On October 22, 2018 at 9:55 p.m., 21-year old Lauren McCluskey was found dead inside the back of a car in the parking lot next to her University of Utah campus dormitory. She had been shot seven times.

That afternoon, Lauren’s ex-boyfriend Melvin Rowland had waited for Lauren in her resident hall for several hours. She was on the phone with her mother at 8:20 p.m. when Rowland confronted McCluskey, violently dragged her across the parking lot in front of her dorm, causing her to drop her phone and belongings. At 8:23 p.m. Matt McCluskey, Lauren’s father, alerted campus security that his daughter was in danger. It was too late.

It’s too late now, too: Rowland killed himself hours after McCluskey’s death and the man who loaned Rowland the gun he used was sentenced to three years in prison. But in the two years since McCluskey’s tragic death, details have emerged about McCluskey’s attempts to get protection from University police as she grew increasingly afraid of her stalker ex-boyfriend. Her pleas for help were ignored. McCluskey’s family sued the university in federal court and in June 2020 filed a second lawsuit, contending that, just weeks before she was murdered, a police officer in whom Lauren McCluskey had confided she feared for her life shared nude photographs she had given him with officers not involved in the matter.

When Lauren McCluskey decided to attend the University of Utah, she was recruited to become a member of the Women’s Track & Field Team. She was a Washington State Champion in the high jump and ranked 10th in the heptathlon at the USATF Outdoor Junior Championships—she had several other colleges and scholarships to choose from. “Lauren was a star athlete from when she was a youth, climbing trees at the age of two,” says her mother, Jill McCluskey who, along with her husband Matt, is a member of the faculty at the University of Washington.

McCluskey’s teachers, coaches and teammates had a high respect and regard for her as a multi-event athlete, for maintaining a high GPA and as a person, “She was someone who really cared about other people and her friendships. Somewhat an introvert, if you got to know her you quickly found out that she was full of things to say, and genuinely cared about other people,” says her mother. Beyond athletics, she enjoyed karaoke singing and dancing with her closest friends. While attending the U, Lauren belonged to the Capital Church in downtown SLC, and would invite others to come along, encouraging them to sing.

She had lived in Salt Lake City a few years when she met Melvin Rowland at a popular downtown bar where Rowland was working as a bouncer. He told her that he was in the military and trained as a security officer, and afterwards they met up a few times. It wasn’t long before she discovered the truth: Rowland was on parole and on the sexual offender list. She confronted Rowland face to face in her dorm room, he owned up, and McCluskey formally ended their relationship.

But she continued to receive messages and threats from Rowland. His friends posted about his suicide—which was fake—on social media and blamed McCluskey as the cause. Rowland made frequent attempts (sometimes successful) to visit her at her university dorm. At one point, he demanded $1,000 from her to prevent him from posting explicit photos of the two of them. As Rowland’s actions escalated, McCluskey began voicing concerns to her immediate family and closest friends. Because Rowland was a con and highly manipulative, things were difficult to discern—she didn’t always believe he was a threat, or that her life was in danger, and she wished to take care of the situation by herself. But as friends can attest, she was growing more and more concerned and even frightened by his actions toward her.

Officer Miguel Deras presented her case to campus police on Oct. 12, 2018, to report she was being harassed. On Oct. 13, 2018, she reported extortion. The police, including Officer Deras, never investigated her claims. At some point, Deras called her with a strange request. He asked her to hand over some questionable and explicit photos mentioned in the case. As we now know, Deras downloaded those pictures onto his personal phone and was overheard boasting to colleagues, remarking about her looks and being cute.

Looking back, it’s easy to see many points where McCluskey’s murder could have been prevented. Her mother Jill McCluskey says, “The officers never checked Lauren’s killer’s offender status. After the police took her statement, they could have easily found out that Rowland was on parole and put him in jail right then. I just wish a responsible adult would have listened and believed. Rowland was on parole and could have been taken into custody.” On Oct. 19, 2018, McCluskey emailed detective Kayla Dallof with Rowland’s offender information. Dallof did not read the email until after Lauren was killed. According to Lauren’s friend Shelby Gonzalez, “On Thursday before we lost Lauren she asked me to come to the library to meet her because she needed help. She said the police didn’t believe her about her scary ex and she didn’t know what to do.”

It turns out that McCluskey was victimized not just by her killer. Lax dormitory security and a macho culture of minimizing coeds’ complaints also contributed to her death. McCluskey says, “The U has never admitted that Lauren’s death could have been prevented, or apologized or taken responsibility for their failures. It’s hard for them to change if they don’t acknowledge their failures, and that has to happen going forward.”

Too late for McCluskey, changes are coming about, somewhat ironically in a year when campus population and social interactions will drastically decrease due to the coronavirus.

