Campus Security and Online Social Networks

On October 8, 2009 an attempted robbery took place at a home on Bluford St. in Greensboro, N.C., across the street of North Carolina A&T State University.

Two masked men entered the home and tried to rob four A&T students who were in the home at the time. While no one was seriously injured, one, Justin Campbell was taken to the school’s health center for minor injuries. There have been no arrests in this case.

A&T sophomore Jasmine Wilson says this incident is a “wake up call.”

She describes the incident as an eye opener. It lets you know that anyone can fall victim to a crime. When talking about being safe on campus, she talks about how her dad always told her to watch her surroundings and never go anywhere alone.

“These days crimes aren’t just occurring at night, now people are becoming brave enough to attack people during broad daylight,” says Wilson. Crimes aren’t uncommon on college campuses.

In January, Dennis Hayle, an A&T senior, was murdered outside his apartment complex. His murder has yet to be solved as well.

The rising crime rate is becoming an issue to students, faculty and staff, school administrators, and Student Government Association. No one wants to fall victim to any crime. So college campuses, specifically, A&T are taking safety precautions. They are using online social networks to warn students, faculty and staff about criminals.

Online social networks are becoming apart of the plan to get the word out about crimes around the area and how to maintain personal safety. Courtney Evans, says she learned of the recent attempted robbery through facebook and her friends discussing the matter.

Facebook is not only a social media outlet used to build relationships it is now becoming another outlet for people to get educated about different things.

When on campus, it is important to stay alert and always know your surroundings. Never leave doors or windows unlocked, if possible, deadbolt doors. Be very cautious about who you let in your dormitory.

The most common way for criminals to enter a building is for them to walk in behind some who lives there. These are just a few safety tips that could help prevent someone from becoming a victim of a crime.

When asked how safe she felt on campus, Amanda Flemming, a junior from Maryland, responded by saying, “she felt semi-safe.” This is not her first time hearing about such incidents on or around campus.

“It is said to say but it is becoming very common.”

Flemming feels some crimes will happen regardless of the amount of security a school may have. You just have to go the extra mile to protect yourself.

To get the word out, A&T’s SGA is beginning to have more forums and meetings about campus safety. Parents don’t send their kids away to college just to hear their kids have become a victim to a crime that could have possibly been prevented. Now with the new technology there are more ways to get the information out about being safe.

So now if you want to stay informed with the current events going on around your campus it is just a click away.

Do not hesitate to use face book or any other online social network to see what the latest news events are. Take the initiative to see what the latest safety tips are or when the next safety meeting will take place.

Do not wait until you become the next victim.