I’d like to start off by congratulating the Constitution Court for getting it right regarding Rudin v. Bowman. My only question is: why on Earth would a man having already demonstrated his biased views for OSPIRG and their causes be then allowed to vote again on the same budget that was passed weeks ago?
For those against such blatant misuse of the incidental fee, Wednesday should make for an opportune time to state your case at the Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee hearing on the matter in the EMU Skylight Lounge at 6 p.m., if you’re so inclined.
Moving on.
Safety is a hot topic right now on campus. After all, everybody not only wants to feel safe but be safe. As our own paper has reported, this is becoming increasingly difficult for city and county law enforcement to do as budgets are slashed. Our own Branden Andersen’s reporting on West University Neighborhood crime rates illustrate that for the population at large, West University represents a disproportional amount of the crime that occurs in Eugene.
It is why some are asking for an armed campus police presence and why some are asking for lighting in well-traveled areas.@@really? I thought that connection came from other stories@@
Regardless of your position on either of those subjects, personal safety and the safety of your stuff is usually pretty high on the list of “things you want to have.”
That being said, the actions and general lack of preparedness for ensuring one’s safety are readily visible for the majority of students here in Eugene.@@not everyone has that common sense@@
For most, this doesn’t leave them much worse for wear (thankfully), but for others, the price paid is too high and makes the growing tuition increases seem paltry.
The University’s Department of Public Safety does patrol the campus and surrounding areas and has a (mostly) useful tips page for ways to protect yourself and your belongings.@@good thing for them to email out at beginning of terms@@ However, no law enforcement agency can guarantee your protection; it’s just not physically possible.
The responsibility then falls on the individual.@@not entirely@@
So, here are some tips for tools and tactics that I feel are far too overlooked by people but can be of great value should the need to use them ever arise.
It is winter in Eugene; in the winter, it gets dark early. By 6 p.m. on most nights, the sun has completely set. Some areas of campus are not as well-lit as others. I understand that the fastest path from point A to point B is a straight line, and that line may take you across a dark area.@@wondering if people think this when they come to the cemetery@@
Whether you decide to go that route is up to you, but if you do take it, you should invest in a good flashlight. Even if you take the long way around, having something as simple as a sturdy, reliable light is invaluable.
Your cell phone makes for a mediocre substitute and will always pale in comparison to a bright, LED bulb. They are also fairly inexpensive and come in packages as small as a pen or stylus.
Another piece of equipment that is small and highly useful is some sort of pocket/utility knife or multitool.
The applications for a knife are plentiful, ranging from everyday utility and office work to needing to cut free a piece of caught material or use as an impromptu flat-head screwdriver.
A good, strong key chain is also ideal. It holds all your keys tightly and can be readily and easily accessed when you need them. Some are even easily adapted to become a primitive weapon should a worst-case scenario arise.
Finally, there are numerous self-defense tools out there ranging from pepper spray, blunt objects, stun guns, tasers and actual firearms.
The decision to carry any of these tools (or not) is a highly personal one. But if you do decide to, be well aware of its functions and be intimately familiar with its operation and capabilities and know and follow local, state and federal laws (as they may vary).
Naturally, the above are only useable tools. Knowing how to react to a situation is also a crucial factor in taking a role in securing yourself.
Thankfully, the University has a handful of self-defense classes to take. I took my one in the fall and must say, not only was it enjoyable and full of good information, but I also got credit as well.
Next week, I’ll delve further into the behavior aspect and the areas in which students can take measures to better improve their personal safety.
If you worry or are concerned with safety, start acting like it and take action. No one else is going to do it for you.@@is that a good thing that no one else will?@@
