The emergency response protocol at Elon University has been modified to ensure campus officials are notified immediately of any incidents occurring near campus.
The change comes in response to an incident in December involving a student robbed at gunpoint at the Bank of America ATM on Williamson Avenue. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Dec. 11, but the campus was not notified until 2:30 the next morning.
According to Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of Student Life, Town of Elon Police responded to the scene and put out a “be on the lookout” notice for the robber, who fled on foot through the construction site of the Station at Mill Point, in the opposite direction of campus. While University Police were notified of the “BOLO,” they did not know a student was involved.
“Town police aren’t thinking to call us first,” Jackson said. “And campus police thought there was no danger (to Elon). The student's father eventually called security, which activated the system and I was notified.”
In the future, Jackson directed Town of Elon Police to notify Chuck Gantos, director of campus safety and police, no matter the situation and even when it is not known if a student was involved.
Jackson said he encourages all students to call 911 immediately, rather than friends or parents.
“Time is of the essence,” he said.