Spring Break
Student reaction mixed over new campus police weapon policy
Megan McGinley and Christi Salisbury-Ruf
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
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This decision stems from a previous policy that dates back to 1999 when the New York State Legislature granted "full police status to what had been better known as campus security officers," Dahl said. With this new-found status, however, Dahl did not approve UP requests to wear guns on their person. "We decided that the crime statistics and other data did not suggest the need for carrying arms, even though they [UP officers] continued to have all of the arms training," he said.
This policy, however, was revised in 2004 to include the provision that UP officers were allowed to have firearms in lockboxes both in the police station as well as in their vehicles.
In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, Dahl has once again modified the arms policy so as to fit the needs of the campus. According to Dahl, one of the primary reasons for altering this policy is that "if there is a tiny chance that having the officers able to have the guns and not spend a minute accessing them, that could make the difference between life and death for the officer or a student."
Student reaction to the decision has been very mixed, although more students seem to agree with the new policy than oppose. "I think that it is a good idea given what has just happened [at Virginia Tech]," said Brianna Iervese. "I agree with it because if a situation like what occurred at Virginia Tech should happen, they need to be armed and ready," added freshman Erin Filippini.
Some students who think the policy is a good idea did have reservations. Senior Mohammad Partapurwala stated that "It's not a bad thing, my only concern would be that the presence of guns might allow someone to take the gun off the UP officer in a fight." Freshman Sarah Smithers said, "I have mixed feelings about it. As long as they are responsible though, it should be ok."
Those who oppose the policy say the change may not be helpful in a real life crisis situation. Sophomore Emily Upham said, "I'm actually against it. I think that they shouldn't change the logistics just because of one event and assume we have the same risk." Reflecting on the events of the Virginia Tech tragedy, student Tracy Gosta said, "I don't see how that will stop anyone who wants to do that. It may or may not help."
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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