SCAD Security offers safety tips
By Myrriah Gosset
After the slew of reports from SCAD security last weekend students were continuously warned to stay vigilant and utilize security when they are departing from a building at night. Jeff Smith, the head of security for Savannah campus, offered some tips and advice to students.
“There are a couple of options [when leaving a building]: there is, of course, the bus service to all the open buildings. There is also the escort service, which is kind of building specific. If you wanted an escort to the bus or bike rack, or to your car [security] will walk you,” Smith said.
There are some limitations, however. Guards cannot leave their posts, but they can call for another guard to come and walk students to their cars as long as they are within four blocks of the building. Sometimes guards will also offer for security vehicles to drive alongside students until they get to their cars.
Students can also be driven in the rovers. The small cars usually patrol areas around Barnard Village, Dyson and Turner Houses.
Smith also encourages students to call the Safe Ride, or Red Eye Ride services, which can be reached on the security phone number (912) 525-4500. The service will pick up students from buildings or locations downtown and drive students to either on or off campus residence within the downtown to midtown limits.
“We will make sure you get a safe ride home,” said Smith. He explained that even if the student was farther out of downtown they will make an exception to make sure students stay safe.
As for patrolling around buildings, guards are required to hit checkpoints every hour which include a patrol around the exterior of the buildings as well.
Smith offers the Four R’s system for staying vigilant:
Risk Awareness: Looking around while walking, not listening to iPods or talking on the phone are tips to staying more aware when out. Seeing what is going on in the area as well as knowing what is going on in the city are other tips to staying aware. Smith recommends checking on the local crime map on the SCMPD’s Web site for up-to-date information.
Risk Reduction: Steps to reducing the chance of being a victim of a crime according to security include walking in groups, keeping valuables out of site, locking cars and bikes along with staying in well-lit areas.
“A single student walking by themselves at 3 a.m., they all had that in common,” Smith explained, regarding the multiple muggings last weekend.
The hours to avoid being alone according to Smith are 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“10 p.m. to 5 a.m. are the witching hours, higher rate of robberies and accidents as well. Friday and Saturday’s are always the worst because of drunk drivers,” Smith said.
Risk Recognition: “Listen to the voice in your head that tells you something isn’t right,” explained Smith.
Coming upon a bad situation, or just having a bad feeling according to Smith is the first step to recognition.
“It’s like when you go to get on an elevator, and only one person is in it and something tells you not to get on and wait for the next one,” said Smith.
Listen to instinct and intuition.
Risk Avoidance: The final “R” is about taking steps to keep from being victimized. Using the escort ride, the bus or calling a friend for a safe ride are all ways to avoid bad situations, Smith explained.
SCAD is also taking steps to make sure incoming freshmen know more about safety on campus and around the city. The First Year Experience class, required for every freshman has classes dedicated to being safer.
Many students also carry pocket sized pepper spray with them, often found on key chains. Smith explained that while security doesn’t mind if it’s a small one, people who do carry them should make sure they know how to use it. He often explained that cross contamination is a frequent problem with pepper spray.
Smith encourages students who have more questions to email him. “People can always email with questions and concerns. We can fill people in on the facts so they know what is really going on.”
SCAD Security can be reached at security@scad.edu or at (912) 525-4500.
