The incoming freshmen class is warned every year of the terrors of Campus Security. “Watch out for citations,” is often the advice upperclassmen give to their new schoolmates, usually along with tales of miraculous escapes, some through windows, others through the art of persuasion. Although this is a comical example of Campus Security, it is really meant to provide a very important safety role on Elon’s campus.

According to the Campus Safety and Police Web site [http://org.elon.edu/safety/security.htm] the main responsibilities of Campus Security are to “provide a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus.” They accomplish this task by foot, vehicle and bicycle patrol, provided 24 hours per day, every day of the year. This includes providing escorts for students who need them, as well as responding to noise complaints and security threats.

Yet, to some, this security has been denied. One night an anonymous student was returning back to her dorm from a late of studying at the library, she felt uncomfortable walking alone, so she called the 24 hour-a-day escort service [336 278-5555] supposedly offered by Campus Security. Much to her dismay, she was told, “we don’t offer that here” followed by the line going immediately dead. “I was shocked and confused,” says the student, “I had to walk alone, now I’ve gotten into the habit of simply leaving the library earlier, since an escort obviously can’t be counted on.”

Another anonymous student stated that the night before finals at the end of fall semester, her suitemates threw a party, during the 24 hours quite hours. The music was very loud and this student could hear and smell obvious illegal drug activity, so her roommate, frustrated, called Campus Security, hoping that the noise would stop and the students would be caught and punished for their illegal activities. However, when the Campus Security finally arrived half-an-hour later, they simply knocked on the door and instructed the students to turn down their music.

The personnel ignored the drug use and no citations were written. “I was disgusted by [Campus Security’s] lack of response,” said the anonymous student who voiced the complaint. “They are unreliable and hypocritical; what is the point of making something a rule, if there are no consequences for violating it? People are starting to feel as if they can get away with anything.”

If officials allow “illegal” activity to continue in their presence, it really isn’t illegal at all. Another similar story I heard was from another anonymous student who lives in a suite-style dorm. One night the student and her suitemates were sleeping in the suite. At about 4 a.m. an obviously intoxicated male began to bang on the door to the suite, demanding to be let in. The women did not want the man to come inside, and they made that very clear to the intruder.

However, the man did not leave, so the women called Campus Security, they were frightened and expected an immediate response. Eventually when the man left after about 30 minutes, Campus Security had still failed to arrive. Campus Security arrived about an hour after the complaint was called in. The women had already returned to sleep and were very frustrated by the second intrusion of the night. “By the time they go there, he was already gone,” said the anonymous student who reported the complaint. “It was ridiculous, they didn’t care at all that we were frightened and also in danger. If he had gotten in, all I know is that, the Campus Security definitely wouldn’t have helped us at all!”

It is completely understandable that all of these students were incredibly frustrated by the “so-called” service they received from the Campus Police. Drug activity and student safety are not being addressed by the individuals who are supposed to do just that. It is disgusting that students and faculty are not receiving the safety services that they truly deserve. Instead of warnings of possible citations from the so-called Campus Security, maybe upperclassmen should warn of the lack of protection offered to the Elon students and staff.

Staff: - 02/15/07