EDIT: Getting home safely

Despite the reported increase in the number of students who use Boston University’s Escort Security Service, the service still has its limitations.

The service is restricted to on-campus locations despite that a number of BU students live in off-campus housing.

Students who live off campus would benefit from an extension of the service. The T only runs so late, and cab rides are expensive, which forces some students to walk back to their off-campus residences alone at night.

While it might be too much to ask security to walk students to sites way off campus, there are other options that should be considered, such as a shuttle service. In fact, perhaps the entire service should be replaced with a shuttle service. This would be an entity outside of the BU Shuttle that students can call when they feel unsafe returning to their residences at night.

A shuttle service would not only improve the service, but it could also remove some of the stigma surrounding the service. No matter how many times BU parents tell their sons or daughters to use the service, a number of students will likely think that being walked home by a security escort would make them look incapable. Despite what some might think, people should not be afraid to ask for help.

However, a shuttle might help remove some of that stigma. Students would probably feel less self-conscious about crossing campus in a shuttle than they would walking with security.

The escort security service is an important service to have. The recent robberies remind us to be cautious of our surroundings, especially at night. However, the service’s execution could be improved.