2008 Woodie Awards
Safety and security of SJU staff and students should be a primary concern
Michael Daly '08
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
With the recent outsourcing of desk security in residence halls and increased patrolling of the campus with Saint Joseph's own security, a new safety and security issue has been unmasked. While the idea behind this is to make our campus more safe, there is one issue we seem to have overlooked that pertains to the safety and the security of some of the most caring employees of this institution.
What should be generating some concern among the student body and administration is the somewhat ludicrous restraints placed upon the security guards here at Saint Joseph's University.
Even while the security force is bolstered with new officers, raising their numbers significantly, and has been equipped with new cameras and the like, we are called upon to wonder if this is all simply a show of force for the parents and security cameras, rather than a well-thought out plan to better protect the students.
With the seeming increase in the crime in the area, or at the very least, an institutional focus on the crime in the area, it is almost laughable that the security guards are not allowed to carry pepper spray.
These men and women who are tasked with protecting us are not given any provisions for protecting themselves, let alone us. No baton or no pepper spray means that they have no way of protecting us in those rare circumstances in which we urgently need their help.
When things get out of hand, what are they supposed to do? I fear even more for their safety than for ours because they are targets. They aren't just walking home from a party; their job is actually to seek out trouble proactively.
The oddest part about this entire situation is that each and every security guard hired by Saint Joseph's University is required to go through the myriad of state background checks to earn a firearms permit for their workplace.
So, if these people are qualified, and legally allowed to carry a firearm, why aren't they even allowed to carry pepper spray on their person in order to protect themselves?
I have several friends on the security force, people who truly do care about the well-being and safety of our students. I fear for our safety, and I fear for them. Why not ask someone you know "why?"
What should be generating some concern among the student body and administration is the somewhat ludicrous restraints placed upon the security guards here at Saint Joseph's University.
Even while the security force is bolstered with new officers, raising their numbers significantly, and has been equipped with new cameras and the like, we are called upon to wonder if this is all simply a show of force for the parents and security cameras, rather than a well-thought out plan to better protect the students.
With the seeming increase in the crime in the area, or at the very least, an institutional focus on the crime in the area, it is almost laughable that the security guards are not allowed to carry pepper spray.
These men and women who are tasked with protecting us are not given any provisions for protecting themselves, let alone us. No baton or no pepper spray means that they have no way of protecting us in those rare circumstances in which we urgently need their help.
When things get out of hand, what are they supposed to do? I fear even more for their safety than for ours because they are targets. They aren't just walking home from a party; their job is actually to seek out trouble proactively.
The oddest part about this entire situation is that each and every security guard hired by Saint Joseph's University is required to go through the myriad of state background checks to earn a firearms permit for their workplace.
So, if these people are qualified, and legally allowed to carry a firearm, why aren't they even allowed to carry pepper spray on their person in order to protect themselves?
I have several friends on the security force, people who truly do care about the well-being and safety of our students. I fear for our safety, and I fear for them. Why not ask someone you know "why?"
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