Texas Southmost College has integrated a new Safety and Security Command Center on its campus. The new center increases security presence and partnerships among the college and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Safety and Security Command Center serves as an incident command post with a crisis communication room and conference room. Here, college officials and law enforcement can gather in case of natural or man-made disasters. The center is a result of the building of new law enforcement and emergency management partnerships.

TSC is working closely with the Brownsville Police Department, Department of Public Safety, United States Customs and Border Protection, and Cameron County Emergency Management. 

“These new strategies and partnerships have enhanced our safety and security on campus,” said Jamie Salazar, TSC’s executive director of Environmental Health, Security and Risk Management. “It has allowed us to network and provide training for agencies, which in turn lets them get familiar with our campus.” 

Salazar, who worked more than three decades in governmental safety and security, leads the command center located on Ridgley Road, The center was a vision of the TSC Board of Trustees and TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez.

“Although it’s still a work in progress, this center has been a year in the making,” said Salazar. “It has allowed us to fully integrate an enhanced emergency management system.”

Partnership Brings Even More Security

A hybrid security model has also been implemented on campus thanks to TSC’s partnership with the Brownsville Police Department. The model provides TSC with patrolling from both a security company and Brownsville Police Department off-duty police officers.

“The goal for TSC’s new emergency management system is to increase security, mitigate risk and maintain a safe environment for learning and working at TSC,” said Salazar. “With strategic direction from TSC leadership, we are moving in the right direction.”

Salazar is working closely with college administration on expanding TSC’s video surveillance system. They are improving access control for entrances and exits across campus.  

“The vision is to bring security and emergency technology, coordination and collaboration together,” said Salazar. “It has been an honor leading this new strategy and we look forward to expanding on our current resources.”