Kean, Union County Join National ‘Safe Place’ to Combat Hate

Kean became the first university in New Jersey designated a “Safe Place” under a national program that assures a safe environment for victims of hate, bullying and threats.

The Safe Place program, created to reach out to the LGBTQ community but available to anyone in need, was rolled out at Kean and throughout Union County on Thursday, October 13, at a gathering of law enforcement and Kean officials held at the University.

“We want to make Kean a Safe Place so our students, faculty, staff and visitors all feel confident knowing that we will not tolerate hate toward anyone,” said Jerry Calabrese, assistant director of the Department of Public Safety at Kean. “The rainbow colored placards are very obvious and will be displayed in the front windows of Safe Place locations in and around the campus. They tell everyone on campus that the people inside of these locations are trained and willing to help in an emergency.”

Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and county Sheriff Peter Corvelli, along with Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams, Commissioner Alexander Mirabella and dozens of municipal police took part in the launch event at North Avenue Academic Building. In the Safe Place program, participants, including businesses, display a decal designating they are a “Safe Place” and receive training to facilitate the program.

“Our Union County Safe Place program is designed to assist all victims of hate, bullying and bias offenses,” Daniel said. “Any individual who sees a Safe Place logo will know the establishment displaying the decal will provide a safe place where victims of these offenses can seek refuge while police are notified and arrive to assist them.”

The Safe Place initiative was developed by the Seattle Police Department to provide a place where members of the LGBTQ community and others can seek help when they feel bullied, harassed or threatened in any way. Seattle Police Officer Dorian Korieo was keynote speaker at the launch.

Calabrese began working with interns from Kean’s School of Criminal Justice to pursue the designation early this year. Separately, the county prosecutor’s office was working to involve all 21 municipalities in the county, plus the prosecutor’s office and sheriff. All law enforcement agencies in Union County have committed to the program and most are certified, Daniel said.

Kean was authorized as a Safe Place earlier this year, followed by Rutgers University. 

Kean Senior Vice President for Administration Michael Salvatore, Ph.D., delivered welcome remarks at the roll-out.

“Safe Place is more than just a space,” he said. “It’s safe people and a safe environment.”