Highline has implemented a number of safety measures to protect students both on and off campus.
Highline’s security guards are responsible for the protection of students and employees within the confines of Highline. Guards are outfitted in uniforms and instructed to keep an active eye out for any suspicious activity.
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The campus security office has staff ready to help, located on the bottom floor of building 6.
The Public Safety department of Highline often hosts safety seminars and training to educate students on safety protocols.
“Highline College Department of Public Safety serves and supports our campus community to ensure a safe and secure environment. Public Safety is committed to a positive social and educational process for our students. We will provide professional services that value and respect community diversity at Highline College through partnerships with students and employees,” the Highline website said.
Some of Highline’s Public Safety department goals include a security presence, access control systems, and increased surveillance on campus.
”Public safety is very important. We serve ourselves by providing traffic control, emergency control, medical control, and even in the accidents,” said Highline Public Safety Officer Derek Dean.
Dean also said that although the security staff may find difficulties on some days on campus, they are still mindful of their position and duties.
“Sometimes it is so difficult to work due to weather conditions, but we are aware of our duties and we do our work wholeheartedly,” he said.
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The Department of Public Safety’s mission statement can be found right outside their office door.
Security guards also monitor and respond to any alarms. For example, if the parking lot has an access gate, they may also grant and deny access to vehicles incoming and leaving.
“Due to the construction in the East parking lot, we are required to control the traffic in the time period of 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.,” said Dean.
Some of Highline’s students have expressed that they feel more safe in the presence of security guards.
“On the last Halloween night, I was late to go home, it was very dark and then a security guard came and asked me if I needed help,” said Highline student Ermina Prasuaskaite.
Most college campuses have emergency call buttons or phones scattered across campus for students to utilize in the event of an emergency.
“While going back to my car which was parked in the East parking lot, a person was staring at me in a very different way and I was very scared of him. I got the information about emergency buttons in my intercultural class, I just pushed that button on the spot and I got help,” said Highline student Andrew Mutura.
It’s crucial to be ready in case a situation arises, even though danger may not always be your first thought. In the case of any emergency, Highline students may reach out to the Public Safety department for assistance and support.