Metro
Story
WSU's Jewish Cop
Cary Glazer helps keep students safe at his alma mater.
Francine Wunder
Special to the Jewish News
W
Joel Kirsch recently returned to the
area after completing his chiropractic
education out of state. He grew up
heating about Hebrew Free Loan from
his father, the agency's Major Gift chair.
"I've been involved with Hebrew
Free Loan for most of my life because
of my dad's passion for it," Joel says.
"He told me the agency provided help
to families and individuals who weren't
able to enjoy the advantages we had.
Now that I've moved back to Michigan
and witnessed some of the economic
struggles, I'm more convinced than
ever of the importance of Hebrew
Free Loan."
Joel is passionate about supporting
the community. "I believe strongly in
philanthropy and giving others a
chance. No matter what the gift is, it's
important to attach meaning to your
contribution. Give to something you
believe in. It makes me feel good to
know I could be helping someone who
needs it, and who may turn out to be
a donor someday."
Donate to Hebrew Free Loan.
Your family, friends and
neighbors need you.
Hebrew Free Loan provides interest-
free loans for living expenses,
medical fees and many other
needs: small business start-up
costs, tuition assistance, summer
camp, training, and much more. If
you or someone you know needs
help, please click or call.
www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184
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FREE*LOAN
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Jewish
Federation
WERE PART OF THE TEAM
A18
October 30 • 2008
hen Cary Glazer was grow-
ing up in West Bloomfield,
he never questioned
what he would be when he grew up.
Rather than becoming a doctor or law-
yer, Glazer knew from age 4 that law
enforcement was his calling.
Today Glazer is one of the many
highly trained officers on Wayne
State University's Police Department
(WSUPD), which provides the univer-
sity community with police service 24
hours a day, 365 days a year. Students,
residents, small business owners and
others thrive in midtown Detroit with
the knowledge that Wayne State's secu-
rity force is monitoring and protecting
their safety.
"This is one of the most sophisticated
police operations I have ever seen or
been a part of' said Glazer, who served
as a veteran police officer in Pontiac for
more than six years and was decorated
with eight meritorious letters of com-
mendation.
"As a former SWAT officer and
field training officer, I have seen and
responded to
crimes more
violent than
most law
enforcement
officials experi-
ence over the
expanse of
their careers,"
he said. "I have
never seen a
department
better equipped
to squelch the
potential for
criminal activ-
ity, based on the
level of training
and technology
it provides!'
The sophistication of Wayne State's
Police Department is exemplified by the
new Albert Kahn Associates-designed
headquarters. This state-of-the art
facility serves as the university's nerve
center for surveillance, dispatch, train-
ing, crisis communications and com-
munity engagement activities. Located
at 6050 Cass Ave. in Detroit's New
Amsterdam Historic District, the 33,260
gross-square-foot structure is home to
'"^•••••
Officer Cary Glazer in the nerve center of Wayne State University's
new police headquarters.
WSUPD's 54 police officers and 44 civil-
ian employees.
"During the planning process for our
new facility, we insisted that two major
goals be considered in the design stage
— security and safety for our visitors
and the latest technology available to
police departments," said Anthony Holt,
WSU chief of
police. "This
building reflects
those goals,
offering to the
university com-
munity and
Detroit area an
outstanding
police facility
that reflects our
mission!'
Glazer credits
Holt and his
command with
the department's
ongoing suc-
cess and quest
for continuous
improvement. In fact, a 2006 crime
report by the Michigan State Police
Criminal Justice Information Center,
shows that Wayne State had fewer inci-
dents of violent crime than either the
University of Michigan or Michigan
State University and, per capita, mid-
town had fewer incidents than Oakland
County.
"There are times when criminals
don't realize they are on the periphery
of our campus," Glazer said. "They are
Wayne State U. is a
premier institution
of higher education
offering more than 350
academic programs
through 12 schools
and colleges to more
than 31,000 students.
shocked when our officers respond in
less than three minutes and descend
upon them like a swarm of bees!' He
added that it is not uncommon for com-
manding officers to leave their desks
in suit and tie to respond to a call and
make an arrest.
Glazer graduated from West
Bloomfield High School in 1985, and
from Wayne State University in 1994
with a bachelor's of science degree in
criminal justice and a minor in psychol-
ogy. After college, he began a short-lived
career in commercial real estate and
other business ventures, but soon real-
ized that he had no choice but to fulfill
his calling as a law enforcement officer.
Glazer said that returning to his alma
mater is a comfortable fit, not only
because he works for the university, but
because he finds campus life to be safe
and welcoming for Jewish students, fac-
ulty and staff.
He enjoys regular visits to Hillel at the
Student Center Building, which provides
the only kosher meals available in the
city of Detroit.
"The Hillel House welcomed me with
open arms and even complimented my
department," Glazer said. "It is wonder-
ful to know that I am part of a growing
Jewish community at Wayne State, and
I feel very much at home here. In fact,
I could definitely see myself living in
midtown — even if I wasn't a police
officer!' ❑
Francine Wunder is WSU director of cor-
porate and public affairs.