Part One

Safety at Douglas College

Security

ANNETTE MARTIN

ouglas College's New Westminster

campus contains a large community with

a huge population and, while there is
safety in numbers, security is always an issue in a
busy, crowded environment. The college is not
only an educational institution but also a public
building, and not everyone who walks through the
doors is a student, or an employee.

Personal awareness and basic safety practices are
the key components of safety. The college lighting
has been upgraded over the years, so use the well
lit areas of campus, be cautious when alone in ele-
vators, walk with a friend or ask for an escort
from either Security or Safe Walk, depending on
the time of day.

Not everyone on campus is honest, and theft
can be prevented by such obvious safety precau-
tions as not leaving personal belongings unattend-
ed. Lockers are a safe option and are available from
the Student Society Building for a fee of $10 per
semester; provide your own lock. But if you do
make a mistake and lose your wallet, purse, back-
pack, or even a sweater, contact the Security booth
at the eastern end of the second-floor concourse
(at the foot of the steps on the way to the library).
It is the college Lost and Found area. The security
guards are there to help when you lose an item,
feel threatened, need an escort to another part of
the building, or require access to a locked lab or
classroom (by pre-arrangement with an instructor).

Security also has a nifty pair of bolt cutters for
those students dumb enough to lock themselves
out of their lockers. (Remembering how frequently
this happens, and to how many students, helps to
lessen the embarrassment.) TIP: Keep a spare key
or buy a combination lock, and if you still lock
yourself out, carry ID and a receipt for your lock-
er before taking your red-faced request for help to
Security.

If you witness a violent incident or threatening
behaviour on campus, don't risk becoming another
victim, call Security at 527-5405 (or 2400 from
an internal Douglas College line). This rule also
applies to both parkades. If you notice anything
unusual, call Security from one of the emergency
telephones located in every elevator foyer—they
are a direct line to Security. And it should go
without saying; always lock your car, and check the
interior betore entering It when you return after
classes.

The security booth at the David Lam campus is

 

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r

located on the first floor

by the south entrance to

the atrium. The booth is
open 7 am to II pm on regular
school days, and the phone num-
ber is S527—5954. Jumper cables
can be provided in exchange for a
student's ID and driver's

licence—which are returned

when the cables are turned in.

First Aid,
Harassment
and Sexual
Assault

While 911 is always the
immediate, and practical, reaction
to a life-threatening situation,
Security can assist when First Aid
is required, or until paramedics
arrive. All Security personnel have
industrial First Aid training, and
access to First Aid supplies.

However, sexual or personal harassment should
be reported immediately to 527-5574 (local
5574) where advisors are available to help and/or
take action on your behalf. Any type of sexual
assault should be reported to the New
Westminster police at 525-5411, and support is
available through the Women’s Centre 527-5148
and the Rape Crisis Centre at 875-6011.

Safe Walk

afe Walk is a free, student-volunteer-run
service which offers co-ed escorts to Douglas
college students attending evening classes,
staff working late at the college, and visitors. The
program motto is, “No one should feel unsafe or
unsure at Douglas College, so stop by, we're here.”
‘Here’ is a small booth located between the
western exit doors and the cafeteria on the second
floor concourse, and the hours of operation are 6-
10:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Program
Co-ordinator, Rod Haymond, explains that there
is less call for the service on Fridays when evening
classes are not scheduled, but that Safe Walk vol-
unteers will come in to help out for Friday night
student society socials.
The escort service includes walks to New
Westminster SkyTrain, or to a bus stop or parked

Safe Walk in action, ensuring
the safe delivery of a student
to his car

Annette Martin Photos

See

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car up to three blocks away from campus. The
three to four block radius is an official rule, and
key feature of the program, which allows volun-
teers to maintain radio contact with the college
dispatcher. The two-way radios, which operate o
a private frequency, were bought by the student
society. If a student's car is parked further than
three blocks away, they are encouraged to “hop ¢
a bus” rather than walk on alone. Safe Walk vol
teers check the immediate vicinity, the vehicle’s
insurance decals and interior, then wait until the
student has driven away. If possible they try to
hook up two walks at a time because they feel t
“There is safety in numbers.”

Volunteers neither carry weapons nor interve
in incidents of physical assault or vandalism
because, as Haymond says, “We are not profes-
sional police, and weapons could be turned agai
us.” They do report such incidents immediately q
local police or college security, but the success o
Safe Walk is based on visual deterrence which
Haymond calls, “The key defence in non-intervq
tion.” Volunteers wear jackets and T-shirts that fq
ture highly-visible lettering identifying the weare
as a member of the Douglas College Safe Walk
Program. The effect is psychological, and althou
volunteers might “Get razzed for looking like
cops” when they walk down to the SkyTrain sta
tion, Haymond says, “Nobody lays a hand on u
because we look professional.” This visual deter-
rent works well when Safe Walk members patrol
the college grounds. Anyone hanging around the
college with criminal intent thinks twice because
of the volunteers’ very visual presence.

Both men and women volunteer for the Safe
Walk Program, and they contract to take eight
shifts of four and a half to five hours each over
14 week semester. Sharon Canton, assistant
coordinator, and volunteer Dave Cété echo Rod
Haymond’s thanks to all the volunteers,
“Especially those who show up.” New volunteers
are always welcome to join this very special team
and share the duties.

So if you find yourself locked out of the
Carnarvon Street parking lot (which closes at 6
pm) or you feel unsure about walking to your ca
or public transportation, ask a patrolling pair of
volunteers, stop by the Safe Walk booth, or tele-
phone 527-5575. As Haymond says, “We're a fi

service. Use us as much as possible.”

Next week, part two—Perceptions of Campus Safety