2008 Woodie Awards
New security procedures fail to address real safety problems
Christopher Perella '08
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Opinion
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For students and staff alike here at St. Joe's, Bernie was more than a security guard; he was an institution. For years now, his presence in LaFarge, for years now, has been felt by nearly everyone who visits this campus at some point during the academic year. Unfortunately, his carelessness was caught on camera by a legitimate news source, and he has been relieved of his security duty; it's a fact we all must face, and accept.
By now, it would be nearly impossible to take classes at St. Joe's and not be aware of the security-related events which have recently unfolded. Last week, The Hawk ran an article regarding an undercover NBC news feature involving campus security in local universities. Bernie, who for years has warmly greeted students from his perch behind the LaFarge security desk, happened to be on duty when a reporter entered LaFarge and, while videotaping the entire incident, managed to get into the building unquestioned.
In the days following this unexpected exposure of St. Joe's security, and the subsequent firing of Bernie from his guard duty, outrage has grown throughout the St. Joe's campus. Many students who have lived or spent countless hours of their freshman experience in LaFarge have been clamoring for his reinstatement. With his recent reappearance as a newly-hired staff member in the campus bookstore (a non-university run establishment), the sting of Bernie's firing has been lessened; nevertheless, residual anger exists.
What is difficult for us ex-LaFargers to come to grips with is that the University had very little choice in firing Bernie; he was exposed, to a vast audience, to be failing at his security duties. I am personally thankful to have him back on campus in the bookstore; however the administration has failed is in its attempts to remedy the far-reaching security issues which plague the school on a daily basis.
Responses from Bill Mattioli, Director of Public Safety, following the incident addressed the need for tighter security at on-campus dorms. These measures include outside swipes, more consistent baggage checks, and a need to swipe again once inside a building. It seems to me, however, working harder to ensure that alcohol stays out of freshman dorms in a year when alcohol poisonings are down considerably is misguided. Promptly moving to prevent in-dorm violence and crime, an already exceedingly rare issue here at St. Joe's, does little to fix the enormous gaps in security efficiency at our university.
By now, it would be nearly impossible to take classes at St. Joe's and not be aware of the security-related events which have recently unfolded. Last week, The Hawk ran an article regarding an undercover NBC news feature involving campus security in local universities. Bernie, who for years has warmly greeted students from his perch behind the LaFarge security desk, happened to be on duty when a reporter entered LaFarge and, while videotaping the entire incident, managed to get into the building unquestioned.
In the days following this unexpected exposure of St. Joe's security, and the subsequent firing of Bernie from his guard duty, outrage has grown throughout the St. Joe's campus. Many students who have lived or spent countless hours of their freshman experience in LaFarge have been clamoring for his reinstatement. With his recent reappearance as a newly-hired staff member in the campus bookstore (a non-university run establishment), the sting of Bernie's firing has been lessened; nevertheless, residual anger exists.
What is difficult for us ex-LaFargers to come to grips with is that the University had very little choice in firing Bernie; he was exposed, to a vast audience, to be failing at his security duties. I am personally thankful to have him back on campus in the bookstore; however the administration has failed is in its attempts to remedy the far-reaching security issues which plague the school on a daily basis.
Responses from Bill Mattioli, Director of Public Safety, following the incident addressed the need for tighter security at on-campus dorms. These measures include outside swipes, more consistent baggage checks, and a need to swipe again once inside a building. It seems to me, however, working harder to ensure that alcohol stays out of freshman dorms in a year when alcohol poisonings are down considerably is misguided. Promptly moving to prevent in-dorm violence and crime, an already exceedingly rare issue here at St. Joe's, does little to fix the enormous gaps in security efficiency at our university.
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