Purdue University Strengthens Security With Help Of Students

Feb 26, 2008 4:32 PM

Increasing the number of employees in the Purdue University Student Security Patrol on its West Lafayette, Ind., campus will be an effective way to enhance safety on campus, reports The Exponent, Purdue University's student newspaper.

The Purdue Police Department reported that it would nearly double the number of positions open on the force. The current staff of 25 would jump to 35 beginning this spring. The student patrol will eventually employ 50 by the end of the year.

Saving the university millions of dollars that would normally be spent on installing security cameras, the path is adding student jobs while increasing campus surveillance.

Student patrol—more trained than a camera to distinguish a wave to a friend from a person waving for help—may offer the campus a more human look into security, reports the newspaper. Though student patrol members do not tote guns or drive police cars, having more human eyes can be considered a good supplement to the full-time police force. These students also carry radios and can report any suspicious activity immediately.

Unlike a camera, if someone needs immediate help, there is already an able-bodied student on the scene. In addition, these students are able to participate in the Safe Walk program, giving walking escorts to those who call for help.

The Exponent says that this route of security is beneficial, especially for people who might want a free walk home from a night of work or an evening on the town.

Purdue is also urging students and staff to sign up for emergency text messages. Because most students and staff have their cell phones on hand during the day, emergency texts are an added layer of security that everyone can take.

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