New Campus Police Vehicles Help Increase Rapid Response, Even Smiles

Lt. Terri Buford stands alongside a new STLCC police vehicle.

It’s time to leave campus and head home.

You make your way through a snow-dusted parking lot, only to find your car won’t start. You dial 314-539-5999 for STLCC Campus Police. Moments later, an officer arrives and jump-starts your SUV.

While it’s common for STLCC Campus Police to respond swiftly to calls, their ability to respond to situations like this, and others, has increased since the College purchased five new police vehicles in August.

STLCC-Florissant Valley has two of the new vehicles, both are 2019 Dodge Durangos. Two patrol vehicles went to the Forest Park campus, and the remaining vehicle is at Meramec.

Lt. Terri Buford, STLCC-Florissant Valley Campus Police, said the vehicles were purchased to replace older vehicles and ensure reliability. The older vehicles, which ranged from a 2007 Chevrolet Impala to a 2012 Ford Fusion, may be used for surplus, the automotive technology and diesel technology programs at STLCC-Forest Park, or sold.

“Our vehicles have to be dependable and have enough room to carry the equipment needed for jump-starts, vehicle lockouts and transporting our students, staff and faculty if need be,” Buford said.

But use of the vehicles isn’t always a serious matter.

Buford, who started her STLCC career as a patrolman at STLCC-Florissant Valley in August 2010, recently transferred back to campus after having served the STLCC-Meramec, South County and Wildwood campuses.

She remembers at least one call that wasn’t an emergency in the traditional sense.

“A story comes to mind for me when I was working at Florissant Valley, and the Child Development Learning Center held a parade that all the children participated in,” Buford said. “One of the police vehicles was used to lead the parade from the CDLC parking lot up the road, up onto Parking Lot 19 and back down to the CDLC parking lot.”

Only time will tell how campus police will use the new vehicles to serve others in the future.

Learn more about services and resources provided by the STLCC Campus Police.