Escorting not only responsibilty

Cal State Long Beach Community Service Officers are known for their role as night escorts, but according to Sergeant Bonnie Meyers of the University Police, they perform other duties to help keep the campus safe for students.

When they are not escorting students, CSOÕs act as a neighborhood watch group checking emergency phones, lighting, and locking building as they patrol campus. Several officers patrol parking lots on bicycles to deter car burglaries.

"CSOÕs put so many miles on their feet every night," said Meyers, who runs the service. "They are very respected within the university for the service they provide."

Last year over 39,000 students were escorted by the service. This year twenty-one student officers work as escorts accompanying students to campus parking lots and dorm rooms. According to Meyers the service mainly accommodates students that use the University Library until midnight. Meyers said students need to leave the library before midnight if they wish to use the service.

"The library closes at midnight, and the escort service stops at midnight. Students need to call for an escort before midnight to avoid a long wait," said Meyers.

The Library announces a last-call for escort service at 11:30 and 11:40 p.m. Meyers reminds students to take heed to the warning.

CSOÕs work seven days a week. Escorts are available Mondays through Thursdays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays from dusk until 9:30 p.m., and on Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The officers are recognizable by their uniforms. They wear gold shirts clearly identified with a Community Service Officer label. Supervisors wear black shirts. Students may request an escort by using any emergency phone or they may call (562) 985-4101.

Police escorts are available after service hours.