Construction of a security fence around the parking lot of Munger Annex, designed to protect students and their vehicles from theft and other criminal activity, will be completed before residents return from winter break in January, according to representatives of Albion facilities operations.

The fence, commissioned after several incidences of crime in the Munger lot over the past few years, has existed in an unfinished condition for more than two months, pending the delivery of some essential back-ordered parts, said Eric Beadle, technical services supervisor.

"The project was initiated at Sally Walker’s [dean of students and vice-president of student affairs] request," Beadle said. According to Ken Kolmodin, director of facilities operations, the decision to build the fence was made in late summer, but technical difficulties prevented it from being completed before the start of fall semester.

"The parts that control the gate, including the [student ID] card-readers, are back-ordered and we’ve had some communication issues with our electrical contractors," Beadle said.

Initiative for the fence was taken after it became apparent that the Munger lot was more susceptible to crime than other college-owned student parking lots.

"For two years in a row now, we’ve had a series of vehicles broken into [in the Munger lot]," said Ken Snyder, director of campus safety. "When we reviewed the video surveillance footage, we were surprised by the amount of pedestrian traffic walking through there. Because of Munger’s distance from campus, we thought it would be best for the students if they and their property were protected by a fence and a gate.

"There’s no guarantee it will eliminate crime, but it will make it much safer for students residing there."

The project’s plan provides for one gate for vehicles as well as two pedestrian gates, all of which shall remain open and unlocked during daylight hours. At a certain point in the evening, after dark, which has not yet been determined, all gates will be closed and will require the use of a resident’s student ID card to be opened.