1 - What would have made you feel safer during your time on campus?
I must say I take issue with the idea of "feeling safer." That is a phrase that Larry Hincker used when a certain bill was killed in the General Assembly several years ago. Helping students "feel safe" is the opposite of what should be done. By "feeling safe" people assume that they inherently "are safe." They become complacent and walk around like nothing could ever hurt them - or expecting someone else to take care of them as if they were still a child.
I have nothing but praise for the VT Police Department. But their great performance aside, an officer cannot be everywhere at once. In a situation of dire distress, the nearest officer will be 60 seconds away in the best case. Citizens are responsible for their own safety. Students are citizens and adults, therefore they are also responsible for their own safety. Prohibiting students with concealed handgun permits from legally carrying on campus does nothing but remove one of the most effect tools for self defense from their playbook. I advocated for this change both on campus and to my legislators long before the April 16 tragedy.
I personally would have felt much safer (and I believe been much safer) if I had been allowed to carry my concealed firearm without risking expulsion. I legally and safely carried my firearm every day off campus with my concealed handgun permit as allowed by Virginia law.
2 - What would have made your feel safer off-campus?
I felt fairly safe off campus. But I also chose to be proactive in my security by not walking around Blacksburg stone cold drunk at all hours of the night. The very few times I was drinking, I stayed where I was until sober or had a designated driver. I also carried a concealed firearm for my protection (when not drinking of course). I never needed to use it. And with the exception of the Morva incident, I never truly felt like I needed to have it either. Though I also never got into a car accident. I didn't usually feel like I needed my seatbelt. But regardless of what the law could have said, I always wore my seatbelt.
3 - What is a way to communicate with students that students would use?
Text messaging on their cell phones is the fastest way to reach students. While many people have their cellphones silenced during class, there will be enough with their phones on vibrate or not turned off to get a message out during an emergency.
4 - If you could create anything, what would you create to make students safer, or feel that way.
For students to actually be safe I think they should be encouraged to take control of their security. That should include classes or training on situational awareness, personal self defense, and avoiding situations where there is increased risk of being a victim. I know the VTPD currently has a class such as this for women. This class should be promoted on a much broader scale at the University. Both men and women can benefit from this type of training.
I think Benjamin Franklin set the standard for making people safer. "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety." We live in a free country, and with that freedom comes some inherent risk. If you don't want the risk, then you can't have the freedom either. And to quote a great Virginian "Give me liberty, or give me death."
Sincerely,
VT357
Class of 06
