With the end of regular semester classes comes a mass exodus of students from campus, thus traditionally all is pretty quiet in May for Campus Security. Last month was no exception, with low recorded losses by way of stolen property or damages, and fewer than 80 incidents.
The incidents were of the common variety: accidents, disturbances, thefts, and general mischief. The highlights of the monthly report included an incident of indecent exposure, where a seriously drunken man took a stroll in the buff during a kids’ soccer game in the rugby fields. He later claimed to be an athlete changing and warming up for a jog around the fields.
Most summer offenses are committed by people not associated with the university and are not affected by university policies and are outside campus jurisdiction.
“Basically every weekend is BSD,” said Campus Security Manager Lanny Fritz. “There are two drinking establishments on campus, and we deal with over 2,000 people every weekend. Our officers and staff are able to successfully manage everything and have gone through training courses with the Calgary Police Service.”
Fritz added the fading of Electric Avenue as a centre of nighttime activity has made the university a more attractive place to pick up young women.
“You can imagine what kind of people those are,” he said. “They come out drunk, and sometimes disappointed. That’s when they break windows or begin verbally insulting others.”
In light of the events in Colorado and Taber, Campus Security will distribute a pamphlet on personal security, which will be available to clubs, students and staff.
“Although the university is not subject to the same pressures and influences as a high school might [be], these are concerns that we need to address,” noted Fritz.
The pamphlet includes information on personal security procedures, what to do when threatened or attacked and personal safety tips. Simple things such as carrying a backpack and wearing comfortable clothing, both of which allow for greater movement in case you need to run or fight back, greatly increase personal security, said Fritz.
Campus Security also tentatively plans to send four or five officers to a Native camp near Brocket, Alberta as part of a diversity training seminar. The Campus Security officers, joined by 25 Calgary Police Service officers, will be culturally immersed in Native society and work with Native elders. The camp would likely take place in September and last for a week.