UCF Commentary

Is UCF campus as safe as it is made out to be? With putting time and knowledge into research it has been brought to my attention that there have been several attacks on the UCF campus. Our campus needs a few improvements to help protect our student body and faculty. The attacks have taken place during the night which makes it easier on the attacker to set a plot. So far this year, there have been two attacks targeting the same person twice in one week. By having, garage security cameras it has been easier for the campus police to identify the make and the model that the attacker drives. If we had more cameras around the campus there would be more of a chance to finding the attacker. Even though, UCF offers campus webcams in selective locations this gives the ability for anybody to view that goes to UCF. By giving the people access this makes the selective locations an easier target for predators to attack. UCF provides systems such as the blue light phone, and garage cameras as well as outdoor sirens.

By UCF allowing the population to view live campus web cameras this gives the attacker the ability to view individuals every move. For instance, the attacker could be anywhere around campus connected to UCF Wi-Fi watching his targets current locations. Whether or not, it’s walking out the gym doors or simply sitting down for a meal the attacker is watching every move your making having the mind set when to make their move. UCF is allowing any MyUCF account holder to view these camera locations not knowing they could put lives in danger. The web cameras that are provided to us should be for security use only.
According to UCF the safety features that are provided around the school campus would be Emergency Blue light phones. Every student should be well aware of the Emergency Blue Light phones, they can be found throughout the campus for emergency use only. For example, the emergency blue light phone should be accessed by a person who is being chased by an attacker. Also should be used if someone has gotten hurt or need police assistance.

UCF has put 4 new outdoor sirens around campus due to the attack at Virginia Tech University. With adding outdoor sirens this makes the UCF population aware of an event that is taking place around campus. Therefore, this makes UCF a safer environment while getting place to place outdoors. The next step that UCF is taking is to install 30 indoor sirens in the most occupied buildings to warn students of emergencies. These systems help alert the students that there is an emergency on campus but one thing the system doesn’t do is let the students and faculty know where the emergency is happening. This can lead to a problem because this can provide the students and faculty with the knowledge that there is a problem but they can run into the emergency.

As you can see walking through the campus garages there are several cameras throughout all of the levels. The cameras give access for emergencies situations such as someone being attacked, robbery, or even a hit and run. Recently one of my good friends had accidently hit another car left a note taking all the right percussions. The garage cameras were able to identify my friend’s make and model of his car. This situation is similar to an event that lead to find an attackers make and model of the car of which he was driving. Therefore, the UCF police can keep an eye out for that type of car being driven. On the surveillance video there is a current time that can be linked to a situation that has happened on campus. The cameras around the garage are an accurate source for campus police.

If you’re ever over at UCF these attacks aren’t an everyday thing but your better safe than sorry. Things to know: you are more prone to getting attacked at night when you travel alone. A few things you can do to prevent this from happening is if you aren’t with anyone to call someone and let them know where you are and stay on the phone with them till you get all the way to your car and have it started to be sure you are safe. One other way is to have a friend pick you up or make friends with someone in your night class and plan to park near or around them so you can walk with them back to your cars (the buddy system). Another thing that won’t hurt is to have the campus police number in your phone as a speed dial. There is one thing to remember this world isn’t safe you just have to be aware of your surroundings and be proactive (meaning think about the situation before it happens and prepare for it).


 
Works Cited

"Campus Safety." Knightly News. 04/16/09. UCF. 14 Oct 2009


Fortis, Bianca. "Student attacked twice in one week." Central
Florida Future 09/24/09: A1. Print.