Following McCluskey’s murder, teammate and friend Brooke Martin was in shock. But as time went by, she noticed that little or nothing was changing in campus safety or policy. Martin created a mural in McCluskey’s honor, and helped build a student-led coalition called “UnsafeU.” Since their first public protest on the first anniversary of McCluskey’s death, UnsafeU has been gathering and sharing stories of other mishandled cases. Martin says, “Students are demonstrating with their voices and standing up for what’s right and not forgetting, and not accepting the empty words or quick Bandaids from a system that’s completely broken,” says Martin.

Utah State Senator Jani Iwamoto has a long-standing interest in dealing with public safety issues and sexual assault. Since McCluskey’s murder many college students have contacted her wanting to talk about campus safety and problems like assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking. She says, “I am inspired by their activism, as many students have continued to express that they don’t feel safe and demand real change in their places of higher learning. We need safeguards in place to help our students.” Senator Iwamoto was the Chief Sponsor of S.B. 134, signed by Governor Herbert on May 19, 2019, a bill which outlines requirements and responsibilities for campus safety and requires institutions to share this information with the Legislature every year, to assess and find out what’s working and what’s not.

Senator Iwamoto says,“Lauren’s death, her pleas for help, of course, her tragic death does not go away, and nothing is going to work unless we have some real change with the police and policy, and that the students believe in it, because now there isn’t trust at all in them. Seamless communication is also important for the victims, because it’s hard enough to navigate where to go and what to do when they are going through an experience.” Senator Iwamoto also sponsored this year’s S.B. Bill 80 which focuses more specifically on communication between law enforcement, students, campus police dispatch and departments.

As a Communications major, Lauren was enrolled at the U in Professor Dan Clark’s Advanced Public Speaking class. Her final exam was a student presentation called the “Last Lecture—If you had only one hour left to live, what would you say?” Lauren was the first to volunteer. “While soft spoken, she delivered her speech in a profound way,” Clark says. “She shared her stories about being on the track team, the thrill of victory as well as her injuries and enduring disappointment and physical pain. Her message was one of keeping hope alive, that overcoming obstacles is part of life, and that practicing self-love is the way for you to fully love others.”

Over two years have passed since Lauren was found dead in the back of a car outside her campus dorm. There is still so much to be done, her friend Brooke Martin says. “Justice needs to be served and our demands need to be met—no student should ever be worried about being killed on campus.”

And Lauren’s story continues and gains momentum. On the first anniversary of her murder, led by a student organization called UnsafeU, 100 students walked out of their classes to protest how the university handled the Lauren McCluskey case, the misconduct of university police and other concerns reported by women.

And Sept. 3rd of the 2020-21 academic year started with another large on-campus rally from UnsafeU demanding the resignation of President Ruth Watkins for withholding evidence in this and other cases and calling for the abolition of the UUPD.

The Ongoing Battle for Campus Safety

The tragic case of Lauren McCluskey has become a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for campus safety across universities. The incident not only highlighted severe flaws in campus policing and safety measures but also sparked crucial conversations about necessary reforms. Since McCluskey’s murder in October 2018, there has been a noticeable push towards enhancing public safety and fostering a culture of trust within university settings.

In response to the tragedy, institutions like the University of Utah have taken significant steps to address their safety protocols. Under the guidance of Chief Safety Officer Keith Squires, the University implemented a series of 30 recommendations designed to restructure and improve the Department of Public Safety (DPS). These improvements focused on university security policies, including a stronger emphasis on community engagement and means to prevent police brutality, such as the introduction of independent review committees and body cameras.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist, underscoring the vital need for continuous feedback from the campus community to adapt and enhance safety measures effectively. The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), a crucial aspect of these reforms, plays a significant role in improving communication and assessment of threats, proving essential for violence prevention and better reporting procedures.

The role of organizations like the Lauren McCluskey Foundation has been instrumental in driving these changes, advocating for improved safety through education and accountability. Their initiatives focus on increasing awareness, implementing best practices, and promoting a Campus Safety Score to hold campuses accountable. They also push for stronger laws against dating violence and stalking, recognizing the importance of Title IX in protecting students.

There is a growing recognition of the need for cultural shifts within campus policing, emphasizing trust and engagement with the student body. This includes comprehensive faculty training in violence prevention and threat assessment, aiming to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all students. Efforts to overhaul existing firearms policies and integrate ongoing training programs reflect a broader commitment to transform university security policies and ensure that tragic incidents like that of Lauren McCluskey are never repeated.

From Tragedy to Action: A Transition to Secure Gaming

The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Lauren McCluskey have prompted a significant shift in the approach to security, particularly within higher education institutions. This tragedy underscored the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and tightened security measures across campuses. Universities and organizations have since prioritized the implementation of comprehensive cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents. Key practices include verifying email authenticity, securing passwords, protecting devices, and reporting suspicious activities. The emphasis on robust cybersecurity policies highlights the broader impact of offline tragedies on creating safer digital environments.

