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   In light of the Virginia Tech shootings and a threat made toward the safety of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Campus Security will take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the campus on graduation day. 

   John Kidwell, chief of campus security, said extra officers will attend graduation, both from the campus auxiliary force as well as other agencies, including the Arkansas State Police. Kidwell also said the officers are at a heightened awareness level, and other precautions will be taken.  

   Some students and parents had voiced a concern about the safety of graduation since the Virginia Tech incident and the threat against UAM. 

   Mark Gober, sheriff of Drew County, said Paul Fong, a former UAM employee, has been charged with first degree terroristic threatening. According to Gober, Fong grew delusional while at work. An ambulance responded to check on him, and he was transported to the hospital where he became “combative.”  

   The hospital staff called for an officer to assist. When the officer arrived, Fong spit in his face. The officer arrested Fong for third degree battery. Then Fong allegedly made threatening comments regarding the safety of UAM. 

   “I hear about stuff like this in the news, but I never expected it to hit this close to home,” said Tricia Tadel, a sophomore education major. She also claimed to have reservations about attending graduation as a result of the incident. 

   To further ensure the safety of the campus, the Monticello police and Drew County sheriff’s department have started to patrol the campus.  

   Gober claims that deputies can be on campus within three minutes of a call.  

   “I want people to know that we have him in jail, and if he is released he will not be allowed back onto UAM.” 

   Kidwell said that each officer is trained and certified through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, which is the same requirement for police and sheriff’s departments throughout the state.

 

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