Homecoming is less than a week away, and Morgan State University has released its safety plan to prevent crime during any planned events.

Students — some who experienced the shooting last year and many who only heard about it — have voiced their concerns since then.

On Oct. 3, 2023, two shooters opened fire on Morgan’s campus and left five people injured. Within 24 hours, the university canceled or postponed the rest of homecoming activities but the incident still left many students apprehensive about this year’s events.

Ka’may Sterling, a junior sociology major at the time of the shooting, recounted her experiences to the Spokesman.

“All you heard was loud banging on the outside [of Murphy Fine Arts center] and then all you hear is loud banging on the outside and a crowd of people, like a large amount of people — old, young and everything running. Administration, alumni, family and students in general,” said Sterling.

The weeks and months following the incident produced multiple changes and upgrades to the university’s existing security infrastructure and on Sept. 27, Morgan Chief of Police Lance Hatcher shared the official security plan for this year’s homecoming via a campus-wide email and press conference the following day.

“We have developed a comprehensive Homecoming Security Plan to ensure that this year’s events proceed safely, smoothly and without disruption,” wrote Hatcher in the email. “As the Chief of Police for Morgan State University, I assure you that the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority.”

Hatcher’s plan includes five overall areas of concern: technology-enhanced security; signage and communication; building and campus closures; traffic and parking; and what security will expect of attendees.

Rules for attendees are as follows:

• Weapons are prohibited on campus.
• Marijuana use is strictly prohibited on campus.
• Clear bag protocols are in effect to enter the stadium.

Safety measures associated with these areas include aerial and ground surveillance, increased presence of police and security personnel, limited access to campus, building closures, and parking procedures.

“We had ample police and security presence. We’ve had good plans with my department [and] other departments across the campus. Even if we had 1,000 police officers on campus, there’s always an opportunity for something to happen somewhere,” said Hatcher. “Things are going to happen so our position and our posture is that we take every precaution. We have ample human capital, technology, and equipment to help prevent it.”

Technology-enhanced security & limited campus access

According to Hatcher, this will include “drone coverage”, a campus-wide security camera network of 1,400 camera nests with 3,100 views in total, license plate readers stationed on or around campus, weapon-detection software to analyze all live video feeds, mobile security camera towers and more than 200 security personnel on Morgan’s campus — which will include armed police officers, unarmed security officers and additional security staff from a third party.

If the software detects a weapon, the system will notify the dispatch center. MSUPD’s protocol is to respond immediately, engage the individual, confirm if that person is armed or unarmed, and then take legal action if necessary.

“Anywhere you are that’s outside of a private space … you should consider yourself on video,” said Hatcher.

Additionally, Hatcher said police and security staff will limit access to specific buildings before closing them in the afternoon and the rest of main campus after the game. The university will prevent entry to the Student Center at 2:30 p.m. and close the building at 3 p.m. Saturday.

A similar tactic will begin at 6:30 p.m. on campus after Saturday’s game ends. First, police and security personnel will limit access to campus and at 7:00 p.m., police and security personnel will encourage guests to leave without physical contact.

Guest Expectations, traffic and parking

Parking — which is a common concern among students — is “going to be a premium for homecoming,” according to Hatcher. The large crowds will likely exacerbate parking space scarcity and Hatcher said, anyone with parking passes to specific lots should use them.

Parking will be available in the North Campus Garage and along roadways if closer parking options aren’t available. MSUPD plans to work with Baltimore City Police to discourage illegal parking.

“We’re pleading with attendees — faculty, staff, students, visitors, alumni — that if they see something that’s suspicious, we want to know,” said Hatcher. “You guys and everybody else are force multipliers. We can only be in so many places. We’re going to rely on everyone else to kinda let us know if they see something suspicious.”

Hatcher also said MSUPD is working with several units on campus to ensure homecoming is as organized as possible — which will include a large presence of police and security officers, informational signs, and prominent displays of security procedures on campus.

The added police and security presence will not extend to Marble Hall and Morgan View during the day but it can extend to them in the evening and overnight, said Hatcher.

“We want this to be a safe homecoming and we are doing everything humanly possible to make this a safe homecoming,” said Hatcher. “We rely on our community members to partner with us to make sure we have a safe homecoming … if you see something, say something.” 

Anyone who observes anything suspicious can report it to campus security by calling 443-885-3103.