Freshman Matthew Del Rosso awaits the installation of new security cameras in the freshman dorms, hoping that they will minimize vandalism on campus.
“I think if something did happen on the second floor of Campion, now they have the luxury of going back and looking at some footage to get to the bottom of it,” said Del Rosso, a resident of Campion Hall.
In the past year, the Department of Public Safety has led the initiative to install security systems in the hallways of dormitory buildings. Currently, security cameras are being installed in Campion and Regis with plans to retrofit Gonzaga and Campion before DPS moves onto other buildings.
“Our goal is to get more cameras actually on the exterior gate entrances for security purposes, as well as interior in buildings. Not just residence halls but all over the campus,” said Todd Pelazza, director of public safety.
Junior Stephanie Oliver, resident assistant in the Ignatian Residential College, is hopeful that the addition of cameras in hallways would eliminate the need for students paying for damage that has occurred on their floor.
“I think it’s really just putting the responsibility on people that need to be responsible for it. Especially just seeing over the years thousands of dollars’ worth of damages put on people that don’t deserve to be pay all the damages,” said Oliver.
Pelazza described the initiative for a stronger security system as a “systematic approach,” which is only recently being slowed down because of budget issues. However, Pelazza reassured the student body that closed-circuit television cameras have been assets to Fairfield for over 15 years.
According to Pelazza, due to the security system recently put in place, DPS has been able to solve several crimes occurring within the dormitory halls. Pelazza referred to an ongoing case in which the new security system was significant in that investigation.
“One crime that we were able to solve, that I really can’t talk about yet because it’s in litigation now, was very instrumental in the use of those cameras. A lot of the vandalism in the elevators, as well as the residence halls, have been solved because of the use of those cameras,” said Pelazza.
While many students and administrators find the new security objectives beneficial to the university, Dana Garcia ‘17, a resident in Jogues Hall, has some worries.
“I think that [DPS officers] do their job. I think that they do it well. I think they are too pushy though,” Garcia said. “Cameras are an invasion of privacy and I think it’s weird that they can watch us whenever they want.”
However, Pelazza said he believes that cameras in the hallways will not bring up any privacy issues.
“There is an expectation of privacy. That’s why cameras are not in areas like residence hall rooms, bathrooms, locker rooms, etcetera,” said Pelazza.
Overall, the divide between students on security issues comes in on the topic of privacy versus comfort. For some, security cameras would provide students a comfort of living in a safe environment, while for others it would be discomforting knowing that they are always being watched.
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