Professional Security at McNally Smith College of Music

As the father of an MSCM student, I consider this a serious issue, one that cannot wait until budget review in December. It needs to be addressed immediately, proactively, by calling a special meeting of the board of directors if need be. Waiting to take corrective action is a definite liability, one the school can ill afford. The cost of full-time security personnel is nothing compared to the amount involved in lawsuits if something happens to a student, staff member or visitor before the situation is resolved. The school administration has been made aware of the problem; any inaction on their part is purely and simply negligent. I hold the college responsible for my daughter's safety while she is on campus.

To ignore this issue and not resolve it will cause nothing but regret when someone is seriously harmed. It will also harm the school in losing quality students who will go elsewhere.

I've been approached many, times by potentially dangerous individuals on and around school grounds. Many times I have felt unsafe walking around the school grounds because of suspicious people in the vicinity. There is presently nothing stopping dangerous people from entering the school from one of the unlocked entrances. People are also far too willing to hold the door open for people they don't know. Dangerous people can easily walk in one of the unlocked entrances and be let into other locations of the school simply by waiting long enough near one of the locked entrances. Please, for the safety of myself, other students, and professors, hire some professional security.

The area holds two homeless shelters and two apartment buildings that accept sex offenders (many). These are within blocks of the school and harassment has become a norm in the yard as well as in the open-entries/floors of the building. Examples: At the History Theater entrance, a man became violent after I refused to give him a cigarette. This has happened twice. In the front entrance a man was awaiting students and preaching racism; he followed me for about 4 blocks when I told him he was a practicer of douchism. Consistently people are nodding off on the yard of McNally, and I've witnessed quite a few crack deals go down on the east entrance/southeast side of the building (dinosaur). I've walked/drove home many students post night recording sessions - young people (especially girls) carrying home expensive musical equipment alone after dark is NOT a good idea. Keep the shuttle going too. I'm not exaggerating.

i have been assaulted near the school, and more security will make me feel a lot safer.

We definitely need more security around the school. I carry pepper spray on me constantly and have a first degree black belt but I still don't feel safe walking back home at night. This should be a top priority. Our students, faculty, staff, and guests deserve to feel safe.

i would definitely feel a lot safer at school and around the school if we had professionals around.

i would definitely feel a lot safer at school and around the school if we had professionals around.

The important issue of safety on your college campuses should be a top priority. It’s no wonder young adults and their parents are listing safety along with class size, location, cost, and ranking when it comes to important factors when choosing a college, especially one located directly in the inner city! McNally! Make this a non-factor and reinstate security immediately!

It's certainly not very fun to be afraid walking home from school, or to be afraid right outside of school. That being said, it's even worse feeling unsafe IN the school. I don' t think there is enough security at all. I feel this is so important for the well being of all staff and students.

Quality, professional campus security services should be a priority during budget planning. In no way should the students of MSCM be relied upon to provide campus security.

Make my daughter safe please

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Downtown Saint Paul is a hotspot for activity due to the neighborhood and the multiple homeless shelters in the area that close through out different times in the day forcing derelicts to be on the move. Partner that with the light rail station and mcnally is constantly at risk of crime at all times in the day and night. People act like the school grounds are a public place and I myself would say 60-70 percent of the time I'm outside the cedar street door I'm approached for something by someone who has no business being on the property. If you factor the percentage rate of being approached while outside on campus and add it to the crime rate, Everyone of us really then is playing Russian roulette with who will be the next victim, you can be 100% sure sooner or later something bad will happen to an undeserved student or staff member.

This has been needed for years! And patrons/employees/volunteers of The History Theatre will benefit as well.

As a visitor, I have noticed more transient individuals in the area. No student, staff or visitor should have to be fearful of attending or working at this academic institution.

As a recent graduate, I feel this is a must

To create a learning environment where all of us can successfully thrive we need to feel safe day and night, during the week and on the weekends. I think this is a step in the right direction.

Every college needs professional security. This school, in an urban center is no exception. For the safety of the students and the faculty, please fix this ASAP.

I have been physically assaulted on campus here before by strangers. I have been followed home from this campus, before the light rail was even built, and had to call police who couldn't do much until I was already in dainger. And for the love of god I always tried to raise awareness about the need for security cameras and somehow buying new furniture and replacing the front desk was more important than my safety. I paid over 10,000 a semester, easily $15k. So.. How are security cameras and ONE security gard not affordable? HELLO. 2 SSL DUALITYS AND NO SECURITY. Funny. Not "haha" funny, but sickening funny.