Members of the Ball State Public Safety Committee drove through campus Monday night to discuss lighting, emergency phone systems and other safety measures. The tour is conducted annually to identify and solve safety concerns.
The group wove from the Quad to the parking garage by the Woodworth Complex, with stops in between at such places as the football stadium and the metered parking lot by the Art and Journalism building. Cpl. Dave Starkey of University Police was the tour guide.
"Ball State has done a fine job of keeping students safe," Starkey said. "It's a beautiful and safe campus."
About 1,400 to 1,500 pole lights have been installed across campus over the past 10 years, Tom Smith, director of facilities planning and management said.
Two electricians go out every night to fix any light problems, Smith said.
But with so many lights already in existence, more are going to be installed in the next year, Smith said.
When McKinley Avenue is altered to weave around Shafer Tower, Smith said, extra pole lights will be installed.
But lighting is not the only thing that prevents crime, Starkey said. Emergency phone boxes are installed to help students get help fast.
The phones get a lot of use, Starkey said. When a button in the box is pushed, police immediately rush to the box's location, Starkey said.
"The instant you pick it up, you're alive," Smith said.
Trees and hills can also be used for crime prevention, Starkey said.
Two small hills with planted pine trees has been built up near the C1 commuter parking lot and in front of Scheidler Apartments.
Starkey said the hills keep parking lots and residences out of the sight of possible criminals, but also hinder police when trying to inspect an area.
Physical barriers to crime are important, but education is also needed, Starkey said.
Police lectures about campus safety issues and the dangers of drugs and alcohol are given at residence halls, during freshman orientation programs and throughout the rest of the school year, Starkey said.
The committee members said they felt these safety precautions are enough and don't think much else needs to be done.
"We're reaching a point of perfection," Smith said.
According to the Department of Public Safety's Web site, five forcible sex offenses, 39 burglaries, six vehicle thefts and six arsons took place on campus in 2001.
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