Cooper University Hospital and Rowan University have entered into an agreement that will enhance public safety on the Camden Health Sciences Campus. According to this agreement, Rowan will provide law enforcement officers for the campus surrounding the hospital and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, which is currently under construction.
Emphasis will be given to Camden Police Officers who were recently laid-off from their jobs.
“The area around Cooper’s campus has always been safe, but as we expand our footprint, increasing our security presence becomes an important aspect of our progress,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board at Cooper University Hospital.
“Our two South Jersey institutions have laid the ground work for collaboration in medicine, education and now an increased community presence,” said Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D., Provost of Rowan University. “Cooper Medical School of Rowan University will serve as a model for future inner city anchors working together to bring great change to a city in need.”
“The safety and security of patients, visitors, staff and students is a priority at Cooper University Hospital, and we have always been diligent in ensuring that our Health Sciences Campus is safe,” adds John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO of Cooper. “As the medical school nears completion and the foot traffic in the neighborhood grows, the presence of law enforcement personnel will significantly benefit the entire neighborhood. “
The Cooper Health Sciences Campus includes the areas around Cooper University Hospital, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Ronald McDonald House and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper has a large force of experienced security officers who patrol the campus around-the-clock, both on foot and in vehicles, to ensure a safe environment. Last year, Cooper also contracted with the Camden County Sheriff’s office for supplemental uniformed officers to help patrol the Health Sciences Campus throughout the week. The Rowan force will replace the supplemental county security force.
The Rowan law enforcement program is expected to launch in Spring 2011.
Some papers are saying the force won’t be in effect until the new Rowan class matriculates in 2012. What is Cooper doing in the meantime for current employees/students/residents/doctors?
Thanks for visiting our blog.
You can find more information about our ongoing security efforts and safety on the Cooper campus @ http://blogs.cooperhealth.org/news/2011/01/a-message-about-safety-on-the-cooper-campus/
Some highlights:
“Cooper has a large force of experienced Security Officers. These officers patrol the Cooper campus around –the-clock, both on foot and in vehicles, to ensure a safe environment.”
“To supplement Cooper’s security force, last year Cooper contracted with the Camden County Sheriff’s office. Their uniformed officers help patrol the Health Sciences Campus throughout the week. In addition, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey also has a police force on Cooper’s Health Sciences Campus which patrols the area.”
“There are over 200 security cameras in operation throughout the Health Sciences Campus, and the DRPA and NJ Transit Police monitor the Walter Rand Transportation Center directly across the street from the hospital.”
I understand you have security around the hospital, but I am worried about coming to the hospital. I do not have a helicopter to drop me off. The highways to get to the hospital are more dangerous now then they were 4 weeks ago, and they we not that safe then. Want you be the safest route to get to the hospital?
Hi Mike… Our hospital is located .6 miles from exit 5A of Interstate 676. You literally get off the highway, bear right at the bottom of the ramp and you’re looking at the hospital. Our parking garage and valet parking is right off MLK Boulevard, which is the road the ramp from I-676 puts you on.
I’ve been an employee at Cooper for almost 9 years and can honestly say that I have never had an issue of any kind, coming, going or parking at the hospital. In fact, I’ll be there in a month with my wife and 3-year-old daughter for the birth of my second daughter. Extremely nervous about how I’m going to juggle two kids, but getting to and from the hospital isn’t even something I’ve given thought to beyond making sure our bags are packed.