Author: Sam Van Buren
In a time when going green is becoming increasingly necessary, Campus Safety should explore energy-saving and cost-cutting alternatives to their patrol cars as a means to improve their interactions with the Occidental community. Communication between Campus Safety and students is essential in strengthening an already close bond between the two groups, and new eco-friendly vehicles can facilitate an improvement.
While the officer’s uniform might bring to mind the classic image of authority or “the establishment,” Campus Safety officers are actually friendly, personable individuals who want to engage with students. However, the day-to-day interactions, or the lack there of, between officers and students reinforce a feeling of disconnect between the parties. Campus Safety’s use of automobiles plays a significant role in separating students from officers, and the addition of some open air electric vehicles, similar to golf carts, could rectify this situation.
Campus Safety officers at other colleges and universities around the nation have begun to utilize alternate modes of transportation that put them in close-contact with students and the public. In addition to SUVs, USC’s public safety department uses Segway-like vehicles that are emissions-free and allow officers to cruise around sidewalks, academic quads and parking lots with ease.
The use of these vehicles allows for daily conversation and contact with officers that makes them people, not uniforms. This is essential in building a strong relationship between those responsible for securing the campus and students. While Occidental’s security needs differ from USC’s, the importance of communication and environmentally responsible policies are similar at both institutions.
Despite the increased accessibility and decreased emissions associated with electric carts, Campus Safety maintains that the cost of these vehicles is prohibitive for Occidental and could sacrifice officer safety. Campus Safety relies on its vehicles to conduct patrols in the neighborhood and on the campus perimeter at night, which are not ideal situations for using electric carts. Thus far the department has acquired three hybrid patrol cars, which is a significant step forward in reducing vehicle emissions associated with the department’s patrols.
“Officers need a place to retreat to in a dangerous situation,” Campus Safety Director Holly Nieto said when asked about the use of electric carts instead of cars.
Although the department certainly relies on cars for some situations, this does not mean that alternative vehicles do not have a place on campus. During the summer, several officers patrol the campus on bicycles, which makes them far more approachable and integrated within the greater campus community. Adding electric carts to Campus Safety’s fleet would extend this level of interaction into the academic year when it is most beneficial for the campus community.
Campus Safety officers consistently make an effort to engage students in a friendly, respectful manner; however, they can only do this when they are actually in contact with students. While patrol cars are an important part of Campus Safety’s vehicle fleet, they are not particularly environmentally friendly and keep officers isolated from students. If Campus Safety cannot procure electric vehicles then officers should ride with the windows down, smiling, giving friendly hand signals and head nods and students should do the same.
Sam Van Buren is an undeclared sophomore. He can be reached at vanburen@oxy.edu
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