The Observer, February 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18
Security changes are not a matter of dollars but sense
When Case announced its plans to shift funding from the University Circle Police Department to its own security force, much of the media took an opportunity to attack the financial problems of the University. However, the media's slanted view of the situation reflects poorly upon them and once again highlights the mindset that has hindered University Circle in the past.
The issue of security at Case and in University Circle is not a matter of money to the university, but instead efficiency. Many students will openly talk about their insecurities on and around campus – a lack of lighting, lack of protection from intruders, and sketchy police presence. Everyone knows of these problems; they are often highlighted in security e-mails. On what should be their safe campus, students are assaulted, harassed, robbed, and frightened. When the police force cannot keep an area secure and one institution is financially responsible for half of that department, reconsidering the distribution of resources makes sense. For the money that Case puts into the University Circle Police Department, it is not yielding the results that students want. Students should not complain that this move will be bad for the security on campus – it should have the opposite effect. As a business and a campus, it makes logical sense for the shift in funds.
This change would not save Case any money, nor would it hurt the overall security of University Circle as portrayed by the media. Although the UCI would lose over $2 million, that money would be transferred over to the long-rumored Case Police Department – an institution that most colleges have, especially those in urban settings. With the extra money, Case could transfer the police officers from University Circle to the new police department, and security in the region would become more focused. Although UCI would have less officers, they would have significantly less land to cover in the district, as the Case campus is a majority of land in the area. Therefore the remaining officers from UCI could focus on the retail, museums, and surrounding neighborhoods that fall under their jurisdiction. The rest of the land – campus – would not need their supervision as it does now, and that area would also become safer from an increased and more legitimate security force; a full police force that would replace the often-ridiculed Case Security.
There was also speculation that a decreased police force would endanger the security of the surrounding neighborhoods. Sorry to burst any bubbles, but there is no neighborhood in University Circle outside of our school. Poor but deliberate planning, urban sprawl, and a lack of sufficient housing stock have led to an area populated by renters and economically-inhibited residents.
In actuality, this change should create a more efficient and safer University Circle. There is, however, an even better (idealistic) method to increasing security in the region. Bring in residents with vested interest in the land. Have walkable streets and a twenty-four hour lifestyle. Think regionally instead of having all focus on single organizations. Collaborate. Those changes would have a greater impact than this simple power struggle for a badge will ever have.
