SECURITY

UMS-WRIGHT SAFETY AND SECURITY

UMS-Wright strives for excellence in everything that we do and this certainly applies to the safety of our students and the school campus. Currently the security staff consists of four security guards, two who serve on the day shift and two who serve on the night shift, so that guards are on campus during both the school day and evening activities. Security arrives on campus before sunrise each morning and immediately checks for vandalism, property damage, and anyone or anything suspicious prior to the arrival of students and faculty on campus. Then, Mr. Bitterman, senior security guard, is positioned at the entrance on Old Shell Road and visually conducts pattern matching/threat detection on vehicles entering during carpool. The other day shift security guard, Mr. Swann, monitors vehicles on the Mobile Street exit and entry points and also facilitates safe entry and exit to the campus by pedestrians and automobiles.

During the regular school day, campus access is limited to one entry point so that guards can engage with guests, contractors, and vendors who have not been identified by a valid vehicle decal that UMS-Wright parents, students, and staff have on their automobiles. As part of his daily routine, Director of Campus Security Garrett Humphrey performs regular walk-through assessments in the Upper School and Middle School hallways as well as observing high concentration areas such as the cafeterias during lunch and morning break. Mr. Humphrey also walks through the Lower School campus and playgrounds daily as well so that the youngest of UMS-Wright’s students will recognize him and consider him a friend and protector. In addition, the security guards are also highly visible as they escort visitors to the appropriate destinations, perform frequent campus patrols, and monitor the campus in person or by viewing the feeds from the numerous , nearly 70, video cameras located on campus. These practices are followed by both the day shift and the night shift security teams and rapid response to any point on the campus where security is needed is possible. Not surprisingly, the security guards are the last to leave the campus each night after they have secured the buildings, the entry gates, and have checked the security cameras.

One of UMS-Wright’s greatest assets is Director of School Safety, Deputy Garrett Humphrey, who is a full time APOST law enforcement officer. As a result, Deputy Humphrey is authorized to function as a first responder to any emergency on campus. His experience and training include 13 years in law enforcement, and he has served the Mobile community as a Police Officer and Sheriff’s Deputy. As a law enforcement professional, he has been a part of the Special Operations Directive Unit, a S.W.A.T. team member, a Waterborne member, and a Training Instructor in hand-to-hand combat. Also, Deputy Humphrey has worked alongside the U.S. Marshals' Service, the DEA, the ATF, and FBI task forces. His training and experience have helped Deputy Humphrey prepare UMS-Wright’s faculty and students for emergencies by implementing monthly emergency drills and emergency notification updates. Finally, Deputy Humphrey has facilitated training and certification for faculty in CPR, AED, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed.

Another enhancement to UMS-Wright’s Security Staff will be the addition of Deputy Thomas Robb who brings a wealth of experience and professionalism after serving as a member of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. He has served in the Office of Special Operations Division, was a S.W.A.T. team member, and has worked alongside Federal Task Forces with the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA, and Secret Service.

In addition, he has specialized training with the FBI Counter Terrorism and Surveillance Unit as well as the DHS Surveillance Detection Unit. When he joins the UMS-Wright Staff, Deputy Robb will support Deputy Humphrey and provide additional coverage, response, and protection on campus as UMS-Wright continues to improve its school climate each year.