As part of Georgetown’s increased security efforts in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a Department of Public Safety vehicle has been stationed at University entrances, Healy Gates and Reservoir Road, 24-hours a day. While the car adequately addresses campus traffic control, it has not been as successful at policing crimes occurring near campus: On Feb. 2 at 4:50 a.m., two Georgetown students were robbed on the 3600 block of O Street; only one block away from the University’s main gates. DPS needs to use its limited resources better and replace the car with a less-wasteful solution.
While a DPS presence at entrances to control traffic coming onto campus is both reasonable and effective, we do not believe that the presence of a vehicle is necessary. A vehicle provides increased mobility and the ability to pursue an assailant, but so far DPS foot patrols have been more successful at stopping crimes than the vehicle. Patrolling DPS officers are more aware of their surroundings and are able to bring the more secluded areas on and around campus within the reach of campus security. According to Lt. Brian Bray of the Metropolitan Police Department, DPS has prevented several recent attempts of bike theft while on patrol along Prospect Street and in front of the library. During one such incident, a DPS officer was able to make an arrest.
Additionally, the car, which is normally left idle to provide heat for the officer inside, wastes a tremendous amount of gas, an unnecessary cost. A reasonable and less expensive alternative to a vehicle is to set up a heated DPS booths, not unlike the one that previously existed on Tondorf Road, to serve the functional role of campus traffic control. An added benefit would be the freeing up of two DPS cars to be used when needed.
DPS plays an important role in on-campus security and it must properly allocate its resources in order to be most effective within the scope of its mission. A continually running vehicle at both the main gates and the Reservoir Road entrance does not efficiently serve the University community.
