The sixth annual Campus Safety Walk was an opportunity hosted after-dark for students and staff to make safety recommendations. The walk was cosponsored by the RCL advisory Board, Campus Police and the Real Estate Foundation. About 36 participants, students and staff, gathered at the Chi Fountain on Nov 15 at 7 p.m. The event is strategically scheduled following daylight savings time to evaluate unsafe situations students may face on walks at night.
There was a total of nine tour zones that the groups examined in less than an hour. Lancer park, Longwood Landings, and Longwood Village were included in those zones. Bus transportation was provided for the groups venturing off campus. For the first year, Farmville police officer Christie Booth, joined the Campus Safety Walk in order to take notice of safety concerns and recommendations.
This year the groups were specifically asked to make suggestions for areas that could use surveillance cameras to make the campus more secure.
Electrician supervisor Greg Stapleton led a group on a tour and offered advice to students.
“Always buddy up, don’t keep your head down in your phone, keep your eyes up so you can see people and don’t get taken advantage of,” said Stapleton.
Other faculty members expressed concerns regarding students using their phones and often not being aware of their surroundings.
Junior Alisha Easley participated in the walk as a freshman and this year she helped lead a group around the Lankford Mall area.
“The Safety Walk is something that’s important for all of us to feel comfortable because this is our home and the more students that participate, the more important this will be and things can be changed if students come out and participate,” said Easley.
Some potential improvements the groups noted was the addition of lighting around Longwood Village and Longwood Landings. Some groups expressed the need for more lighting around bus stops. Other concerns regarding trip hazards like loose bricks or uneven sidewalks were brought to attention.
As the walk concluded, each participant received a “LANCERS Safe” keyring.
“It was a pretty neat experience just to be able to connect and bond over, just around campus together and looking for things that may not be safe,” said Associate Director of residential Operations, Doug Howell.