The rise in cyber-attacks on universities has spurred an evolution in access control systems, with flexible solutions becoming a must for ensuring campus safety. Video surveillance has similarly evolved, playing a crucial role in monitoring and protecting personal and sensitive data from breaches. Institutions are now leveraging digital video recorders and other technologies to enhance their security protocols.

The focus on security transitions smoothly into the digital sphere, where online platforms like Live Casino Stake.us are emphasizing similar principles of vigilance and safety. In the world of online gaming, ensuring the safety of users is paramount, given the multitude of cyber threats circulating in the digital landscape.

One critical area that reflects this heightened awareness is the domain of cyber safety in education, particularly highlighted by recent studies conducted in private schools across Dubai. The shift towards distance learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic has further emphasized the need for comprehensive cyber-safety policies. These policies should extend beyond school boundaries, integrating essential cybersecurity education and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to develop robust frameworks for online security.

Despite the focus on immediate threats, there remains an identified gap in existing policies, which often overlook broader cyber safety risks in favor of issues such as cyberbullying. Enhancements in policy should include better definitions, preventive measures, and reporting procedures. Similarly, the online gaming industry is addressing vulnerabilities through innovations such as multi-factor authentication and secure file storage, all contributing to a safer digital experience for users.

Creating Trust in Both Education and Gaming

Analyzing the importance of trust and security in both educational institutions and online casinos reveals a shared imperative: fostering environments of safety and trust. The lessons learned from one sector can enhance the other’s methodologies, ensuring robustness in all areas.

In the realm of online gambling, system integrity is maintained through rigorous security practices. For instance, casinos undergo SOC 2 audits to ensure operational integrity, access controls, and network security. These audits identify vulnerabilities and enhance compliance with regulations, ultimately fostering transparency and building customer trust.

Key security measures in online gambling include:

Encryption technologies like SSL/TLS to protect player data.

Random Number Generators (RNGs) that ensure fairness in games.

Licensing and regulation for compliance purposes.

Anti-fraud measures such as Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.

Secure payment methods, including e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.

The industry also faces significant risks, including data breaches, DDoS attacks, and fraudulent activities. As such, cybersecurity becomes both a necessity and a competitive advantage. Advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain offer enhanced security solutions, while third-party vendors provide innovative security services.

Entities like Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority set benchmarks for maintaining these standards. These organizations, alongside strategies to counter evolving threats, are critical in educating users on best practices for security and trust. As emphasized in high-profile incidents, the role of robust strategies cannot be understated.

For further insights on fortifying security and operational transparency in gaming, explore our detailed coverage on Live Casino Stake.us, where cutting-edge measures are piloted and refined.

The Influence of Safety Legislation in Various Sectors

Safety legislation, such as S.B. 134 and the Clery Act, has significantly shaped safety protocols across multiple sectors. Initially focused on addressing campus-related issues, these laws have transcended educational boundaries to impact areas like online entertainment, gaming, healthcare, and construction.

The Clery Act, for example, compels universities to transparently report campus crime statistics, which influences enrollment decisions and parental evaluations. This transparency fosters a proactive safety culture that enhances institutional reputation and creates trust with stakeholders, such as parents and international students. The broad adoption of such safety measures often leads to a cycle of continuous improvement in safety standards.

In the education sector, the repercussions of school shootings and their subsequent safety legislations, like reactive security systems and violence prevention protocols, underscore the complexity of safeguarding educational environments. While certain measures are developed specifically for schools, their influence extends into sectors with comparable safety concerns.

Healthcare facilities and construction sites are now integrated into a broader move towards adopting strict safety standards to comply with public safety regulations. By employing effective safety measures and prioritizing the prevention of violence, these sectors benefit from enhanced security culture and improved compliance with safety standards.

Beyond operational changes, the implementation of safety legislation influences public trust. The enhanced safety culture improves not only the institutions’ reputations but also their capacity to attract and retain skilled professionals, ultimately contributing to stable enrollment patterns and donor confidence.

Higher Education Safety: Institutions actively report crime statistics, positively impacting stakeholder trust and recruitment.

Workplace Safety Standards: Broader adoption of safety protocols inspired by campus measures.

Security Culture: Development of proactive safety measures influencing public safety and institutional standing.

Therefore, the ripple effects of safety legislation extend beyond the initial scope of preventing campus violence—fostering an enhanced security framework in diverse sectors and shaping public safety norms globally.

Lauren McCluskey’s story is still being investigated by journalist groups, and her family members are seeking answers. Stay up to date with the latest by subscribing to our City Life newsletter, The Hive.