On Tuesday, July 23, Monmouth University students received an email from Captain Dean Volpe stating that the Monmouth University Police Department (MUPD) headquarters has officially moved next to the Northwest Parking Lot, across from the Plangere Center Parking Lot.
Chief of MUPD, Milton Morris, said, “Our department has been in planning discussions with leadership for several years about the need to expand and modernize the police station to meet the needs of our community. Most notably, it was essential for our facilities to be fully ADA compliant. We had exceeded the useful life of the former building, so when the former Alumni House was vacated, it presented an excellent opportunity to adapt that space to meet our needs.”
The current police headquarters building previously served as Monmouth’s Alumni House; the Alumni House is now located at 400 Cedar Ave.
The previous location of police headquarters, at the corner of Norwood and Cedar avenues, directly across from the main campus dorm buildings, will be utilized for the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music.
Chief Morris explained that the new location of police headquarters will be beneficial to both the police force and the Monmouth campus community, “The station relocation has had a very positive effect for our department. The new facilities are modern and spacious, and more accessible for the University community. The additional space allowed us to construct proper investigation and interview rooms, evidence spaces, and gender-appropriate locker rooms for our officers.”
“Our new building is more centrally located for the campus community and provides accessible entry points that were not available in our old building. The new location also offers more and better parking for visitors to our offices. Our officers have responded positively to the upgraded facilities and are appreciative of the design changes that help to support the needs of modern policing,” Morris continued.
However, some students have concerns as the new location of MUPD headquarters is farther away from the main residence buildings.
Beyonce Carranza, senior communication student, said, “The headquarters being moved is such an inconvenience because it feels so isolated from everything. I think it causes a safety issue because it was moved farther away from the dorms, so in case of any emergency, it would take longer for MUPD to get there.”
Other students voice similar concerns, “I think there’s less access to campus since the police are moved further away. In other words, there’s an increased distance between campus activity and MUPD headquarters, which could be bad for any emergencies that could arise. For people who were to push the blue button safety light on campus, there could be a longer wait time which can be concerning,” explained Meghan Reilly, senior English student.
While some students have doubts about the new location of police headquarters, Chief Morris reassures students that the level of MUPD’s performance will remain the same, regardless of headquarter’s location, “It’s natural for people to be nervous or to have concerns when things change, but the office move did not change the way we patrol and secure the campus. As was previously the case, our officers actively patrol all areas of campus in vehicles, on bicycles, and on foot to ensure the safety of our community. I want all students to know that I am available to listen to and respond to their questions and concerns.”
