When you hear the word “security” what words come to mind? Parking ticket, judicial, health center…Well there is a new program on campus that will hopefully add some kinder words to your vocabulary.
Starting next week the Fairfield University Security Department (FUSD) is kicking off a Ride Along program that will allow interested students to accompany officers on their day and evening rounds.
“The program was created to help foster better relations between students and security”, according to Kurt Kuechler ’03, one of the four founders of the program, “We are trying to show students that there is a whole other side to security.”
Frank Marx, ’04, thinks it is a good idea, but questions how beneficial it will be for the student body as a whole.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Marx, “but it may foster better relations only between the students who participate and security.”
Students, until now, haven’t had a chance to meet casually with security on a regular basis. Usually the only confrontations students participate in occur after a night of excess drinking or after causing a community disturbance, which often leaves students with a feeling of contempt for the officers.
The hope is that after driving around and interacting with security for a couple of hours these harsh points of view will change and a sense of respect will emerge from both sides.
Once signed up for the program participants will be briefed on what is expected of them and be asked to keep all experiences confidential. Then they can choose a weekly time when they are available to ride with officers.
Although the program is targeted towards students hoping to become involved in law enforcement it is open to anyone and may be useful as a resident assistant training tool.
If you are interested in participating in the program you can contact Todd Pelazza, Director of the FUSD at extension 4090.
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