Campus_Safety

Anissa Moye Eng 99/06 Safety on Campus April 25, 2004  Campus safety is a major concern on college campuses nation wide. Tompkins Cortland’s campus, school officials should establish more sufficient safety policies. Some of the criminal acts include fights, thefts, and vandalism. These are major issues that can affect the student population, and steps should be taken to resolve them. Three safety procedures, which Tompkins Cortland Community College should enforce in order to create a safer campus environment, are more security, blue lights, and a sign in sheet for uninvited guests. First, the lack of security within TC3 dorms creates a very unsafe environment. Without enforcers to prevent situations, many times minor issues can escalate. For example, a student who has a problem with a fellow student may become violent and assault that individual. Without security this can create a very dangerous atmosphere because there is no one to control the outburst of violence and resolve the situation. If there were security guards present, they could intervene before arguments develop into violent situations. An increase in security and twenty- four-hour surveillance will provide students with a safer community. Cameras should be present in each dorm and though out the campus. By having cameras it will prevent many crimes or violent acts. Security is a key aspect to a successful TC3 campus environment. Second, blue lights can also be an effective safety apparatus for TC3 students. Blue lights are telephone booths with a direct connection to campus security. By having blue lights it could provide students with round the clock connections to the main security office. They are necessary to establish protection for students while on campus. Blue lights could reduce crimes such as rapes, fights, or vandalism. For example, a female student going to her dorm room at night might have a person following her. With a blue light in place she can make a call to TC3 security office and alert a guard of the situation. The guards can proceed to the area, which would prevent the situation from becoming out of control and restore order. Next, individuals are present on TC3 dorms that should not be allowed. Many crimes that occur within dorms involve persons who are not students. For example, anyone can walk on campus, enter dorms and vandalize school property, steal, or assault students. To prevent these situations, all TC3 visitors should present identification upon entering dorms. A sign in log should be in place to keep track of visitors. For each guest a time limit should be enforced. If this span is not followed, action should be taken to remove the guest from the area. Overall, school officials should take safety on TC3 campus more seriously. There are many unsafe situations, which students encounter on a daily basis that can be avoided. With the proper procedures such as more security, blue lights, and a sign up sheet for uninvited guests there can be a decrease in crimes. In order to create a safer environment TC3 officials should enforce these policies.