Luckily, we students have the Police Cadets to keep us safe and sound. A small, elite group of students have been chosen to help 20-somethings cross the street by day and patrol Ike’s after dark. Don’t get me wrong — there are times when we need these people. Campus is unbearable at certain hours of the day and it’s helpful to have someone directing traffic. Those neon sticks help cars know when to start and stop in the dark…but we have all seen you twiddling your thumbs on the side of the road.
Just yesterday I was trying to cross the street with several other students. There were too many cars and too many students fighting to reach their destination…meanwhile a cadet was daydreaming on the sidewalk. I’m very curious about this whole cadet thing. How exactly do you become a cadet? There must be qualifications. Not just anyone can be
trusted with campus security. Do you need to be in a certain major, or does Tyra Banks judge you on how well you walk while quickly flailing that colored wand? It’s just like bringing runway to the streets — that is Cadet territory, after all. I’m dying to know if they’re getting paid or if they’re volunteers. How much is Mason willing to pay for their students’ total and complete safety? Sometimes I wonder if the mini-officers notice the stares from each and every student coming their way, dying to burn a whole in that reflective jacket. I’ve never met a cadet before, but I did momentarily live next to one. He was quiet, courteous and proud to be a cadet — just what you would expect. Frankly, I think they’re clueless to the outside world. They’re too focused on cars and pedestrians to notice what exists from the ankles up. Lastly, do the police cadets have any authority? What would happen if I crossed the street before they blew the whistle? Don’t you dare…
I learned to “look both ways” before I crossed the street in elementary school, but maybe I haven’t had enough practice. Please, if there’s more to the story, let the student body know. Because as of now, I’ll let you in on a secret — you’re just a glorified crossing guard. Enjoy your light saber.