Opinions can switch in a second when one is faced with a harsh reality, just like mine did. College campus safety is what many have on their mind after the decapitation of Virginia Tech student Xin Yang. My first impression after looking on http://www.collegesafe.com/campus_safety_tips.htm was that the line between caution and paranoia have been crossed.
The website sells products to keep college students safer, products such as Spy Sunglasses, Wireless Camera Detector, and Date Rape Drug Test Strips. Now I’m all for safety, but is it really necessary to have sunglasses that allow you to see the person walking behind you?
After a bit more research on Security On Campus, Inc. and looking into their crime logs, the harsh reality set in; 27 crimes ranging from murder to burglary have happened on college campuses in the past month.
“My brother is a security guard at Denison University and he continually says that the incidences of violence are under reported because colleges don’t want them reported,” said Middletown High School guidance counselor Rena Egan.
Maybe those sunglasses wouldn’t be so bad after all.
College is the first place where kids have limited supervision and when alcohol and drugs are added, a friendly party can end in disaster.
“I think the availability of drugs and alcohol is the major factor that leads students to do something they wouldn’t, under normal circumstances, do,” said MHS junior Jordan Bushong-Taylor.
College crimes are largely due to poor decisions which don’t ease a worried parent’s mind.
This is not to say that colleges don’t do their best to keep students safe.
“Many college campuses offer emergency phones at various locations on campus, while others offer community watch programs to patrol school grounds,” said MHS senior Jody Brummage.
Colleges need to find a way to keep students safe but not gloss over the truth for parents.
To better protect themselves from harm, students need to be aware of their surroundings and remember that they’re not invincible or immune.
“Young people feel a sense of immortality and that’s just not the case,” said Egan.