Student reaction mixed over new campus police weapon policy
Megan McGinley and Christi Salisbury-Ruf
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
The general sentiment among students, however, was sadness at the recent events that have happened. Many said they understand the need for UP to be prepared for difficult situations. Senior Dara Omer stated, "I think it is reasonable that they should have them because they are trained to use them."
Chief of University Police James Stenger was out of the office Monday and Tuesday and was unable to respond before the printing of this issue. According to Dahl, officer opinion has been overwhelmingly in support of full arming.
Geneseo is the only college left in the SUNY system that does not adhere to the policy of having their police officers carry firearms at all times. "I'm comfortable with this [status] because I think there is no other campus that's quite like Geneseo - we have a special location and student body, a great police force, and two other police forces, a third which is a ten minute drive away," he said. However, Dahl did say he feels the need to become united with SUNY in a time where the system is under scrutiny in terms of campus safety.
"This change is not a 180 degree shift," said Dahl. "I want the people in our community to understand what is going on, which is why I've replied to faculty and student e-mails regarding this issue," he said. "We think the police are here to help build community and they should be doing community policing. Now, they can do that to their fullest potential while ensuring safety for all."
Chief of University Police James Stenger was out of the office Monday and Tuesday and was unable to respond before the printing of this issue. According to Dahl, officer opinion has been overwhelmingly in support of full arming.
Geneseo is the only college left in the SUNY system that does not adhere to the policy of having their police officers carry firearms at all times. "I'm comfortable with this [status] because I think there is no other campus that's quite like Geneseo - we have a special location and student body, a great police force, and two other police forces, a third which is a ten minute drive away," he said. However, Dahl did say he feels the need to become united with SUNY in a time where the system is under scrutiny in terms of campus safety.
"This change is not a 180 degree shift," said Dahl. "I want the people in our community to understand what is going on, which is why I've replied to faculty and student e-mails regarding this issue," he said. "We think the police are here to help build community and they should be doing community policing. Now, they can do that to their fullest potential while ensuring safety for all."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 16
Noah Dreiblatt
posted 4/26/07 @ 4:03 PM EST
I do not believe that giving UP deadly weapons will "help build community," and it is unfortunate that our president does. I am already much less comfortable walking around campus knowing that University Police, completely unnecessarily, are armed. (Continued…)
Jill
posted 4/27/07 @ 9:42 AM EST
I am in full support of the officers finally being allowed to carry their guns. Sure there is outside police but what if they are not around if something big happens. (Continued…)
Sarah
posted 4/28/07 @ 6:26 AM EST
I am far more comfortablr about having the University Police have guns. Its not like they did not already have them in their office, they are well trained and it adds to the protection on campus. (Continued…)
Samuel Forlenza
posted 9/06/07 @ 7:47 PM EST
There are two reasons for UP to have guns.
First, to LIMIT the amount of violence, should it occur. The point is not to stop or prevent, because if someone really wants to shoot up a classroom, they can. (Continued…)
Dispatcher Sullivan
posted 11/25/08 @ 11:40 AM EST
My name is Ms. Sullivan, commonly known as Dispatcher Sullivan, a student at Quinsigamnond Community College, Worcester Mass. I recently was asked to become the Dispatcher for our Campus Police Station and was astonished when finding out that our Police officers whom had gone through the State Academy were not permitted to have firearms. (Continued…)
Rusty
posted 11/27/08 @ 1:17 PM EST
The dispatcher is right, and this was a good decision. Police officers need to tools to do their job. Nobody ever expects a tragedy or ever think it can happen to them. (Continued…)
Business Opportunities
posted 11/30/08 @ 9:10 PM EST
At some colleges they let students, that have had training, carry firearms. The idea is for the police to never need to use them, but have them just in case there is a need. (Continued…)
Laura
posted 12/03/08 @ 4:52 PM EST
We can go back and forth all we want, but at the end of everything -- we are losing more and more of our personal and collective safety and free will by allowing an already strong presence force to become more powerful. (Continued…)
John Dooley
posted 12/04/08 @ 6:37 PM EST
For those worried about too powerful a police force, there is a simple solution. Allow students who are over 21, and have no legal restrictions to carry also. (Continued…)
someone
posted 12/05/08 @ 4:05 PM EST
I completely agree with Mari. Though I have no issue with UP carrying guns, I would feel much less comfortable if other people were allowed to carry guns on campus. (Continued…)
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