BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College officials are looking to improve campus safety with two policies adopted Wednesday. The policies create a campus safety committee and allow for video monitoring.

"The purpose is to establish a campuswide committee responsible for safety," said college trustee Bob Smith. The three-page policy also sets a protocol to review safety procedures.

As an added benefit, Smith said, the college might see a reduction in insurance costs.

The first safety committee meeting is set for next week.

The committee will be charged with creating policies, including documenting accidents, locating safety hazards, encouraging participation in safety-related activities and identifying unsafe working conditions.

A second policy permits for video cameras to monitor activity on campus.

"This establishes a policy for how video monitoring happens on this property," Smith said.

BC3 President Nick Neupauer said some video monitoring already is done in the newly opened Student Success Center. He said there are plans for video monitoring to be expanded to other parts of campus, particularly parking lots and walkways, as funding becomes available.

The policy requires areas monitored to be posted with a notice. It allows school employees to monitor the video, but prohibits them from disseminating any video without proper authorization from the college or law enforcement.

Neupauer said the emergency response committee has in the past done many of the duties the safety committee will do.

"We've really emphasized campus safety," he said.

The board of trustees adopted the polices Wednesday pending review by the solicitor and the insurance carrier.