Man walking through a dark alley as the sun shines down on him
Man walking through a dark alley as the sun shines down on him

Concerns about safety rise for students navigating campus after dark. Through programs like Campus Walk and emergency phones, Humber emphasizes preparedness and support, aiming to be Canada’s safest college

 

As the seasons change and the sun starts to set earlier, more people will be leaving campus in the dark. This can be a concern for students who fear for their safety, but the Humber Polytechnic security team works hard to keep the campus a safe place for all students. There is a physical security presence on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Rob Kilfoyle, head of security at the school said that the security team is able to reach any point on campus in under four minutes. This is their goal response time for emergency situations.

 

Despite all the security measures on campus, some students still don’t feel safe.

 

University of Guelph-Humber business student, Caleigh Millions, said she finds walking to and from residence and her classes to be scary. “The walk to the parking garage is definitely really intimidating,” Millions said, “especially in winter because it’s so dark.”

 

She also expressed concern about the soon-to-open Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project and how it may bring more strangers to the area around the school’s campus. With an already high crime rate in the area, Millions is scared that the number will increase with higher accessibility.

 

Although there is not a student-led group advocating for student safety, the Humber security team recognizes these concerns and has programs set in place to prioritize student safety on campus. Kilfoyle said the departmental vision statement is to be the safest college in Canada.

 

Tamara, university alumna, said that regardless of the environment, femme-presenting individuals can often feel uncomfortable walking alone in public. “As a student, I did feel vulnerable walking on campus at night,” she said, “not due to a lack of safety measures, but simply because I am a woman.” Tamara thinks Humber does an excellent job at prioritizing safety, especially with the resources provided for people on campus.

 

Kilfoyle said that the security presence on campus stays the same at all hours of the day, and there are thousands of cameras on campus being monitored in an effort to keep the campus safe. It isn’t just student safety that Kilfoyle is concerned about, it’s also the safety of the guards. “That’s why as a part of their uniform they have the vests, they are more stab resistant, but they’re also protective,” he said. Security guards at Humber must have at least one year of experience in the field in order to be hired. They have to go through 40 hours of preliminary training to obtain their license and at least 16 hours of on-the-job training. “It’s a pretty extensive training,” Kilfoyle said.

 

Humber provides resources for people on campus to stay safe and avoid problematic situations. Many of these resources are provided directly through the Humber Guardian app, a free app designed for students to have access to all of Humber security’s resources in one place. The app also sends out emergency alerts to keep students updated on issues on and around campus.

 

One example of a resource provided through the app is the Campus Walk program. Students can make a campus walk request and a volunteer or security guard will accompany them to their car, bus stop, residence or another place on campus. The program’s goal is to promote a safe environment and help students feel safer on campus. It is available at all times and can be requested on the app, at room NX101 in Humber or by phone at (416) 675-8500.

 

Another feature in the app is the Friend Walk. This feature allows you to share your real-time location and travel plan with a friend so they can monitor your walk. They can also call emergency services through the app if necessary.

 

The Social Escape feature on the app allows students to request a phone call from Humber security. This gives the student an excuse to leave an uncomfortable, awkward or potentially dangerous social situation.

 

Emergency phones are another resource provided by the school. The campus has emergency phones scattered inside and outside of buildings. The phones are monitored by security at all times and provide students with a direct connection to speak with a guard. All students need to do is push the button and they will be connected to a security guard. The guard will then head to the location of the phone if necessary. The phones can be identified by their distinct tall yellow poles outside and by yellow boxes and emergency phone signs inside.

 

Last year, Humber News and Humber Polytechnic put together a list of ways that people can stay safe on campus. Some of these tips include travelling only in well-lit areas and walking with confidence. This means knowing the exact route you are taking and standing tall while walking. They also say to make a scene to get attention if you feel threatened, carry your keys in your hand, keep others updated on where you are going and report any suspicious activity you see.

 

Humber has many processes in place to help keep students and staff on campus safe. The most important tips that they gave to keep you safe are to trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings.