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UNM security raises privacy issues

by SCOTT ALBRIGHT, C&J 271

Security guards walk through parking lots, peering in windows. Alarm systems blink warnings in various entranceways. Sensors and detectors beep spontaneously. Surveillance cameras point down from buildings, watching students' every move.  

Student Bethany Conway is one person who's looking through those cameras.

"I can zoom in everywhere but the weight room," Conway said.

Conway is a gym attendant at Johnson Gym whose job is to watch over the facility through the surveillance cameras mounted around the building.

Conway isn't the only one watching.

Frank McQuerry, alarm system supervisor, said there are multiple systems in place around campus. Besides surveillance cameras, he said there are fire alarms, intrusion alarms and chemical detectors. He said UNM also has the capability of using face recognition and biometric systems.

"You may touch your hand to a sensor that is able to tell if that hand belongs to you and you're an authorized user, or maybe turn off the alarm system," he said. "There are some very limited places that have that at UNM that we're involved with."

He did not specify the exact locations of these systems.   

He said UNM also has the equipment available to use face recognition systems, but do not currently have installations yet on campus. He said the system recognizes a face through video input and then matches it with a computer database.

McQuerry said he could not give specific details about how the alarm and video surveillance systems are linked.

Sushilla Knotenbelt, chemistry department staff, said the security systems are a good deterrent.

  "I've always felt safe," she said. "I haven't had any bad experience. It's helpful if something goes wrong."

McQuerry said security systems locations and capabilities depend upon departments and their funding. He said the variables between the different systems and the requirements of each building make it difficult to put a price on operation and installation costs.

"Each system varies so much," he said. "I can tell you that an intrusion alarm, the basic system when we're talking about alarms, is the least expensive."

He said the intrusion alarm system that is currently in place at Dane Smith Hall costs approximately $4,000.

The security systems are important for personal safety and mission continuity, he said.

"If the department gets broken into or vandalized, and it's a computer department and all the computers are gone or damaged or the area is unusable, that impacts the students. It's a loss of mission continuity of the university to provide education and higher learning."

Student Nic Perry said the security needs to address the problem of theft.

"I used to work at the bike shop and four or five people would come in every day saying their bikes were stolen," he said.

"From what I've heard they need to beef up security and focus on other things. Students get busted for having pot on campus. The main issue is people stealing bikes every day. Not just bikes. I don't know if the cameras will help with stuff like that.

"I know at Johnson Center they have them (cameras) all over the place. That's kind of ridiculous."

Conway said she is looking out for the best interests of the students while at the gym.

"We pay for this facility," Conway said. "This facility is for you."

She said people who do not attend UNM frequently try to gain access to the gym. She said it is unfair to students when people who do not pay for the gym's services try to sneak by. She said it is a common occurrence to turn people away when they don't have their Lobo card.

"I say no and people get really, really angry," she said. "They get mad at me for making them get a pass."

She said people try and gain access through the rear entrance after being turned away by her. Because of the video surveillance system she can still see the other entrances.

"If I see them, I'll radio it in," she said.

Jim Todd, associate director of recreational services, said the cameras are in place to monitor activity space.

"We don't monitor the locker rooms or classrooms," Todd said.

If an emergency is witnessed through the cameras, an emergency action plan is enacted.

"The proper authorities are notified," he said. "All of the student staff is certified in first aid."

"Every perimeter door is alarmed. If someone comes in, the alarm goes off. We can capture that individual on video," he said.

Starr Gorman, a transfer student from Las Vegas, Nev., said she didn't even know the cameras were around.

"I've never had anything bad happen to me," she said. "Of course I've never been here at night."

She said she felt safe, but wouldn't come on campus at night because she didn't know the area.

Conway said monitors could also be viewed by Todd and other staff members in a back office. She said the cameras are linked to monitors at the SUB, where other employees can see what's going on in the gym.

"I think it's creepy," Perry said. "It's a threat to privacy."

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