1:50 p.m., Oct. 16, 2008----Two dozen students led top campus safety administrators through a two-hour walk through the Newark campus after dusk on Tuesday Oct. 14, to point out and discuss areas that require additional lighting and other security improvements. The Campus Safety Walk began in the East Lounge of the Perkins Student Center and ended outside George Read Hall on the Laird Campus.

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The walk was organized by the StUDent Government Association (SGA), the Department of Campus and Public Safety, the Resident Student Association and Greek Council to address safety concerns on and around campus.

The students were joined in the walk by Albert 'Skip' Homiak, executive director of campus and public safety at UD, UD Police Chief James Flatley, Marcia Nickle, UD emergency preparedness coordinator, and Gary Pennington, manager of electrical services.

SGA President Teagan Gregory introduced the campus safety administrators and invited the students to share their concerns.

“I just want you to know that the University of Delaware is committed to the safety of students in this community,” Homiak said. “Unfortunately, there is a segment of society that is looking for the opportunity to commit crimes. We want you to speak up and tell us about that. We usually hear from officers who walk out there with guns on their hips, so maybe you see it differently.”

The group stopped at several locations and pointed out dark sections, including sections of The Green and an area between Drake Hall and Colburn Laboratory, which was described as “really creepy” by Danielle Wrightsman, a senior biology major.

“I walk through here all the time and I find myself walking in the middle of the parking lot,” Christopher McElwee, a freshman University studies major said of the Morris Library parking lot.

Sarah Joyner, a freshman University studies major, said a walking path between Rodney and Dickinson residence halls is usually well-lit, but the street lights turn on and off intermittently.

“It gets really dark really fast,” Joyner said. “Even when the light is on, I've walked to a light and seen it turn off. It's really scary.”

Pennington explained that street lights that turn on and off at night are defective and need to be repaired. He encouraged students to report any broken light by calling (302) 831-1141 as soon as possible. Although some outdoor lights around campus belong to the City of Newark, Pennington said his department works closely with the city to help fix reported defects.

“If you turn it in, we take all lights seriously, especially around residence halls,” Pennington said.

The walk took the group to west campus and then north on Elkton Road to Main Street, North College Avenue and on to the Laird Campus.

Homiak, Nickle and Flatley continuously took notes and conferred with each other as the students spoke about their concerns.

Homiak told the students that some of the areas that they had pointed out are already under consideration for additional safety measures, such as additional lighting and monitored surveillance cameras. He reminded the students that they need to play their role by taking precautions, maintaining vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities.

“It went well,” Homiak said after the walk. “It's encouraging to see the students taking responsibility for their safety and stepping up to the plate.”

Article by Martin A. Mbugua
Photos by Kevin Quinlan