Tuesday, August 28, 2007
When my roommate moved back into her parents’ house last January, I was excited to live alone- and until the spring semester ended, living alone was everything I had hoped it would be. Because Lawrence was over-flowing with college students it never occurred to me how isolated I actually was and how dangerous living alone is.
Even though the apartment complex I was living in at the time did not have a security system, I hardly ever bothered to lock my door. Lawrence reminded me of the small town I used to live in and so I was too naïve to envision worst-case scenarios.
However, as the nation saw through Kelsey Smith’s abduction, there are people who are not as fortunate as me.
It’s embarrassing that it took Smith’s murder to force our community to give more thought to the dangers around us. But our shame should not stop us from learning from this tragedy.
As many know, Smith was forced into her own car by her murderer, in the day light, in the parking lot of the Target across the street from Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Kan. Smith’s abduction was one of few cases in which someone who was physically able to fight back was kidnapped during the day, in a public place, in a good part of town.
All Targets have security cameras as well as a security guard who can usually be found standing inside of the building near the front doors during the stores’ business hours. Yet Smith fell through the cracks.
This problem applies more specifically to students at the University of Kansas than one might think at first glance.
Every time I have heard the question of security mentioned in conjunction with the University, the answer has always been more “blue lights.”
The blue lights, located on select blocks at the University, are activated by pushing a button on the lights’ poles. Then, said blue light sends a message to campus security who supposedly arrives lightning-fast to the area where the light was activated.
Regardless of the number of blue lights, it only takes a few seconds to murder or abduct someone. So having blue lights on every corner is not going to solve the problem.
I applaud Student Senate and others’ efforts to provide more security at the University. However, I think it’s more important to focus on how to individually protect ourselves.
Before leaving her home to go to Target, Smith told her parents and her boyfriend where she was headed. But, again, as we have now learned, alerting someone else of our whereabouts only helps in the aftermath of a situation.
When I am walking in Lawrence at night I talk, or pretend to talk, on my cell phone. While this is no more helpful than pushing a button on a blue light, it’s at least a free form of discouragement.
And as painful as this may sound, keep your iPod volume on LOW. Even in a group of people, it would be easy to sneak up on someone who has their music on high.
Create a plan of what you would do if danger did present itself while at home alone. As dumb as they seemed, the fire escape plans we used to learn before every bus ride would have saved our lives in case of an actual emergency. Most importantly, always carry the fear of abduction in the back of your mind when alone. If you are at least a little worried about abduction, you will be less reckless.
Chambers is a Paola sophomore in journalism and political science.
Chambers: Personal safety is a must
Kelsey Smith's murder made Francesca Chambers more aware of her own surroundings ...
Invisible children movement raises money at University ...
At a screening of its film “GO” four scholorships were raised for ...
Moffitt: Modern technology creates new scandals
With the rise of cell phones and social networking site, our political ...
Who you gonna call?
A reporter’s search for the paranormal turns up some interesting information and ...
Dancers to perform after months of rehearsal
The University Dance Company will perform its Fall concert tonight and Friday ...
To hell and back
A fight outside Naismith Hall began Thor Nystrom's year-long journey into the ...
Focusing on safety
With finals in full swing, stressed students may behave in unsafe ways, ...
Blog: Stalking Online
Facebook stalking myself?
Unlicensed: A T-Shirt Tale
Meet Larry Sinks, the man behind JoeCollege.com and its controversial T-shirts.
Ghost world
As winter approaches, downtown Lawrence’s sizeable homeless population must deal with crowded ...
Abnormal arms, but ample ability
How one student aims to transform disability's definition.
[thedatebook?]
What gives you the willies?
Are your phobias controlling your life?
Regan: Hostels, cemeteries and 50-year-old men
While traveling abroad, Regan turns her Irish hostel experiences into advice.
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Simmermon: It’s a bad day when you ...
Lots of people who live here feel invincible, like they can walk ...
Students fall victim to identity fraud
Several students have reported identity fraud cases to Lawrence police in recent ...
Marsaglia: Enhance your college experience: give a ...
Remember,for each unabashed frat pack there’s a handful of decent human beings.
McNaughton: Use inmates as resources to curb ...
Some people can overcome their backgrounds to become successful, well to-do citizens.
Student reports rape at Lorimar Town Home
An unidentified man reportedly raped a KU student in her Lorimar Town ...
Essential Life Skills: Sewing on a Button
In case of emergency, read quickly.
Ours for now
Raising a puppy for service
In My World
I feel torn. I have to choose between the Deaf-World and the ...
The unsettled life of Sarah Bregman
How one student's tumultuous past gave her a chance for a better ...
STI cases in Kansas reach more than ...
The majority of the infections have been reported in 20- to 24-year-olds.
A sobering struggle
College students with alcoholism fight to overcome their addiction in an alcohol-infused ...
KU program at the forefront of autism ...
The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training program continues to meet ...
Malicious Intimacy: Chloe and Luke
Violent Suppression: artist re-emerges after half a decade of abuse
Students learn self-defense tactics
TAKE program teaches protective skills for worst-case scenario attacks.
Oliveira: Hanging on to hope
We need to feel we play a role in society and have ...
Cosby: Fourth rescheduling of execution date shows ...
Troy Davis' case is clear representation of how flaws in the justice ...
Emergency phones provide a beacon of safety
Cost of the phones on campus are secondary to the sense of ...
From foster child to college grad
Former foster children face a difficult road in college.
Law student devotes time to prisoners' court ...
Swing low, fly high: Bipolar disorder affects ...
From trying to fly from atop Fraser Hall to swallowing a bottle ...
Capital punishment: Death to the death penalty
Hughes: Not as safe as you think
Lawrence feels safe... Unfortunately, just because we feel safe, doesn't mean we ...
The thin Web line
Becoming A Marine
Going to boot camp, dealing with angry drill instructors, and finding an ...
Professor receives award for book on blues ...
Musicology professor was awarded for her publication on the research of blues ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Chambers: Learning from living alone
I am happy that you realize that students need to take some responsibility for their own safety. However, I commend the college for the steps that they have taken. Students can help themselves by carrying personal safety products; pepper spray, personal alarms, etc. and utilizing portable door locks and alarms. There are so many items on the market that people don't know about. It is only fitting to educate yourselves about the choices that are available. Have an expert come speak to your residence hall, organization or a group of friends and learn how to use the products that are out there. This is my specialty and I am happy to help anyone who needs a resource. www.safetyandsecuritysource.com>-
- Posted by safetyandsecuritysourcecom on August 28, 2007 at 2:27 p.m.
- permalink
- suggest removal
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID