Security and police influences mesh

Needless to say, the Fairchild assault incident left the campus on edge. Students began to question their personal safety, and many stopped feeling safe altogether.

Though it would be easy to blame the rise in fear on a weakness in security, students realize that it is impossible to be protected at all times. The Oberlin Police Department and Oberlin College Safety and Security are, however, resources which can protect and help students. But who do students depend on in each situation, and who has jurisdiction over campus and town?

Keith James is director of Oberlin College Safety and Security. According to James, students should know who to call, when to call them and where they can be located.

Security has jurisdiction over the campus properties, buildings and acreage. The police have jurisdiction over the whole city, including the campus. Security does not have jurisdiction over off-campus students or their behavior while off-campus, but they do provide support such as the shuttle service.

Security is usually the initial respondent to a crime scene, but they do not prohibit the victim from calling in the police. According to Captain Tom Miller, Security has the authority to handle all misdemeanors, which includes theft under $500.

Theft above $500 and crimes against persons are considered a felony and Security calls in the police.

"We try to include them as much as possible in any crime on campus," James said of Oberlin police involvement.

Security sends the Police Department copies of their reports, in case the police are alerted to a similar incident. Likewise, the Police Department notifies Security of incidents with off-campus students.

Once the police are called to campus by Security, they take full responsibility of the crime scene and the evidence.

Basically, Security deals with all non-felony incidents on campus, such as large, loud house parties. Miller said that the police will not come out unless called by Security. "We've been on campus for security requests for parties and demonstrations," he said.

Off-campus parties are out of Security's jurisdiction, and Miller said the police will not intervene unless there is a complaint. They will stop students for public consumption and open containers.

Animosity between security and police over the overlapping jurisdictions seems to be non-existent. They have worked very closely together, and, as a result, have developed a close relationship. According to James, "We have an excellent relationship. The police chief and myself meet very frequently."

The Security Office is located two doors down from the Wilder Student Union. Many students do not know where it is, nor do they think that security is visible on campus.

First-year Megan Smith said, "I don't think it's visible, but I know it's there, and that's how it should be." First-year Mary Beth Hurtz said, "I would feel like I was in a prison camp if there were security guards walking around."

Visible or not, Security is definitely a service on campus. Most students already know about two things provided by security: the shuttle and the blue light system. The shuttle is a recent intiative institued with the help of various student groups. Security also provides scheduled crime prevention programs and emergency phones on the outside of buildings.