Safety in Public Places from Tucker Travis on Vimeo.
By Tucker Travis
After national bombings and threats to campus safety in the past week, it’s a scary thought that the target of an attack could be anywhere. Although public areas are difficult to completely protect, campus security professionals say that all it takes is a call.
“I would be unfair to say it’s easy to secure the University of Arkansas campus,” said Reggie Houser, Assistant Director for Logistics and Risk Management.
Spreading over three hundred acres and 200 buildings, the university’s public ground is vast and easily left vulnerable for an attack. An attack that could be similar to the one seen at the Boston marathon on April 15th. To some, that possibility is worrisome.
“What we have to do is get past that and stop ignoring things, and go ahead and have those things checked so be sure everyone is safe,” said Lt. Gary Crain, Public Information Officer at University of Arkansas police department.
Public places and even events, such as the red and white scrimmage game this past Saturday, are usually the target terror bombers choose. Especially since Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium holds more than 70 thousand people.
To help protect you and your surroundings it’s important to be aware of them. Reporting questionable activity is much better than ignoring it, such as an unattended backpack with no owner near.
“There are a lot of faces to providing safety to the U of A. It’s not just one department’s ability. It’s all of us working together,” said Lt. Crain.
Keeping a realistic idea of the threat of an attack is important, but not to dwell on it is key. “I just believe that people need to go about their business, be happy everyday that they’re at a great university and a great part of the country, but at the same time they need to be diligent,” said Houser.
There are many efforts put towards campus safety whether its by the police department or university housing. The U of A is only as safe as we make it.