USC Releases New Security Measures In Wake Of Halloween Shooting
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The University of Southern California announced new security measures Tuesday in the wake of a Halloween shooting on campus that injured four people.
Brandon Spencer, 20, of Inglewood, is accused of opening fire following an argument outside a party held at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center on Oct. 31.
Spencer, a security guard, pleaded not guilty Monday to four counts of attempted murder.
"Immediately following the incident, I directed USC's leadership to conduct an expedited review of our campus security and event policies," USC President C. L. Max Nikias said.
The new rules, which bar the use of outside party promoters and increased ID checks at campus entrances, were sent out to USC students, faculty and employees Tuesday.
The guidelines restrict outsiders from entering the school after 9 p.m. unless they're a student, faculty member, or an invited guest.
Security guards will also be at residence halls 24 hours a day.
"We will increase the number of Public Safety officers and yellow jacket ambassadors on the perimeter of campus, at entrances and on campus, as we already have in the neighborhoods around the campus," Nikias said.
Nikias continued, "I feel very strongly that the safety and security of our entire campus community outweighs small inconveniences, such as showing an ID when we enter the campus at night or on weekends."
Student Spencer Brown supports the rules because dorm rooms in his residence hall were burglarized.
"The dangers of that are far worse than the inconveniences of having to carry your ID with you at all times…and having to pick up your guests instead of allowing them to walk in. Last year we had multiple occurrences where individuals were able to enter the dorm at night," Brown said.
USC will also install additional security cameras on the perimeter and at campus entrances.
The rules will be implemented by campus security immediately.
Additional measures will go into effect after winter break in Jan. 2013.
The Oct. 31 shootings come six months after two USC graduate students from China were fatally shot in a botched robbery blocks from the South Los Angeles campus.
RELATED STORY: Suspects Plead Not Guilty In Murders Of 2 USC Students
