Professional Security at McNally Smith College of Music

Music gear is usually the most precious thing a musician can own, livelihoods and dreams are at stake, secure the facility!

Dear students, parents, and colleagues: I am writing to inform all members of the McNally Smith community that the college has decided to take steps to provide a uniformed, professional security presence on campus. We know that safety and security has become a growing concern within our community, and we want to be responsive to our students, their parents, and fellow colleagues on any and all issues that pertain to safety. Please know that campus security is of the utmost importance to us, and we have never taken these issues lightly. We are in regular communication with the St. Paul Police Department seeking their help, support, and advice on how to improve the security of our campus environment. Following their advice, we installed an extensive network of video cameras, electronic door locks, and have a very active campus security committee, all of which have contributed to campus safety. To further ensure the safety of our students and visitors at this time, we will be contracting with an outside firm to provide additional security measures. Specifically, we will have two security guards regularly patrolling campus. This service is tentatively planned to begin during the week of June 1 and will provide coverage Monday through Friday when the college is in session, as well as during some weekends and special events. Also, as a reminder, we currently offer shuttle service that runs every half hour Monday through Friday from 9:00 p.m. to midnight, as needed, during the summer semester, and seven days a week during the fall and spring. Safety or security concerns can be sent to Campus Safety Director Jeff Aalbers at 651-361-3320 ([email protected]). More information regarding campus safety and security, including tips for staying safe in downtown St. Paul while attending McNally Smith, can be found online at www. Mcnallysmith.edu/safety-security. A college is a highly complex environment and the decisions to allocate resources are never ea

I was a student worker for two years while I attended McNally Smith. There were often times men who weren't students or faculty that would hang out outside the entrance to the building and would sometimes wander inside. I would have felt safer as a woman, student and employee if there had been proper security. Students' safety should be of number one importance, especially because of its location.

As an alumni of this school, I can say that I've experienced the sketchiness that St. Paul can exhibit after normal business hours. I'm surprised McNally has ignored this issue, and it absolutely needs to be addressed.

As a security professional of over 22 years and currently a police chief. I strongly support this initiative!

I have gone to Mcnally since 2005. I was planning on going back for my last and final year this fall. They will lose my tuition if they don't get this fixed

Don't go here anymore, but I could see this problem evolving when I did.

I think this is an extremely important issue and I hope that it is resolved very expeditiously.

I am familiar with some students with some harrowing stories.

not a huge fan of mugging

Please keep the students safe!!!!

I have feared for my daughter’s safety for some time, but after reading comments posted here, it is clear that the situation is even more dire than I had originally thought. In addition, she has recently shared information regarding incidents that have occurred that I find truly alarming. How student and staff safety were allowed to become a secondary concern is beyond comprehension and how it is allowed to continue is unconscionable.

I don't want my friends getting mugged

I don't want Brittany to get mugged

I've seen firsthand the need of security at this site.

It's stupid that we have to worry about walking home at night, having our personal items/instruments being stolen, and the personal safety of an individual. The fact that this hasn't been addressed sooner makes me sick. How many people have to be injured, assaulted, or worse just to get this noticed by administration?

Long overdue! No school budget is too tight to keep students safe.

Bruh

Things suck downtown. Lotta crackheads around and we're all broke enough as is. Being robbed sucks. St. Paul crackheads are becoming more and more bold as they realize people around won't really do shit if they pester anybody. Downtown has started getting pretty bad lately. The least the college could do is get a shuttle going for those of us carrying expensive gear. Guitars don't do well in fights. How much would it realistically cost to have some better security?