Jeune magique et intellig
2008-12-02, 06:49 PM
A recent advisory on trail and pathway safety has students at the city's two universities thinking about security.
Andrea Bell, a fourth-year student at St. Thomas University, said it's too bad things got to the point where a safety notice had to be issued, but it was the right thing to do.
"I think the university has addressed it in a good manner," Bell said Monday. "They have talked about stepping up security and they have put out warnings for students not to travel alone and travel in crowds."
The matter was brought to the forefront last week when the STU Students' Union issued a warning about attacks on the city's walking path between the Forest Hill-Skyline Acres area and the university campus. It said the attacks have been occurring over the last two months.
As of late last week, the Fredericton Police Force said it had only been informed of one incident, which occurred Oct. 1.
St. Thomas student Katie Malone lives in the Forest Hill area. She said she has heard a lot of people talking about problems on the trail in question.
"A few friends of mine have had events where they were being stalked or almost attacked on the trail, but they had gotten out of there unharmed," she said. "They (the trails) are pretty safe in the morning; I just don't walk on them at night."
Malone said she thought the advisory was a good idea.
Jeffrey Carleton, director of communications for St. Thomas University, said the student police at the university is doing patrols on the weekend - from early in the evenings to the early hours of the morning.
"We've ordered a series of signs that should be posted this week reminding people of safety in numbers, to be aware of their surroundings and call if there is an issue," he said.
"We've sent out a number of security messages to students and also the student union has intensified their advertising with regard to SafeWheels and SafeWalks."
SafeWheels is a vehicle the union operates that will drive students from campus to where they want to go during the evening. SafeWalks involves an escort.
University of New Brunswick students are also being careful and using common sense.
Fiona Morrison said if she's leaving the university's library late at night, she tends to stick to well-lit streets.
"But I have done that for years anyway; it hasn't really changed," she said. "I tend to avoid them in the first place."
Desiree Smith said she also tends to avoid the trails at night.
"I stick to the well-lit streets."
Smith and Morrison said warnings make them pay more attention to what is going on around them.
Dan Tanaka, UNB's communications manager, said UNB's security office encourages everyone within the campus community to take personal security precautions, including walking in groups and in well-lit areas, when travelling after dark.
SafeWalk and SafeRide are also available to students, he said.
Andrea Bell, a fourth-year student at St. Thomas University, said it's too bad things got to the point where a safety notice had to be issued, but it was the right thing to do.
"I think the university has addressed it in a good manner," Bell said Monday. "They have talked about stepping up security and they have put out warnings for students not to travel alone and travel in crowds."
The matter was brought to the forefront last week when the STU Students' Union issued a warning about attacks on the city's walking path between the Forest Hill-Skyline Acres area and the university campus. It said the attacks have been occurring over the last two months.
As of late last week, the Fredericton Police Force said it had only been informed of one incident, which occurred Oct. 1.
St. Thomas student Katie Malone lives in the Forest Hill area. She said she has heard a lot of people talking about problems on the trail in question.
"A few friends of mine have had events where they were being stalked or almost attacked on the trail, but they had gotten out of there unharmed," she said. "They (the trails) are pretty safe in the morning; I just don't walk on them at night."
Malone said she thought the advisory was a good idea.
Jeffrey Carleton, director of communications for St. Thomas University, said the student police at the university is doing patrols on the weekend - from early in the evenings to the early hours of the morning.
"We've ordered a series of signs that should be posted this week reminding people of safety in numbers, to be aware of their surroundings and call if there is an issue," he said.
"We've sent out a number of security messages to students and also the student union has intensified their advertising with regard to SafeWheels and SafeWalks."
SafeWheels is a vehicle the union operates that will drive students from campus to where they want to go during the evening. SafeWalks involves an escort.
University of New Brunswick students are also being careful and using common sense.
Fiona Morrison said if she's leaving the university's library late at night, she tends to stick to well-lit streets.
"But I have done that for years anyway; it hasn't really changed," she said. "I tend to avoid them in the first place."
Desiree Smith said she also tends to avoid the trails at night.
"I stick to the well-lit streets."
Smith and Morrison said warnings make them pay more attention to what is going on around them.
Dan Tanaka, UNB's communications manager, said UNB's security office encourages everyone within the campus community to take personal security precautions, including walking in groups and in well-lit areas, when travelling after dark.
SafeWalk and SafeRide are also available to students, he said.