monday, february 20, 1979
daily nebraskan
paga7
Student security provides more coverage for less .
By Val Swlnton
The UNL Building Patrol Student Security Program,
which will be a year old next month, is getting rave
revlewi from both the administrators who supervise it and
some of the students Involved In it.
The program, originally the idea of UNL Director of
Police Gale Cade, replaced a squad of full-time security
officers, and has reportedly provided more coverage of
both city and east campus buildings at night, at less ex
pense to the university,
"It's a much better program than it was before," said
Gade. "There's been a vast improvement in discovery of
unlocked doors and windows."
, The old program consisted of a squad of full-time of.
fleers whose job it was to patrol the classroom and
administration buildings at night, making sure doors were
locked and there were no prowlers, either indoors" or on
the grounds around the buildings.
But, both Gade and supervisor of the student program,
Ron Lundy, say that because the officers were full-time
commissioned personnel, the university couldn't afford a
large squad of men. The problem of absenteeism and a
high turnover rate meant security in the buildings often
was inadequate.
More for less
Now, both men insist, the two campuses are receiving
consistent coverage at night, and the coverage is cheaper.
"We have a savings of approximately $10,500 a year.
Also included with that is savings of benefits not being
paid," Lundy said. "Because of this, we've been able to
increase the manpower assigned to this particular area and
keep it consistent through the year."
Currently, there are about IS students on the force,
with most of them making about $3.45 an hour. Students
who are accepted'go through an on-the-job training pro
gram, then are assigned to a particular district. Gade said
that under the security program, at least four students are
working every night, and six students some evenings.
That's much better, he said 'than the two or three Cull
time officers who patrolled the buildings under the old
program;
Confusion . . .
Continued from page 1
We will create a temporary vacuum with these penalt
ies, but you can bet it will be filled by Sept. 1 when the
Big Red football season starts," DeCamp said.
"Half or more of the average business community is
going to bet on football games, whether the corner grocer
or someone else is there to take the bet.
"And, by golly, when Big Red gets out there, those
people are going to bet on it," he said.
DeCamp told the committee bookmakers would not
show up to support the bill because they would incrimin
ate themselves.
But Leo Lane of Omaha, who stated proudly that he is
a bookie, took the chance.
Calling gambling as American as apple pie, and book
making "joints" respectable places where decent people
go, Lane charged that the new criminal code creates a
witch-hunt.
"40 million Americans bet, and the only ones that
don't are immigrants, refugees or illegal aliens, and the
others who don't bet are bluenoses, winos and creatures
from outer space," Lane said.
Lane called present law an outrage to human decency,
and said he wished all congressmen were like the bookies
he has met.
Gade admits that it's hard to prove the crime rate on
campus .has decreased as a result of the new program, but
he said the students are discovering many more doors and
windows unlocked and unauthorized personnel in the
buildings. That Indicates to him, he said, the success of
the program.
Short waiting list
Another reason for the success of the program, said
Lundy, is the enthusiasm and degree of responsibility
the student officers have been willing to assume .
"We've had no problems at all," he said. "They work
well with commissioned officers. There are no problems
with absentees, they're always there. Our districts with of
ficers has increased security within buildings immensely."
There have been relatively few problems in attracting
students to the security program. Gade said there is cur
rently a "short waiting list," wanting to get on the force.
Lundy said the program attracts a number of criminal
justice students who apply for the experience, but Mark
Young, a student supervisor and security officer, said that
actually there are very few criminal justice students in the
program.
"Most of them are there primarily for the money," he
said.
Young, a senior history major, who has been with the
program since it was begun last year, adds that it's a good
part-time job.
Danger played down
"1 do enjoy it," he said. "As far as a job goes, it's nice
in the fact that you get to go outside and move around a
lot. There's no foreman over us to tell us what to do all
of the time."
He said once most newcomers get used to the job, they
enjoy it.
"It's hard to be enthusiastic about any job. Most of the
people, when they first start, don't like it very much," he
said. "But after a while, they begin to enjoy it. As far as
student jobs go it's a pretty good job ."
Besides the enthusiasm and low rate of absenteeism,
another advantage in the student security officer program
is the low turnover rate. Lundy said they can remain on
the, force as long as they are in school, providing they pass
a one-semester probationary period.
As with any security job, there is an element of danger
involved, but Gade played down its significance on the
student security force.
"They are our eyes and ears," he said. "They are
equipped with radios and we don't want them to get in
volved in a serious situation. If a girl was being assaulted
or something, they would have to use their' own
judgement. But we're not that far away." ,
Besides a radio, the students are also equipped with a
flashlight and uniform, but no gun, he said.
aAU we have to fear. .
If the job. becomes frightening, it's often of the offi
cer's.own doing.
"You can scare yourself," Young said. "I've done that
on many occasions. But after you've done It for a month
or so, you get just as used to working in the dark or semi
dark as in daylight."
Young said if the officers feel the students are easy
to work with, the feeling is mutual.
"In general they (commissioned officers) are easy to
work with. They are willing to let us do our job. They
don't ride us very much."
If there is one area that needs improvement in the pro
gram, both Lundy and Gade agree it's training. Both say
they would like to see the officers better trained before
being assigned to a district.
Lundy said he also feels the program in general has re
ceived the support of the rest of the University as well.
"We've received very few comments from the outside
about anything being done wrong."
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