The Fall 2023 Public Safety Week runs from October 2-7. The goal is to inform the VSU community about safety measures on campus and continue important dialogue between students and public safety officers. There are several events taking place as part of Public Safety Week.

National Night Out is Tuesday, October 3, 2023

National Night Out

When: Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Front Lawn at VSU

About: This year National Night Out will include a helicopter landing, GBI Crime Scene truck, Georgia State Patrol & MCCD patrol vehicles, SGMC EMS, Lowndes County Fire will be present, the GOHS seatbelt convincer will also be on hand and more. There will also be various other organizations present, along with games, giveaways, free refreshments: food and drink etc. Special thanks to Kona Ice and Johnson Distributing for helping to make this event possible.

 

VSUPD Badge and Logo

VSUPD Open House

When: Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: VSUPD located in the Oak Street Parking Deck

About: Hosted by VSUPD Sergeant Kevin Cox, the Open House will include refreshments and attendees can meet and chat with VSUPD personnel and tour the facilities. The simulator will be running so attendees can see and use VSUPD's state-of-the-art technology that is utilized for training scenarios and de-escalation exercises.

Student CPR and Self Defense

Student CPR & Self Defense

When: Thursday, Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. for CPR and 5-7 p.m. for Self Defense
Where: VSUPD located in the Oak Street Parking Deck

About: VSUPD will host two classes for students. Sergeant Rebecca Leatherberry will be teaching CPR from 2-4pm for those wishing to be CPR trained. Then, from 5pm-7pm, Sergeants Balch and Cox will be offering a training class on self-defense / situational awareness. All students are welcome.

 

Special Olympics Fall Torch Run

Special Olympics Georgia State Fall Games

When: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Where: Freedom Park, 3795 Guest Road - Valdosta

About: VSUPD Sergeant Kevin Cox and a Special Olympics Georgia athlete will be starting the torch run again this year at the opening ceremonies of the fall games. Several other law enforcement agencies from other parts of the state will be participating as well. The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run was founded in 1981 by police officers in Wichita, Kansas to draw more attention to Special Olympics. 

VSUPD Faith & Blue Tailgate

VSUPD Faith & Blue Tailgate

When: Saturday, Oct 7 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: University Center Parking Lot

About: VSUPD will host a tailgate and outreach event with several student-based organizations. Faith & Blue is an initiative founded by Reverend Markel Hutchins in Atlanta. Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations. The initiative aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies.

 

To learn more about campus safety initiatives from the VSU Police Department, click here