Loh Backs O'Malley Gun Legislation, Looks to Extend Campus Police Reach
The University of Maryland president lays out administrators' response to last week's shooting in The Diamondback.
In a lengthy column from Thursday's issue of The Diamondback, University of Maryland President Wallace Loh urges state legislators to pass a series of gun control measures proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley and vows to expand campus police coverage to off-campus areas frequented by students.
Loh's comments come just over a week after two UMD students were killed and another injured in a College Park murder-suicide—an event that "pierced our community’s emotional armor and awakened our vulnerability."
"We are a campus family of some 37,000 students and 13,000 faculty and staff," Loh writes. "We must take thoughtful action together."
The president outlines several areas of concern and steps the university is taking in the aftermath of the shooting. Those include bolstering mental health resources and expanding the reach of the University of Maryland Police Department to include areas around campus where many students live.
Loh also writes that while he respects the second amendment, "strengthening regulations will save lives and need not strangle this right."
"As part of our university’s comprehensive approach to safety, I urge the General Assembly to enact the governor’s gun safety legislation," he adds.
morgan gale
7:31 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Wallace had it right about expanding the concurrent jurisdictions for umd police. Students live all over town and need the protection of increased police protection. The city and is citizens have stepped up and spent large sums of money to expand community police unit s. With expanded rental properties elsewhere in the city the current model had to change. This President"gets it".
Karen DeSha
10:31 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Morgan you 'hit the nail on the head' thank you for posting such a wonderful and intelligently stated comment. God bless....I remain Justin's momma
Karen DeSha
9:40 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Thank GOD Dr. Loh sees the necessity to protect the students [on and OFF Campus] and facility of UMd...Instituting measures to ensure safety and continued LIFE; however, much morestudies must be done as the times [and people] of our country change. We must bring back accountability for others, RESPECT FOR LIFE, stricter sentencing for criminals of violent crimes and STRICTER GUN LAWS. I am the CONCERNED momma of Justin DeSha-Overcash murdered UMd double major senior January 11, 2011 whom I miss with all of what remains of my heart.