Bridging the Gap

Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell

The University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department has created a podcast to better connect with students, employees, and parents to increase understanding of various safety topics and the department's services.

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  1. From Drills to Real Emergencies: How UC Prepares for Fires

    7월 1일

    From Drills to Real Emergencies: How UC Prepares for Fires

    In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Officer Darryn Chenault and Public Information Officer Kelly Cantwell sit down with UC Fire Inspectors Rob Schrand and Mike Walker to talk about what it really takes to keep the University of Cincinnati safe from fire. Listeners will learn: What UC’s Fire Prevention Unit does across all campuses, including inspecting more than 140 properties, coordinating with Facilities, Emergency Management, and alarm technicians, and working with outside fire departments. The difference between a fire alarm and a fire drill – how UC’s alarm systems work, why drills are required, and what happens behind the scenes when an alarm goes off. Why you should never ignore a fire alarm, even if you think it’s “just a drill” or “probably burnt popcorn,” and how staying in your room puts first responders at risk. Common ways fire alarms and sprinklers are set off in residence halls – from macaroni without water and burnt popcorn to real Christmas trees and hanging clothes (or boom boxes) on sprinkler heads – and how to prevent costly and dangerous flooding. Key safety tips for students and employees, including knowing two exits, recognizing stairwells and exits, locating fire extinguishers, and accessing UC’s online fire extinguisher training and building-specific evacuation procedures. Whether you live in a residence hall, work in an office or lab, or just pass through campus buildings every day, this episode will help you understand your role in fire safety—and why responding to alarms the right way protects not just you, but the entire UC community.

    27분
  2. Keeping Bearcats Safe: A Conversation with UC Police Chief Eliot Isaac

    4월 2일

    Keeping Bearcats Safe: A Conversation with UC Police Chief Eliot Isaac

    In this episode of Bridging the Gap, hosts Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell sit down with University of Cincinnati Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Eliot Isaac for an in-depth conversation about leadership, service, and keeping an urban campus safe. With 37 years in law enforcement—including serving as Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department—Chief Isaac reflects on his journey from patrol officer to city chief, and now to leading the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department. He shares what inspired him to continue serving after retiring from CPD, what makes campus policing unique, and how his deep roots in Cincinnati shape his approach to protecting students, faculty, and staff. The conversation explores the realities of safety at an urban university. Chief Isaac explains how UCPD works closely with CPD through a memorandum of understanding that allows for seamless collaboration and coordinated response in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Listeners will also hear about proactive safety efforts, community engagement, expanding the university’s footprint in key areas, and the broader scope of public safety—from fire prevention to access control. Above all, Chief Isaac emphasizes a simple but powerful philosophy: be helpful, stay engaged, and always put the community's safety first. Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or community partner, this episode offers an inside look at how UC is working every day to create a safer, stronger campus community.

    20분
  3. Building Trust Through Standards: What Accreditation at the UCPD Means for Our Community

    3월 2일

    Building Trust Through Standards: What Accreditation at the UCPD Means for Our Community

    In this episode of Bridging the Gap, UC Public Safety goes inside the world of police accreditation — what it means, why it matters, and how it strengthens trust, transparency, and professionalism. Chief of Staff John DeJarnette joins the conversation alongside Nicole Haberer, UCPD’s Clery Compliance Specialist, to discuss the University of Cincinnati Police Division’s continued commitment to excellence. After earning accreditation through International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) in 2019 and reaccreditation in 2023, UCPD is now pursuing accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. From the state level, Ed Burkhammer, Director of Law Enforcement Services with the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, and Program Manager Charity Detty-Wingo explain how Ohio built a first-of-its-kind accreditation program designed to remove common barriers like cost, staffing, and access to resources — making high standards attainable for agencies of all sizes. Listeners will hear how accreditation goes beyond “checking a box.” The discussion explores: How outside assessors review policies, facilities, and training Why annual use-of-force analysis drives better officer training The importance of culture in sustaining excellence How accreditation supports officer wellness and accountability What this means for students, parents, faculty, and staff At its core, this episode highlights a shared commitment: ensuring the UC community is served by a police department that actively pursues best practices and continuous improvement. Whether you're a parent sending a student to campus, a member of the UC community, or simply interested in how law enforcement agencies elevate professional standards, this conversation offers an inside look at how UCPD is working to raise the bar — and keep it there.

    30분
  4. Campus Safety in Focus: The Role of Cameras at UC

    1월 2일

    Campus Safety in Focus: The Role of Cameras at UC

    We’re kicking off 2026 with a deep dive into campus safety and technology on this episode of Bridging the Gap. Hosts Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell are joined by Kawanda Dedrick-Thomas, Director of Technical Operations for Public Safety IT, and Noah Rezene, Project Coordinator, to break down how cameras, access control, and digital infrastructure help keep the university community safe. From how camera locations are selected using crime data, to what DTS (Digital Technology Solutions) actually does, to the role of AI-powered analytics, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the systems working behind the scenes every day. The team discusses partnerships with public safety, coordination across campus units, privacy considerations, camera maintenance, and why cameras are about deterrence and safety—not surveillance. Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or just curious about how modern campus security works, this episode offers an insightful and approachable look at the teamwork and technology protecting the community. Chapters (00:00:00) - Happy New Year with Public Safety Personnel(00:00:47) - Projects and Operations, Technical Operations(00:02:24) - DTS and Public Safety: How Do They Work Together?(00:04:47) - Deciding where to place a camera on campus(00:07:09) - How Do You Manage UCPD's Security Cameras?(00:10:03) - How Can Crime Scene Cameras Help UC Police?(00:13:15) - Public Safety: Security Cameras on Campus(00:17:47) - Facial Recognition on Security Cameras

    21분

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The University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department has created a podcast to better connect with students, employees, and parents to increase understanding of various safety topics and the department's services.

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