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Clark Atlanta University Panther December 4, 1990 Page 5 'Parents "Express "Concern Over Students 1 Safety By SETH D. COLEMAN Contributing Writer Parents of Clark Atlanta University students have many concerns when it comes to their youngsters. ‘Is my child eating prop erly?,’ is my child studying?,’ ‘Does my child have enough money?’ Now, the murder of 19-year- old CAU freshman Duane Goodman has given parents somt'hing else to worry about... is my child safe?’ Dr. Morris Rose, a professor at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, has studied the issue of crime on college campuses grom simple vandallism to date rape. He has also studied its affects on students, instructors, and parents. ‘Parents tend to react in one of three different ways when a violent crime occurs at the institution they have sent their child to,’ said Dr. Rose. ‘One reaction is, ‘I’m worried about my child, but I know he-she is capable of making resopnsible decisions when it comes to safety,’ ” he said. Dr. Rose continued, “Another reaction is, “I’m worried about my child, but crime is everywhere and there is no way to try to run from it.’ ” The third reaction according to Dr. Rose is one o panic, which was demonstrated earlier this year at the University of Florida when five students were brutally murdered. “The third and most extreme reaction,” said Dr. Rose, “is when parents say, ‘I’m worried sick about my child and I want he-she to come home.’ ” Ian Gore, 44, an area supervisor for Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Neew York, is the father of CAU junior account ing major Tonia Gore. He is not pleased with the security situation at the school. “People intrustr their children to the school’s security agency, and they should do a lot better job,” he said. Gore does not, however, feel that his daughter should leave. “Going somewhere else wouldn’t solve anything. Something like that is very unfortunate but could happen anywhere,” he said. Gore not only grieves for A Police Force A t CAIJ Considered By PA ULETTE V. WALKER Editor-in-Chiej “You all have been giving us lip service for as long as I can remember! How many more students must be killed before you hire" some real policemen?” These and other accusations were tossed about the capacity-filled Davage Auditorium as students confronted President Thomas W. Cole III and Dr. Larry Earvin, Associate Provost, at a meeting held after the memorial service for Duane Goodman. While the questions ranged from parking to dining in Crogman Dining Hall, the majority of the concerns centered around the quality of security at Clark Atlanta University. “We need a police force, not these robo-cops,” said Nnegeste Llike, a senior at Clark Atlanta University. “We need a police force for the entire Atlanta University Center,” shouted another angry student. Out of 12 Atlanta colleges and universities interviewed, nine had police forces while the others employed security officers. According to Lieutenant Amy C. Lanier, an officer with the Agnes Scott College Police Department, having a security force should not be considered inadequate, but the presence of policeman with authority and powers tends to set the minds of parents and students at ease. “We have been a police department for ten years,” said Lt. Lanier. “We changed over from our security company because it was necessary for us to be able to handle situations without wasting valuable time contacting other agencies.” All of the officers interviewed agreed that the main advantage of having police officers is that they have the power of arrest. According to Edward Medlin, the director of public safety at Emory University, another advantage of having police officers is the validity of the uniform. “Twenty years ago, the average criminal was intimidated when faced by any type of uniform,” said Medlin. “Now, we are dealing with very high levels of sophistication in criminals, and that warrants a police presence.” “I would feel very uncomfortable as a student relying on security forces because they face so many limitations,” added Medlin. Although the consensus was in favor of police, many policeman contended that security guards have a certain necessity on college campuses. “I think that there are two distinct functions on college campuses,” said Chief W. J. Taylor of the Atlanta Police Department. “The security guard is there to stand on campus, watch doors, escort students and stuff like that. It would be a waste of time and ability for certified police to have duties like that. However, the streets in and around a university need a police presence to deal with criminal conduct, in that regard, I say a police force is necessary.” It’s not as easy as students think when it comes to changing a security force to a police force or installing a police force on a college campus added Chief Taylor. “There is a question as to. what laws they will be allowed to enforce,” he pointed out. “There would need to be an agreement drawn up with the city of Atlanta that would allow them to enforce city ordinances, bring defendants into city courts and allow them to use the reporting system that is utilized by the city of Atlanta. As far as a seperate police force for Clark Atlanta U niversity, one of the hinderances in the past has been that police adminstrators wanted to see a unified force in the Atlanta University Center instead of giving each separate school police officers.” Although a police force has obvious advantages over security forces, Chief Medlin thinks that with the proper amount of student-security interaction and cooperation, the safety needs of students would be met regardless of the type of force. The crime reports that run in the Emory University