Every time there’s a student safety alert from DPS, it alarms me and usually upsets me. Until recently, I had never placed any of the blame on DPS because I figured, “There’s only so much they can do, right? I know they’re doing their best.” I was completely wrong. Their intentions are elsewhere, which is quite alarming considering that female students being kidnapped, sexually assaulted and held at gunpoint should be their number-one concern (considering they’re SAFETY officers). I was at a friend’s apartment the night of Oct. 18, and it was around 3 a.m. We were being loud, so a noise complaint was filed. Typically, you get at least a warning before the RA’s come to write people up, but that’s beside the point. There was a knock on the door, and there was an RA and four DPS officers. They all entered the apartment and the RA began taking people’s information down. My friend (one of the tenants) was a little upset that we weren’t given a warning first, and as soon as he voiced his concern, one of the DPS officers got in his face and said something to the effect of “Hey buddy, I suggest you keep your mouth shut or I’ll lock your friend here up for the night!” It was ridiculous, but also a bit humorous.

Now, here’s where my real concern is. With students being kidnapped, sexually assaulted and robbed at gunpoint (usually around the same time this noise complaint was filed), and with DPS apparently “stepping up its efforts to increase patrols around campus to increase our security and safety,” why were four DPS officers needed for a noise complaint? Thank God there weren’t any safety notices that night about something happening to a student on, near, or off campus, but what if something had happened? Obviously it’s just my opinion, but shouldn’t our safety be a bit higher on the priority list than enforcing noise complaints? I feel bad for the next person to get assaulted, robbed or even kidnapped around campus because while you might be expecting increased DPS patrols to prevent said concerns, DPS will be enforcing a noise complaint in an apartment with 5 students not causing any harm, when they could be keeping the thugs in the local area from attacking the student body. Seems like there should be some serious investigation into what DPS SAYS they’re doing, and what they’re ACTUALLY doing. I thought the DPS officers were a joke before, but now I know they’re a joke.

Kevin Stuhlmann
Senior