2008 Woodie Awards
Patrol Cars Curb Enthusiasm
Steven Piper
Issue date: 6/24/08 Section: News
Having spent my first full year at LBCC, I am convinced that it would be a great idea to go around the pedestrian pathways with yellow paint and divide them into two separate lanes. After all, the walkways around the LAC have become increasingly dominated by vehicles instead of pedestrians. It only seems right and proper, with so much on-campus traffic, to have the appropriate signs for automobiles.
It is easily observed that the Campus Police are the most common cross-campus commuters. On more than one occasion, I have found myself, among others, having to scoot onto a curb or the lawn (more specifically the lawn covered with rabbit feces) to let a patrol car pass at 2 miles per hour.
Without a doubt, Campus Police should be conscious about their speed and the safety of those actually walking on the pedestrian walkways. Furthermore, the intention of Campus Police to create a safe learning environment at LBCC is not under question.
Driving patrol cars on sidewalks has obvious benefits. For example, police are able to quickly traverse between the two sides of the LAC divided by Carson street. Having Campus Police use the crosswalk or hike up and down the bridge does not seem likely for some reason. The patrol cars also enable Campus Police to swiftly travel between the PCC and LAC.
But, upon further investigation, the use of automobiles on campus poses more cost than benefit.
First, if entire industries, like the airlines, are feeling the effects of increasing fuel prices, then I am going to venture a guess that LBCC's Campus Police budget is affected as well.
Using patrol cars to either idle or traverse the campus at a walking pace does not appear to be a wise use of fuel considering recent hikes in gas prices.
Even more confusing than wasting the gas is the rate at which the patrol cars travel across campus. Out of curiosity, I decided to see if I could follow and keep up with one of the patrol cars during a tour around the LAC.
It is easily observed that the Campus Police are the most common cross-campus commuters. On more than one occasion, I have found myself, among others, having to scoot onto a curb or the lawn (more specifically the lawn covered with rabbit feces) to let a patrol car pass at 2 miles per hour.
Without a doubt, Campus Police should be conscious about their speed and the safety of those actually walking on the pedestrian walkways. Furthermore, the intention of Campus Police to create a safe learning environment at LBCC is not under question.
Driving patrol cars on sidewalks has obvious benefits. For example, police are able to quickly traverse between the two sides of the LAC divided by Carson street. Having Campus Police use the crosswalk or hike up and down the bridge does not seem likely for some reason. The patrol cars also enable Campus Police to swiftly travel between the PCC and LAC.
But, upon further investigation, the use of automobiles on campus poses more cost than benefit.
First, if entire industries, like the airlines, are feeling the effects of increasing fuel prices, then I am going to venture a guess that LBCC's Campus Police budget is affected as well.
Using patrol cars to either idle or traverse the campus at a walking pace does not appear to be a wise use of fuel considering recent hikes in gas prices.
Even more confusing than wasting the gas is the rate at which the patrol cars travel across campus. Out of curiosity, I decided to see if I could follow and keep up with one of the patrol cars during a tour around the LAC.
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