After the numerous attacks occurring on campus, more campus security fill the campus and more students are cautious while they walk to class.
The University Police have issued warnings both through e-mail and posted signs on doors throughout campus to inform students of recent security upgrades and to give a general warning to be safer at night when going to their cars.
The security upgrades include doubling police patrols, hiring an outside security company to patrol dormitories and extending the campus shuttle until 12:30 a.m.
“I think the added security is a great idea,” said freshman nursing major Susy Lopez. “If there is more security around, it would make it safer to walk to your car at night. I was kind of fearful when I went to a faculty dance recently and I walked by myself. But I think the papers are helping and the e-mails to students help.”
The attacks occurred at various locations across campus, including the alley behind 7-Eleven near Lot 11A, Earl Warren Drive near the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, the trees near Brotman Hall and the music access road. Students have been urged to walk in groups to their cars at night or wait for the shuttle to take them.
“The escort service is a good idea, and extending the hours is good. But if it’s only like 15 people, it might not do any good,” said sophomore liberal studies major Carolyn Morto. “I used the escort service a couple of times. It was really nice. Everyone was really friendly, and the driver was careful not to start driving before everyone was in.”
Although additional security has been added to the campus, students are cautious when walking alone. Bruce Berg, a professor in the criminal justice department, noted some ways that students can protect themselves against attacks when no one else is around.
“Classmates might consider escorting one another to the cars during the evening hours after dark. There are only so many police escorts available, and students become impatient waiting for these folks to arrive and tend to head off in the dark,” Berg said.
He added, “Mace and pepper spray really require some training. I know people think you just point and spray, but you’d be surprised how many people point, spray and hit themselves in the eye, or at least miss their intended target. The best weapon someone has if attacked is to yell really loudly for help.”
