In an effort to increase efficiency and decrease liability concerns, the University revamped its safety escort system so that it can now provide more extensive services to students living on campus.

According to Capt. Jon Barnwell of Campus Police, Budd group security professionals will now operate the program and will be in constant radio contact with Campus Police.

“In the past, the program has used students who applied and were hired after extensive background checks,” Barnwell said. “Their students provided the campus with walking escorts and a safety patrol van between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.”

Barnwell said these student escorts will still be available, now until 5 a.m., but the van has been replaced to decrease liability concerns over student drivers.

“In addition to student escorts, there will now be a uniformed security officer that drives a marked vehicle,” Barnwell said. “Their driving escorts will now also be available to Centennial and the Biomedical Campus.”

Barnwell said by giving more responsibility to the escort system, Campus Police is freer to address other concerns on campus.

“The University Safety Escort System is a joint venture between the Campus Police and University Housing, and is a program which is vital to increasing campus safety after hours,” Barnwell said.

Katherine Hale, a senior in art and design, said she has called the service several times and she feels much safer when she has someone walking with her late at night.

“When you are walking alone, you feel more like a victim,” Hale said. “If you have someone walking with you, then anyone lurking in the shadows won’t jump out at you.”

Barnwell said that encouraging students not to venture out alone and always to walk in groups is a primary goal of the program.

“Crimes against individuals on campus are increased significantly when that person is walking by [himself or herself],” Barnewell said. “This program is meant to encourage students to walk with a group of people when traveling after hours.”

Brian Slightom, a senior in English education, said although it is important to maintain campus safety he is speculative about the effectiveness of the safety escort program.

“All my friends who have used this system talk about how it takes 15 to 20 minutes for the escort to arrive,” Slightom said. “I hope with these new upgrades, it will function more effectively and not leave students feeling stranded.”

Barnwell said it is important that students use this program as a prevention tool instead of waiting until a crime occurs before taking action to protect themselves.

“It is crucial that students be proactive and vigilant because the program can only be of value if students utilize it,” Barnwell said.