Student safety should be a priority

Lighting at Cal State Long Beach is sparse and the escort service is too slow to wait for. If an escort is available, he will ride his bike alongside you as you walk through the dark.

The limited number of vehicles and escorts increases the wait time for a shuttle, resulting in a ride that can take longer than walking to the car.

Students have expressed fear and concern about the dangers of getting from University Library or from any other campus building to their cars on foot. University Police coordinator Bonnie Myers advises students to "do what you can to avoid being a target," and "to keep your eyes on your surroundings."

That's hard to do when trees create dark hiding places between the widely spaced light poles.

More money is needed to install more lights, cut the trees back, clean the light fixtures, purchase additional vehicles and pay the salaries of the escorts and shuttle drivers that would be needed.

If Associated Students Inc. can put together the Beach Pride Referendum which will generate $1.2 million a semester for CSULB athletic programs through increased student fees, and get it passed, the administration can find a way to generate money to improve safety conditions on this campus.

Some of that money should be used to increase the safety of students who must be on campus late at night.

Check the University Police crime log and you'll find car burglaries happening in the Parking Structure and parking lots campuswide as well as a recently reported rape.

The escort service works well, but it is limited because of a lack of money and personnel.

The safety of all students should take priority over better athletic equipment and more sports events.

An increase in events means more students to protect on a dark, scary campus late at night.

The priority should be student safety, not sports.

Being careful is a must, but removing unsafe conditions is preventive.