| Jackson State Students Express Safety Concerns |
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| By Vickey Williams -- Black College Wire | |
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Recent reports of a student being robbed at gunpoint at the ATM in the Student Center, a student being hit with a stray bullet on a nearby street on his way to campus and a purse-snatching near the T.B. Ellis Gym on Dalton Street have students at Jackson State University questioning the safety of the campus. 
Ja'Vonnie Royster/Blue&White Flash
Campus safety officer with student
The Department of Public Safety at JSU employs 30 police officers and a maximum of 15 contracted security guards. A daily shift consists of approximately 10-20 officers per shift which includes a combination of campus police officers and security guards. Magee said that it is often hard to properly identify who should and should not be on campus because many students do not wear their required ID badges. Another challenging factor for security is the fact that the campus is open which makes it difficult to distinguish between who's authorized to be on campus and who is not. "JSU's campus is safe. We are a city within a city and we have to govern ourselves accordingly," said Magee. "We have a false sense of security and when we let our guards down, that's when things start to happen." 
campusprofiles.com
H.T. Sampson Library
"I feel if you practice safe habits, the campus is safe," said Raynetra Gustavis, a freshman music major from Hazlehurst, Miss. "You can't count on the police to do everything, you have to be cautious and use good judgment." Arkela R. Lewis, a prospective student from Jackson, Miss., said that the JSU campus is not safe. Lewis's purse was snatched on Dalton Street in broad daylight on Nov. 18 while she was on campus attempting to register for the spring semester. Lewis said that JSU's public safety officers did not do enough. "Security took my statement and escorted me to the precinct to fill out a report," said Lewis. "When the campus police came, someone should have tried to apprehend the suspects or chase them." Lewis said an officer approached her on a bicycle and did not even attempt to look for the suspects. "They need to tighten their security and should want students and staff to feel safe," said Lewis. Lewis, who is a former student, said that she is aware of other incidents of crime that have occurred to students walking to class on Dalton Street. "JSU needs to use some of the money they are spending to build these new buildings more wisely and properly secure the school," said Lewis. Ivory R. Promise, a freshman computer engineering major from Jackson, Miss., does not feel that JSU's campus is as safe as it could be and wants campus police to do more to ensure the safety of students. "Nothing is happening. It seems like they're (campus police) not really doing their jobs," said Promise. "They're filing reports and not following up with them." Promise feels JSU needs an on-campus and an off campus patrol team to ensure the safety of both students and faculty who have to park and walk to classes that are on the surronding streets like Lynch, Prentiss and Dalton. Magee feels that part of the problem is lack of support from the campus community. She wants students, faculty and staff to understand that security is trying to help, not harass. In an effort to ensure the safety of the students, faculty and staff, campus police in conjunction with facilities management provides a 24-hour escort service and has officers patrolling all areas of the campus. They use a beat structure of foot, bike and mobile patrols. In an effort to inform students, Public Safety passes out safety flyers and continiously attempts to get students to be aware of their surroundings. A crime is updated daily that includes all incidents and crimes reported to the Department of Public Safety and is open for public viewing. Magee gave these safety tips: Be aware of your surroundings; ensure your safety and belongings at all times; lock dorm doors; go to ATMs with someone; let up windows and secure your vehicle; don't walk alone at night; and take precautionary measures daily. Vickey Williams writes for the Blue & White Flash, the Jackson State University student newspaper, which originally published this article. |
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| Posted Dec. 02, 2008 |
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