Sheriff’s deputies to patrol SCCC college campus

Security beefed up as semester begins

By FRITZ MAYER

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Security at the college is being beefed up this year with the addition of a new security officer and a new partnership with the county Sheriff’s department.

At a gathering of student dormitory resident assistants and security personnel at Sullivan County Community College (SCCC), Sheriff Mike Schiff said that a deputy would be on patrol on the campus and in the dormitory from 6:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m., beginning Monday, August 28.

Dwain Joseph, a resident assistant, suggested that the deputy should stay later on Thursdays, which are event nights, because students come back to the dorm late and that’s when the most violations of the rules occur.

Schiff said that officers’ schedules may be made as officials assess the effectiveness of the partnership between the Sheriff’s department and SCCC security in the coming months.

In another security measure, security chief David Seigerman said another position is being added to the college security staff.

After the meeting, Joseph, a second-year student at SCCC, said the presence of the deputy on campus would be welcome because fights or arguments in the 320-bed dorm sometimes erupt, and “a few” students can get a little out of hand.

He recalled an incident last year when a female student was drunk and having an argument with her roommate. The incident escalated to the point that the woman was removed from the building in handcuffs.

Another student, Larelle Gee, who is also a resident assistant, said the problems at the dorm were minor, but agreed that the introduction of a deputy to the campus was a welcomed development.

The college and the Sheriff’s department first began working together at basketball games last year. When SCCC played other schools, sometimes the crowds got overenthusiastic and some feared that fights might break out. Joseph said the presence of a deputy at the games had a calming effect on the fans.