WSU Pullman receiving security upgrades thanks to $3 million grant

A $3 million federal grant will be used to help enhance safety and security measures on the Washington State University Pullman campus.

The WSU Pullman Safety Enhancement Project grant will pay for the addition of 120 cameras on the campus, bringing the campus total to approximately 420. Remote door access control is also being added to more than 60 doors in high student traffic areas, including the Compton Union Building and Terrell Library.

The university is evaluating potential vendors to carry out the upgrades, with work expected to begin early next year.

"We're grateful for the efforts of our External Affairs and Government Relations team for their work with our partners in Washington D.C. to get this additional funding to address security needs in Pullman," WSU Police Chief Gary Jenkins said.

New security cameras will help expand and augment coverage of the Pullman campus, including sites with critical infrastructure or potential security threats such as the Nuclear Science Center, as well as a greater number of parking lots. Nine student and family housing apartment complexes will also be receiving new security cameras as part of the project in response to concerns raised by the Graduate and Professional Student Association in recent years.

Potential safety issues raised by GPSA were among the factors that prompted Jenkins to work with the Office of Federal Engagement and External Affairs to craft an appeal for federal funding toward campus safety. WSU submitted a Congressionally Directed Appropriations Request, which was adopted by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rogers before leaving office as one of her fiscal year 2024 community projects.

Congress passed an appropriations bill with the request in March, with the WSU Police Department being awarded the $3 million grant on Sept. 30. The $3 million WSU received as part of the 2024 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services' Technology and Equipment Program is the largest award granted to an agency in the state of Washington, with the total awarded nationwide topping $240 million.