Earlier this year, the Department of Public Safety developed and implemented the “HofstraSafe” app, which was made for the campus body to interact with Public Safety in a faster and easier way. The new app features a shuttle tracker and emergency numbers, and allows students to quickly call for help during an emergency situation.
“We’re not just some group that does enforcement, and that’s really important,” said Geraldine Hart, associate vice president of Public Safety and Community Engagement.
The Public Safety department has been actively putting on several events throughout the semester and has made attempts to be more present around campus. For example, Public Safety played commuter students in a volleyball match on September 29, and they attended and gave away free slices of pizza during an earlier soccer game. The goal is to form a stronger bond between Public Safety and the campus body.
The app is another way for Public Safety to meet that goal.
“We know that (students) are technology focused and they like to get their answers and access quickly,” said Jovanni Ortiz, manager of Community Engagement and Transportation at Public Safety. “It’s very user-friendly; it’s simple to use, and the students are really loving it, as well as the faculty and staff.”
Ortiz’s claim is backed up by Alafair S. Burke, professor of law.
“Calling 911 is still the best option for an emergency, but in situations where students might feel more comfortable contacting campus Public Safety, an app is going to make that process fast and readily available for them,” Burke said.
Several students expressed optimism about the department and this latest innovation, while another was not pleased with the new app and voiced his displeasure with the department, explaining his own encounter with Public Safety officers.
Two students interviewed said they see it as a way to contact officers as soon as possible without issue.
“I think that (HofstraSafe) is great because I don’t think many people have the Public Safety numbers downloaded in their phones as contacts,” said Matthew Evans, an undergraduate senior public relations major.
Ashley Schwartz, a sophomore and early childhood and childhood education major agreed.
“They drive us home when we call them for the shuttle,” said Schwartz. “They make sure people who don’t go to Hofstra aren’t here. They make sure we are safe.”
However, not everyone interviewed for this story felt the same way. Even the new app was not enough to convince one student to change their opinion of Public Safety.
“I feel like the creation of the (HofstraSafe) app is redundant and a waste of resources on the campus’ side,” said Frederick Quezada (the roommate of this reporter), a sophomore and psychology major. “Our tuition is going into that, and it’s not really a valid way of spending our money.”
What students see first-hand on campus can alter the way they see certain departments.
“There have been instances where I would be coming back to campus around one or two in the morning, and Public Safety is sleeping in the booths where they’re supposed to check people in,” said Quezada.
Associate Vice President Hart responded to the student’s claim of negligence.
“We have supervisors that go out on all the posts and make sure the officers are engaging in what they’re supposed to be doing,” said Hart. “(Students) may see things they think are one thing and may, in fact, be another. We have an office that is openly accessible to the students and we want to hear their concerns. I would encourage anybody who has what they interpret to be a bad experience to come see us immediately.”
Students’ views on Public Safety vary based on whether or not they’ve had a personal encounter with them. The way they communicate with other campus resources may also lead students to perceive it as an imperfect network.
“In my personal experience with a resident assistant and Public Safety, the RA didn’t take the preventative measures to deal with the situation properly,” said Quezada. “There was an altercation among some friends … I left myself out of the situation. I got a single text from my RA, and ten minutes later I got a knock on my door from two Public Safety officers. Not only was this RA scared, but he also kept telling the Public Safety officers to not stand behind him. He displayed discomfort around them, and also made me feel uncomfortable.”
The department had this to say on the matter.
“We have an excellent relationship with Residence Life and we train together,” said Hart. “Our safety officers have to do their eight hours of training in January, and they are going to join us for some of that.”
Hart spoke positively about the department’s relationship with Residence Life.
“We’ve met numerous times this semester with the residence directors,” said Hart. “We’ve had sit-downs with all the RDs, myself, and all the supervisors over pizza. We had dinner together. We’re doing a lot in that area, and I think it’s really important. I think it’s going to make us a lot more efficient.”