Swift FIU police response in two recent cases keeps campus safe

Florida International University police arrested two juveniles earlier this week in conjunction with an armed robbery in front of the Green Library.

Officer Matthew Halfhide patrols Maidique Campus.

At around 4:30 a.m. on June 29^th, FIU police say the two suspects approached a recent FIU College of Law graduate studying for his bar exam, stole his laptop and fled campus. FIU Police, working with the Sweetwater Police Department, arrested both suspects within hours.

In an unrelated matter several weeks ago, FIU police making a routine traffic stop at Maidique Campus found a weapon and several rounds of ammunition in the student’s car.

In both incidents, FIU police say proper training and swift action diffused the situations without the need to activate the university’s emergency systems.

“No students were ever in danger in either incident,” Lt. Rick Torres said. “In both cases, FIU police reacted quickly and kept the situation from affecting the rest of the university. Students, faculty and staff are safe. Fortunately, incidents such as these are extremely rare on our campuses.”

FIU has redundant communication systems to alert the community in case of imminent danger. Neither of these events triggered the system because at no point was the university community in danger. The systems in place to alert the community are: 

• Every classroom is equipped with two-way emergency phones
• The Cisco IP phones throughout campus have broadcast capabilities
• Common areas, including student housing, are equipped with loud speakers
• Each suite in the residence halls has emergency call boxes
• Emergency call boxes also are installed throughout campus and in parking areas
• Panther Alert, which is a text messaging system, can instantly send out a message to everyone who has registered their phone number. To register your number, click here.
• FIU’s website, e-mail system and electronic signs can also be used to relay important information

 “We would immediately activate our emergency communication plan were there an individual on campus who we believed could do harm to our community,” said Torres. “We take every incident seriously and will use appropriate measures to respond to each emergency. Our community policing, around the clock patrols and our emergency training keeps this university safe.”

The two juveniles, as well as the FIU student found to have a weapon on campus, were taken to Miami-Dade County jail. The FIU student’s actions are being reviewed by appropriate university authorities. Federal law prohibits the university from divulging specific details about a specific student’s case.

Anyone with any questions or concerns should call the FIU Police Department at 305-348-2626.