Campus News - Spartan Daily

September 13, 2004

Campus safety is UPD's priority
Blue phones, escort services available to assist students
By Kevin Yuen
Daily Staff Writer
September 13, 2004

The University Police Department works every year to ensure the safety of students on campus.
" We don't pick a particular topic and run with it," said Sgt. John Laws, police information officer and library security unit supervisor, "but there's always skate safety, trying to educate students to keep property with them, trying to convince the residents of the residence halls that strangers can't walk in, just general crime protection service. But the campus is extremely safe."
There are blue phones throughout campus and in each building that can be used to contact the police if necessary, Laws said.
" If someone is in trouble and needs assistance, they can use them," Laws said. "It can be used for courtesy purposes as well, like if someone wants to report damage to a building, like graffiti or a broken fire sprinkler.
The No. 1 way that students would use them is to request escorts." Several hundred students use the escort service each year, which begins at 5:30 p.m., Laws said. The service originated in the early 1980s, because there was a crime problem on campus at the time.
" I've heard about them," freshman Natalie Perez said of the night escort service, "but I don't know where to call to get one. I wouldn't hesitate at all (to ask for an escort), just as long as I knew where to call." Laws said that not many people are aware of the service, however the low usage of escorts may be because students feel safer on campus or that they move in groups more.
" When I'm walking back to Joe West by myself, I'm a little scared," said Perez, a nursing major. "I'm worried that the gates (to enter the dormitory) are going to be closed and I'll have to walk around on San Salvador (off campus) to go into the building."
Perez said that she was glad that the escort service is available for use, but thought that the system is flawed.
" It's very reassuring that the blue phones are there," Perez said, "however I don't think there are enough, because there's only a few every so often."
Sam Ruiz, a freshman majoring in civil engineering and resident of Joe West Hall, said that residents receive training on how to use night escorts and blue phones seen around campus.
" I feel pretty safe on campus," Ruiz said. "I've seen a couple (UPD officers) on campus, so I feel pretty safe. If I was in danger, I would definitely (consider using a blue phone)."
A press release was issued earlier in the year stressing and detailing bicycle, skate board and other similar devices' safety concerns.
"For the most part, bicycling is allowed on campus in restricted areas Monday through Fridays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.," Laws said. "Those restricted areas are Paseo de San Carlos, the Seventh Street Plaza and where Ninth Street would go all the way through (campus). After that, they are allowed to ride anywhere after 10 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. Skateboards, scooters and rollerblades are never allowed on campus at any time."
Laws said that UPD doesn't confiscate too many skateboards and "similar devices" each year.
"Although there are signs on campus, we recognize it is hard to see the signs when you're riding a bicycle or skateboarding because you're looking down at the ground," Laws said.
"When officers come in contact with people that they see on the bicycle or skateboard, we get their personal information and we enter that into our computer system which documents that we have given them a copy of the rules. Now if we stop that person a second time, they could receive a traffic citation."
Students with more questions about laws and rules can visit the UPD Web site at http://www.sjsu.edu/police under FAQ.
"The campus is a very safe place," Laws said.