Security resources not fully utilized by Yalies

Margie Klein, DC '01, has learned not to walk alone at night. While making her way home two weeks ago, Klein had $160 taken from her at gunpoint on Wall Street. Then, in an unlucky twist of fate, she was mugged again in broad daylight almost exactly one week later.

COURTESY THE YALE

New Haven resident Jerry Gray, a Yale security officer who works in the 2-WALK program, an organization that provides escorts for students who would otherwise be walking alone at night, explained that Yalies tend to realize the dangers of the city only after they or their friends have been victims of crime. "[Yale] officials don't give [students] the full scoop about the city," he said. As a result, Yale students feel a false sense of security. Grey added, "[New Haven] is one of the most crime-ridden cities in New England."

Associate Director of University security programs Bob Cervone revealed that only one 2-WALK security officer monitors the entire Yale campus each night. "The amount of [students using] 2-WALK escorts, roughly eight to 10 a night, precludes having more officers," Cervone said. Gray added, "These numbers should be 25 to 50 per night."

The 2-WALK officers, who work with the Yale Police Department (YPD) and University security programs on non-police related tasks, raise awareness of their services at orientation programs. But Cervone explained that 2-WALK relies on word-of-mouth for publicity.

No campus security units besides the police are armed at Yale. The main advantage of using a 2-WALK escort is "the deterrent factor, the uniform," Cervone said.

According to Kamran Ansari, SM '00, head of the Yale College Council's (YCC) Projects Committee, improving campus security will be one of YCC's top priorities this year. The Projects Committee plans to push for "improved lighting in areas like High Street, improved shuttlemen, overhauling the 2-WALK program, and more escorting services," Ansari said.

YCC president Zach Kaufman, SY '00, said that campus security was a two-way street. "From what I know," he said, "most Yalies do not use the current security options that exist: the emergency buttons on the blue phones, the escort service, and the shuttle. I understand that these services are sometimes a little inconvenient, but [using them is] what we can do better to help protect ourselves."

Gray, who co-founded 2-WALK with his partner Jeff Manzie, pointed out, "Yalies can be seen by anyone who's from New Haven a mile away. It's so obvious that they're Yalies. Even Ray Charles could see it." Gray urged students, especially women, to use 2-WALK services. "Yale is not New Haven. If I were a female, I would never walk by myself at night. That's crime and disaster," he said.

"My job is to get [students] to their destination safely. I will do whatever it takes to get them home safely," Gray said, explaining that he would place himself between an assailant and a student should a dangerous situation ever occur.

Libby Smiley, JE '02, agreed with Gray's assessment of Yale and New Haven. When walking home alone late one Friday night, two men tried to persuade her to get into their car. Smiley quickly ran through the gates of Old Campus, and escaped, without anything happening to her. "While I generally feel really safe at Yale, there are times when I don't, and after hearing about these events, I wouldn't walk around alone, especially when it's dark," she said.

Acting Yale Police Chief James Perrotti also warned against walking alone. "Robberies are crimes of opportunity. Being alone creates that opportunity. So does darkness. The University has all kind of [security] services available," he said.

Perrotti added that over the last few years, the University has made a concerted and, in his opinion, successful effort to lower crime at Yale. "They've devoted a tremendous amount of resources to crime prevention, and crime has actually been on the decrease," he said.

Specifically, Perrotti confirmed that the number of robberies, which include crimes involving weapons or force, has fluctuated from eight in 1995, to nine in 1996, to five in 1997. The number of burglaries has decreased overall: from 256 in 1995, to 124 in 1996, to 92 in 1997.

Ansari, who was with Smiley before the incident occured, said, "As a guy, it's now pretty clear to me that it's important to make sure that if you're with a girl at night, you walk her home." He also felt it was crucial for all Yalies to avoid walking around New Haven alone at all costs.

Klein said that the muggings have forced her to change her usual routine in several ways. She now plans to wear a money belt inside her clothing so that her wallet will not be readily visible. Klein also stated that she will, in the future, always try to walk with others, even though she acknowledged that this "will mean relinquishing independence."

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