News 12 First at Five, June 5, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- MCG is one of the best known hospitals in our area and the state of Georgia, but a recent attack inside the hospital has some people wondering just how safe it is.

As Crime Team 12's Lynnsey Gardner found out, MCG police don't patrol as much of the hospital property as you may think.

MCG Police say they are primarily responsible for the school's campus. Other than the hospital's ER, they don't patrol inside the building at all, and that's the hospital's choice.

News 12 found Richmond County's crime scene investigators back at MCG hospital, one day after a 63 year old woman was attacked.
Deputies believe a man caught on surveillance cameras beat and choked her to the point of unconsciousness inside an ICU bathroom early Thursday morning.

"That's frightening. That's very frightening. That makes me not want to come." But Angela Hortenstine and her 5 year old son have to come to the children's hospital for appointments, but inside you won't find police protecting you.

That's because MCG Health split from the Medical College of Georgia more than eight years ago and MCG police say that's when they stopped patrolling inside the hospitals, because MCG Health decided to employ unarmed security guards instead.

"I think something should be done. I think it's an outrage to the public and it's a public disservice," adds Hortenstine.

"The attack was very unfortunate." Deborah Humphrey is MCG Health's Director of Public Relations. She wouldn't describe the security measures in detail, but she did say the hospital has security devices along with the hired security guards. "We have a very rigorous security program."

Deputies say the man was caught on tape lurking the halls of the hospital days before the attack Thursday.

And when he struck, investigators say the suspect even had time to undress the victim before he was interrupted and ran.

Now the victim is recovering in a hospital room with her husband, who is also a patient.

"While we feel we have a rigorous security program, we won't rest on our laurels. As the criminals get smarter, so do we."

But for Angela, the damage is done. "Yes it does anger me. I think they should be patrolled."

Regent Security declined to comment on what training if any their guards have.

MCG Police focus on the school campus, the emergency room 24/7 and the parking lots and they respond to calls inside the hospital when asked to by MCG Health.

Humphrey says MCG prides itself on it's patient access all day and night for the families and they're sorry criminals are abusing that.

We've also had emails and calls about the homeless being a problem inside, but Humphrey denied those allegations