By: Adeniyi Latinwo, May 15, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona’s University Police Department arrested a person who was loitering near a restroom at the University Plaza, according to a campuswide email sent by UPD May 14.
To keep the campus community safe during commencement ceremonies and prospective student tours, the UPD added additional surveillance cameras on trailers stationed throughout various on-campus locations, according to UPD.
UPD lieutenant Jose De Jesus Plasencia Jr. said the deployed camera trailers are located in areas where the department thinks they would be most useful for providing high visibility. According to Plasencia Jr., one of the main purposes of the cameras is to demonstrate the deterrence of wrongdoing.
“When someone walks around, you can really see the camera,” Plasencia Jr. said. “It lights up, and you can see the blue light around it. Right now, we have one deployed near the new residence hall near Parking Lot B to deter people traveling through campus to stay away from our parking lot.”
According to Plasencia Jr., the units have been a resourceful and insightful tool that have helped keep things in order at CPP.
The surveillance units will be most useful during graduation ceremonies, when CPP is set to host many guests.
“With a large number of people coming onto campus this month, we want to make sure we’re as safe as possible,” said Peter Hanink, a sociology professor. “Thousands of people come onto campus for graduation.”
Hanink, who said he’s a criminology specialist, has reassured the campus community that additional cameras on campus don’t constitute a violation of privacy.
“It is not in violation of anyone’s privacy either,” Hanink said. “They’re deployed in areas where there’s typically a large gathering of people.”
CPP economics student Pierre Jost said he believes cameras are an effective way to promote safety.
“I mean, you could never be too safe, right?” Jost said. “With the cameras being visible, I think people would be less encouraged to do something they are not supposed to if they’re aware that they’re being watched.”
Plasencia Jr. said UPD promotes safety on campus and advises students and faculty to be vigilant and alert at all times.
In the campuswide-sent email, UPD reminded faculty and staff to immediately report any suspicious activity to the department. The email also informed recipients to secure valuables by not leaving them visible in vehicles and ensuring windows and doors are secured.
Feature image courtesy of Aaliyah Murillo
