Spartan Daily

UPD to expand it's escort program

Sierra Duren, Spartan Daily

Cadet Scott Buckovic, fourth year, sits in the passengers seat while training the driver Cadet Manuel Chaidez, junior, for the SJSU campus police department shuttle. This service runs Monday through Friday 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.. Photo by Sierra Duren, staff photographer

The University Police Department expanded its Evening Guide Escort Program to include a new shuttle program that offers a safe alternative to walking alone at night.

According to Sgt. John Laws, the UPD decided to expand the walking escort program because students asked for it and expressed concern.

Natasha Bradley, a senior sociology major, said she started the group Students for Campus Safety with other students in response to a string of three unrelated sexual assaults within a week this past September.

The group came up with solutions to increase campus safety and thought the best way to meet their goals was to talk to UPD Chief Peter Decena, and Bradley said Chief Decena helped the escort expansion come to fruition.

“I started feeling unsafe,” Bradley said about the September attacks. “I was walking to the bus on 11^th and Santa Clara — I knew the escort service didn’t go that far, and I was freaking out the entire time I was walking there.”

She said she then asked, “Why don’t they expand the radius for 3 or 4 blocks?”

The SJSU Evening Shuttle program provides rides for students, faculty and staff within the specified and newly expanded perimeters of East Julian Street, First Street, Interstate 280 and 16th Street.

Raafay Khan, an electrical engineering graduate student, used the shuttle program for the first time Friday night and rode along Julian Street to 10^th Street.

“I think the program is a good idea, especially for students concerned about their safety,” Khan said.

Scott Buckovic and Manuel Chaidez, both cadets and student escorts, said they hope more students will take advantage of the shuttle and walking escort programs.

They said they usually wait outside the library because many students who utilize the service call for rides after studying.

“I study at the library until late at night and will definitely take advantage of the shuttle program,” said Schehrbano Khan, a junior molecular biology major. “I live further than the walking escort service perimeters, and I’d feel safer taking the shuttle rather than walking alone.”

According to the UPD's website, escort operation hours are Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., excluding holidays.

The website also states that advanced reservations and flag-downs are not permitted — passengers must call UPD for a ride.

Only two direct rides are allowed each evening per individual or group of three or fewer, and unlike the Evening Guide Escort Program, all passengers who wish to use the service must show a valid Tower Card or on-campus employment identification.

The UPD will not pick up passengers who appear intoxicated and will not drop off at liquor establishments, nightclubs, bars or taverns as also stated on the UPD website.

Sgt. Laws explained that the vans and drivers are not equipped to handle drunk persons for reasons related to the driver’s and passenger’s safety and clean up.

Student-escort Buckovic said while they will not shuttle intoxicated passengers, they would make sure individuals are safe by waiting with the caller until a cab or friend comes to pick someone up.

Buckovic said safety is the top priority.

“I hope that students and faculty begin to utilize this great program we have to offer,” he said.

Bradley, organizer of Students for Campus Safety, said she’s happy that the shuttle service was realized and hopes students will take advantage of the programs.

To request an escort or shuttle, call UPD at 408-924-2000.