Members of the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) joined Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators yesterday evening for the annual Safety Walk. Its goal was to identify areas on campus where security could be improved.
Throughout the course of the walk, participants focused on the need for better lighting, crosswalks and technology.
Specifically, senators suggested that there should be more lighting in the area between Sophia Gordon Hall and Professors Row.
Poor lighting was also cited on Sawyer Avenue. "The whole street ... is very dark," sophomore Senator Xavier Malina said.
Participants also discussed the possibility of placing a crosswalk between Sophia Gordon Hall and the Aidekman Arts Center. An alternate suggestion was to place a "Yield to Pedestrians" sign there.
Not all of the ideas would be easy to implement. Senators discussed the possibility of installing closed-circuit cameras across campus to discourage illegal activity, and while officers did not oppose the principle, they pointed out that the project would require a large budget.
Participants enjoyed the event. "This is the first time I've done the walk," Director of Residential Life and Learning Yolanda King said. "I was very interested to hear the issues pointed out around the residential halls."
In past years, the walk has prompted a variety of projects, including the installation of extra stop signs and lights.
Larger projects may take longer to come to fruition, but senators are willing to wait.
"There's not the funding or infrastructure to do some things right away, but ... it's all about planting the seeds," TCU Vice President Bruni Hirsch said.
-by Jwala Gandhi
