Sounding sirens about campus safety

Everyone’s focus today is on the war and rightfully so but we must not allow the atrocities in the Middle East to completely divert our attention from situations on our campus, especially in light of the upcoming Student Union elections.

This past Saturday at around 9:30 p.m., we were walking from South Campus to Kenmore Square via the Beacon Street bridge. As we approached the end of the bridge and the area many students jokingly refer to as ‘the rape stairs,’ we heard blood-curdling screams coming from below. Approximately five men were viciously kicking, punching and strangling a woman on the side of the stairs. We ran to the campus phone right above them and pressed the red button the one that is supposed to offer assistance within 30 to 60 seconds. While trying to explain the circumstances to the Boston University Police Department dispatcher, we also witnessed, in shock and dismay, three separate individuals use the stairs, glance at the assault and continue walking.

Our attempt to clearly communicate with the dispatcher was foiled by the poor, static-filled reception of the ‘safety’ phone and our inability to provide her with a specific address. Eventually, she said ‘someone will be right there,’ but after about two minutes of nervously waiting, we used a cell phone to call 911. At one point during the wait, the woman attempted to escape by scaling the fence onto the bridge, but her assailants pulled her back down, and the beating ensued. Fortunately, within moments of the second call, the Boston city police pulled up along with an ambulance.

First, what prevented the BUPD from keeping the 30 to 60 second promise they make to all prospective students? Second, why was the reception of the safety phone so poor? Third, from what part of the world do people come where minding one’s business takes precedence over saving another’s life?

Students, be aware that the safety of our campus rests solely on the presence of inadequate blue phones, evident in Silber’s rationalization of a rape crisis center’s absence. Silber cannot dismiss students’ concerns about campus safety that easily. He, and all other BU students and administrators, must realize that visibility by no means ensures accessibility. When exiting onto dimly lit Cummington Street from the computer lab, one can see the blue light in the corner of the College of Engineering’s entrance, but whether he is able to reach it in time is questionable. On Saturday night, we could not rely on the BUPD, passing BU students or the blue phone for immediate assistance. Please, do not be disillusioned about the reality of our campus’ safety.