AlliedBarton Security extends services to North Halls complex

By Emily Apisa
Collegian Staff
December 5, 2007

Beginning Nov. 19, AlliedBarton Security Services took over the North Halls Security Desk Receptionist Booth. Despite the personnel’s distinctive uniform appearance, no significant differences are anticipated as all policies and procedures associated with the SDR Booth will remain the same.

The decision to make the change stemmed from the fact that La Salle Safety and Security is often strained. Security is responsible for patrolling the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deter criminal activity.

Such a demanding schedule requires a comparatively large amount of workers, which the university was not able to support with the security staff it currently employs.

Outsourcing to another company was the best option to deal with this problem, according to director of student affairs, Jeffrey Hershberger.

AlliedBarton had been servicing La Salle at the Hayman Center and around campus, prior to their extension to North Dorms.

North Dorms received the new staff because students in that residence area are not required to swipe their ID at the front door, as is the situation at St. Edwards and St. Francis, before swiping at the turnstile.

North Dorms is also the only campus residence area adjacent to a public street.

Since AlliedBarton Security officers are required to wear uniforms, they will have a presence when on duty.

Prior to the booth change, an e-mail was sent out to students and staff informing them of the modification.

As to whether the alteration will have an effect on students, director of administrative services Jeff Hershberger said, “it shouldn’t at all.”

The new staff began working at the North Dorms SDR booth during the Thanksgiving break. Since this was a slow period for the desk, it served as a good time to introduce AlliedBarton personnel to the procedures.

La Salle’s new contract with AlliedBarton, which extends to spring 2008, provides greater flexibility for the University. If a security employee happens to callout sick, for example, AlliedBarton has additional staff to call in and cover that location.

According to Hershberger, this was financially the best bet for La Salle.

“There was a cost attached, but it was more cost effective to outsource these locations,” Hershberger said.

The current SDRs at North Dorms were reassigned to different booth locations including St. Edward, St. Francis, St. Miguel, St. Neumann and St. Basil Court.

As a result of AlliedBarton’s involvement with security in the past, the new addition to their responsibilities should transition smoothly.

“They are very much tied into what we are already doing,” Hershberger said.

apisae1@lasalle.edu