Students: We feel safe on our campus

By Lindsay Blair
New York State College students feel safe on campus, but are reluctant to take advantage of security services, according to staff and students at university.
Despite most students feeling un-threatened on campus, some feel hesitant about using the services provided by the police and security bodies on campus.
Julianna Chiu, a student at Plattsburgh State has never felt threatened on campus, but said that if she did feel in danger, she would feel hesitant about informing the police as a risk of “making a scene”.
“I’d be a little nervous to ring (the escort service) unless I felt like I was in real danger”, said Chiu, a business and accounting major, “I would probably ring a friend to take my mind off it”
Another Plattsburgh State student Erika Schaubel would also be hesitant to use the safety services provided on campus, but feels that the police do a good job of keeping an eye on crime. “I feel safe, but if I felt like I was in danger I would probably walk faster, I would most likely call a friend if I felt threatened. Only if I felt really like I was in danger, would I press the emergency notification button (on campus).”
American History and Politics major at SUNY Plattsburg, Hannah Sheehy agreed that the University Police are good, but wouldn’t use the services unless in a really threatening situation.
Students attending college feel little risk of danger on campus.
Chui said, “I do feel safe (on campus) because of the police, but there is only so much that they can do. The police seem to be on top of things, but I think you just have to be sensible.”
“You don’t really hear from the University Police unless you come into contact with them directly. But the services they provide are good, like the escort home service, that is a good idea,” said Chiu, a business and accounting major.
SUNY Plattsburgh University police provides a number of safety initiatives to ensure safety on and off campus for students and staff. A message issued by the UP stated, “University Police are working to ensure the safety and security of staff and students on campus”.
“College campuses are secure as long as students are educated (on how to stay safe),” said Christie Peacock, a representative from the Student Life and Residence office at SUNY Albany.
Peacock added, “I think students feel safer on the main campus than if they were in the downtown area, but it all comes down to education.”
Colleges across New York have extensive programs to ensure the safety of staff and students on campus, according to the Annual Health, Safety and Security Reports, published by SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Albany and Clinton Community College.
Colleges are required to produce an annual report showing statistics of crime, as stated in the Jean Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Crime Statistics Act 1998.
According to Clinton Community College Annual Health, Safety and Security Report for 2007, put together by the Captain of security, college nurse, Nicole Allen and local law enforcement agencies, crime figures are reasonably low on campus and within residence halls. The most common crimes being forcible sex offences and burglary.
Furthermore the campus crime statistics from SUNY Plattsburgh, issued monthly on the university website, stated that in September2009 the main crimes were forcible and non-forcible sex offences, burglary and few cases of aggravated assault.
The statistics for both Clinton Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh show no offences of indictable only offences, such as murder or manslaughter.
Programs currently in place at SUNY Plattsburgh are and escort service, where students can be escorted by the police from one place to another around campus. Emergency push-button points are located around campus, which when pressed notify the Police of a person in need immediately. And State University of New York colleges are all enrolled in a scheme to protect and inform staff and students of dangerous situations.
The SUNY NY Alert Emergency notification system notifies campus personnel immediately of a significant emergency or dangerous situation which could result in potential harm. The scheme, in partnership with the State Emergency Management office allows staff and students at university campuses in New York State, to receive notifications of dangerous or hazardous situations via text, email and electronic voice call. Students can sign up to this service at their host university.
Security on college campuses is an important aspect of education and what a substantial part of university fees are used for, according to a New York Times article, ‘Questioning a college president about the high cost of college’ by Jack Kadden, published earlier this month.
Securitas, a global company who provide security in many educational establishments in the US, and who provide security for Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh, aim to provide world class security to all their clients. In a statement by Securitas, they say, “We believe all service is local because it is assessed at the point of delivery. We have focused on building effective working relationships with our clients – relationships that are based on strong local offices with responsive management and a security team who is committed to service”