Public Safety for the safety of the public
The Public Safety officers at Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus have a daily objective — to serve and protect the students and faculty on campus.
Chief Constable Galen Purcell leads his fellow officers in this endeavor. Purcell, along with all 12 of his officers, are retired law enforcement along with one military veteran.
At the Owens Campus there are eight public safety constables and six officers. Purcell trains his officers on a regular basis to keep them ready for anything.
The constables require more training than the Public Safety officers because they have more responsibility with carrying a weapon instead of the club and mace that the public safety officers carry.
Because of this training, Public Safety officers prepared to aid the police in the capture of Shaylan Hunt, 24, one of the fugitives pursued on campus causing a lockdown on Nov. 3.
Angelica Tucker, a sophomore studying Elementary Education, has used the resources provided by the college Public Safety from the protection they provide as well as helping her when she locked her keys in her car.
“I feel safer with the presence of the public safety on campus. I have late classes and often have them walk me to my car,” Tucker said. “When I locked my keys in my car, it was really cold outside and I was already late for my class. They helped me and were so nice about it.”
Public Safety patrols the campus looking to help and protect the student and faculty with a variety of services. Everything from unlocking a car with the keys locked in it to ensuring the safety of everyone on campus.
“We aren't teachers, but we help the students in other ways. We are doing our part to ensure the success of the students here,” Purcell said.
Public Safety Constable Vonzell Starnes has served at all three Delaware Tech campuses over the past 11 years, having been at Owens Campus for the past four.
“The best part is knowing everyone feels safe when you're around and getting to know the students,” Starnes said.
The main Public Safety office is located in Room 199 of the William C. Jason Technology center. Photo by H. McQueen
Video by H. McQueen