policing Coordinator; an officer detailed to help the others with event participation. In other words, we are in and among the public in new ways, thus the public share more with us than ever before.
It is important to state in any case that while actual crime numbers are very low, as is the increase, each represents victims and every one of them deserves the best we can offer. Connecting with victims to solve their cases and see to their individual needs often begins with professionals at Public Safety caring and supporting. Absent a dedicated team of professionals preventing, detecting and solving crime, who knows what the numbers might be.
Emergency Management
We certainly benefited form the time Professional Emergency Manager Tricia Walding Smith spent with us in 2010 (and the year prior). Her two year temporary employment period ended in December 2010 and her contribution will be long appreciated at Ferris. Tricia oversaw several complex projects in 2010 to include the emergency plan gap analysis, the emergency operations plan redevelopment, the business continuity planning process and the coordination of the implementation efforts of the layered emergency communications systems. Credit goes also to partners campus-wide that have taken our capabilities to the next level, particularly on emergency messaging and staff development.
Parking Resources Management
Given the geographic location of our beautiful campus in Big Rapids students rely heavily on their own vehicles for commuting from their homes, whether those homes are near to or distant from the University. We pride ourselves on having safe and convenient parking for those who choose to avail themselves of that resource. Fees have historically been very low, especially when compared to other Michigan institutions. Parking space and measures to enforce the regulations can always be the subject of much debate, regardless of which university is considered. We have met the challenges head-on and have developed incredibly good results, honoring the people having paid to use the services.
Thank you for your interest in our agency and allowing the women and men of our department to share their pride of service with you through this website.
Public Safety
1319 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids MI 49307-2128
231.591.5000 (office)
231.796.0169 (fax)
