Students question safety

Despite security changes made by the Southern University Police Department after the shooting death of freshman Maximillian Johnson, many students still feel that the department is not providing adequate security to ensure their safety and well being.
Many students are asking themselves questions such as: “Will I be attacked while walking from the library after a late night study session?” “Could the perpetrator possibly be an SU student?” Who will be next?”
Sophomore Tamara Crawford is asking these questions. She is concerned about her safety as well as the safety of her friends who live on campus.
“It’s more than just fixing a broken light or call box,” said the agriculture major from Baton Rouge. “The police department and the administration need to listen to students because we are the ones who are affected by this.”
“I live in Totty Hall and there is not enough security in the dorm,” said Kim Mitchell, a junior psychology major from Monroe. “It seems as if all of the officers are focusing on finding the person responsible for the shooting.”
Though understaffed and overwhelmed, according to SUPD Chief Dale Flowers, the main priority of the department is to protect the students on campus.
“We have officers on foot patrol assigned to each dormitory and its surrounding areas,” said Flowers.
SUPD is also receiving assistance from other law enforcement agencies. Officers from the Baton Rouge Constable’s Office patrol the footbridge near the Law Center from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Easy access to the residential area by pedestrians and vehicles on the back of campus via the checkpoint and a lack of police presence at the footbridge is two of the main problems students have with campus security.
“It’s funny how officers at the checkpoint question students with commuter tags more aggressively than they question me and I haven’t attended SU in over a year,” said former student Kevin August.
Since the shooting, SUPD have implemented new checkpoint procedures. According to Flowers, commuter students and students from other residential areas on campus will have to show a student ID and log in the time of arrival, departure, and destination. Any other passengers in the car will have to also present the same information. However, drivers whose vehicles are not registered with the department must show a state-issued ID.
“It is a shame that someone has to lose their life before they (SUPD) implement stronger regulations. Really, I don’t believe that the system will work past a month because most of the officers are lazy,” said Corey Guillory, a sophomore therapeutic recreation major from Lake Charles.
“This is the standard checkpoint procedure 24 hours a day and if anyone refuses to show the proper credentials, they will not be allowed past the checkpoint under any circumstances,” said Flowers.
Even though it may seem as if most students are fed up with SUPD, some feel that since the murder officers are more attentive than ever before.
“I have never seen so many officers in Bradford (Hall),” said Marceid Hatcher, a sophomore civil engineering major from Carson, Calif. “They patrol the halls and the parking lots and they even ask us if everything is alright. I feel pretty safe.”
SUPD is asking all students to cooperate with them and report any suspicious or criminal activity. They can do so by calling the police department at 771-2770, 2771, or 2772 and by using the Crimestoppers program at 771-3784 which offers annonymous tips and cash rewards for information leading to the arrest.
“Unfortunately we can’t be everywhere at the same time,” said Flowers. “It is up to the students to assist us and be the eyes and the ears around campus to help us create a safer environment.”