student newspaper, The Wheel, is an example of this “positive interaction.” “It is the most popular feature in the paper,” said Chief Medlin who has been on Emory’s police force for seven years. “Students have a lot more faith in our honesty and it makes them aware of the hazards on campus.” At the Georgia Institute of Technology, an institution located in an urban environment similar to the one surrounding the Atlanta University Center, the idea of police and students working hand in hand is also employed. “We have quite a few programs that are meant to make this a safe place,” said Jack Vickery, director of the police department at Georgia Tech. “The police patrol is only one aspect of our services. There is a student safety patrol service iun by the students and it operates at night. There is a campus transportation system shuttle and a network of campus emergency phones. Our police department also sponsors continuous educational seminars on crime prevention.” “The labeling of the forces — security or police — is not as important as the effort made to work with the students,” explained Chief Medlin. “The students need to see them as a resource and not as the enemy. The students must have confidence in the force.” Since the death of Goodman, AUC administrators and the Atlanta Police Department have been working on solution toward effective security “...whether that means combining the security forces or installing an AUC police department remains to be seen.” “Each college is writing their recommendation and will submit the entire proposal,” said Chief Taylor. “We expect to have something by mid-December.” Goodman and his family, but for the accused as well. “I feel so sorry for the young man (Goodman) and his family. The kid who shot him (accused murderer Montavis Farmer, 17) is so young; he doesn’t even know what life is all about yet and he has taken someone elses.” Gore does not feel that campus security is totally to blame, but that the safety of the students should be a combined effort. “Something should be done to’get the school, students, as well as the community involved Continued On Page 10 Students Change Habits To Ensure Their Safety By VANESSA CROCKETT Contributing Writer Cheryl Hudson, a 19-year-old sophomore at Clark Atlanta University, drives everywhere she goes since the killing of a fellow student three weeks ago. Hudson, who lives on campus, said she is very frightened and has seen a change in her lifestyle. “1 don’t want to lock myself up but I find no reason to go out late to parties anymore,” said Hudson. Hudson said she now wears comfortable clothing in case she has to run and no longer carries large sums of money. Although Hudson said this crime could have happened anywhere, she feels students at the Atlanta University Center are more susceptible to being victims since it is located in a “high crime area.” To safeguard themselves, Hudson suggests students travel in groups of at least three people. They should avoid wearing jewelry and leather jackets, which muggers want. Hudson advised students not to assume that administration is responsible for their safety and protection. One of the concerns of students is the whereabouts of the guard who was assigned to a booth near the shooting. “I can’t say that it’s the fault of the security guard,” said Alan Bishop, a senior at CAU, “He should’ve had some backup so he wouldn’t have to do so many things at once.” The security guard was reportedly patrolling the campus at the time of the shooting. Since then, administration has employed more guards to protect students. However, many students feel that it is not enough. Tashia Eskew, who lives on campus in E.L. Simons Courts, said she has changed mentally but not physically. She is has always been alert since her apartment was almost burglarized last spring. “I’ll continue to use my mace and make use of the escorts availabe,” said Eskew. Eskew said there is more concern about safety since the killing but questions how long it will last. Officer S.L. Clark of the Atlanta Police mini-precinct located on Fair Street, said students must do whatever is necessary to protect themselves. Officer Clark said that the attitudes of students offend residents in the area causing them to harm students. “Students must take heed to their surroundings and realize that they don’t have the normal setting for a college campus,” said Officer Clark. The mini-precinct has extended its hours. They are open until 12 a.m. on Monday through Thursday and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Officers are also willing to speak to students and organizations on crime prevention. Not only are students, faculty and police concerned about safety in AUC. Local proprietor John Stegall is doing what he can to help out. “There have been times when we have escorted students back to their dorms,” said Stegall, “:Usually females who are afraid to walk down the street.” Mr. Stegall said, “There should be an escort on each corner so muggers won’t feel they have a chance of succeeding.” “Whatever we (Stegall’s) can do, we will so students won’t be hurt,” said Stegall, “But students should look into obtaining a permit for a gun.” Most students, predominantly females, now carry mace and have enrolled in self-defense classes while others are not bothered by the lack or increase in security. Franchesco Currie, a senior, said students have to be aware of their surroundings and stop being scared. “People sense when you are scared and take advantage of it,” said Currie. Currie has not taken any new measures of protection but is willing to escort female students who are afraid. Administration increased security and held a meeting on safeguarding students, But still, students feel their “safety is in their own hands.”