Volunteers urge caution when crossing streets

In the week after two cars struck and injured two students on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston University volunteers wearing bright green T-shirts are encouraging safe street-crossing habits at busy intersections.

The pedestrian- and bike-safety events yesterday and Monday were part of the university’s first Safety Week, an effort among many departments to educate students about traveling on Commonwealth Avenue, fires, alcohol and sex.

“Even though it’s only one day, the next day people might think about it and make good decisions when they’re crossing the street,” said Escort Security Service Manager Anna Palladino.

“Every time we do this it looks like it’s a reaction to something that happened, but really it’s something that’s always in the works,” the CAS senior added. “We usually get a lot of support for it after things like that happen. It’s unfortunate that we do this after a tragedy, but as long as we get our point across, it’s worth it.”

Volunteers from the Escort Security Service, the Office of Residence Life and the BU Police Department were stationed at places prone to safety concerns, such as the BU Bridge.

While BU has held safety-awareness days in past semesters, this is the first year safety issues are being addressed throughout an entire week by various offices, including its sponsors – ORL, the Office of Judicial Affairs and Student Safety Programs.

“We’ve held a lot of these events before, but this is the first year that we’ve pooled all of them into one specific week,” said Health and Wellness Educator Beth Grampetro.

Grampetro said the pedestrian-safety days will help increase student awareness when crossing busy city streets in locations filled with traffic, construction and other distractions, whether external or self-created.

“It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, especially with all the construction on campus and the circumstances that are beyond our control,” she said. “It’s important to watch what you’re doing and not be on the phone or listening to your iPod while crossing the street.”

College of Fine Arts sophomore Luke Short said little can be done to prevent students from being hit by cars.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s always going to happen no matter what you do,” he said. “It’s part of the risk of living in a big city.”

College of Arts and Sciences junior Michael Annabel, who volunteered for the safety days, said students were responsive to volunteers’ efforts to offer tips regarding crossing the street safely.

“People do seem to be paying attention,” he said. “If you can just get in touch with one person, the impact will keep moving forward.”