“At the Beginning of this month, I was driving in one of the parking lots, and I was slowly going through, trying to find a parking spot, and then a person whipped around the corner because you can’t really see around the corners,” said Kathy Williams, a sophomore marketing major. “They almost collided right with my car.”
This is one story of a near-mishap that may sound familiar. Navigating the campus parking lots can be a struggle, according to Williams.
“It wasn’t really as much of a concern last year for me because I was a freshman and didn’t really know what I was doing,” said Williams. “Then, this year I realized how unsafe the parking lots can get as a pedestrian and also as a driver.”
Gary M. Segrue, St. Bonaventure University’s security director, said that incidents are not that prevalent on campus based on the number of calls the Office of Safety and Security receives.
Segrue said he and his office are responsible for pavement striping, the clearing of debris, the repair of asphalt damage, proper signage and lighting. Safety and Security also ensures the removal of snow and ice by maintenance and conducts patrols.
“Incidents that have occurred are vandalism, property damage, auto accidents and requests for battery jump starts,” said Segrue. “I have not seen many cases of personal injury in the parking lots, if at all.”
Williams said there are recent examples of parking lot danger.
“I was just talking to a friend today, and she got bumped, to say the least, by a car that was backing out of its parking spot,” said Williams. “There have also been times when me and my friends are walking and since you can’t see going around certain corners, people will be whipping their cars around, and then you almost get hit. It’s kind of scary.”
Parking located south of the Reilly Center seems to have the most vehicular accidents, according to Segrue.
Williams said she thought parking lots around Loughlen Hall were the worst on campus, as nobody really follows any designated speeds there.
Williams said better signage may help the issues that she has had to encounter.
“There’s no general direction in which you should be driving so anyone can go any which way,” said Williams. “It can be stressful.”
Jordan McDonald, a junior biology major, said parking lot safety is okay for now, but he thinks that better surveillance and more effective and easier ways to get help if people feel threatened would create a safer atmosphere.
“As far as I have seen, there isn’t a lot of surveillance equipment and the kind of ways to see what’s happening in a parking lot,” said McDonald. “Nor are there a lot of ways for people to actually contact somebody if they feel unsafe.”
Segrue said we can expect some of that to change.
“Security cameras are being installed in the new lots at Francis and Doyle Halls in addition to exterior cameras at Phase 2 and 3 Townhouses monitoring parking areas,” said Segrue.
Williams said she does enjoy that the university is putting in more parking lots.
“That’s a plus on their part,” said Williams.
Segrue said his office works alongside the Facilities Department for matters of proper lighting, signage, drainage, pavement markings and security cameras when it comes to the construction of new parking lots.
Segrue said some tips for staying safe in the university parking lots include selecting well-lit parking spots, locking vehicle doors and keeping valuables out of plain sight.
“Safety of drivers and pedestrians are not guaranteed just by driving slow,” said Segrue. “Be cognizant of your surroundings.”
By Landon Allison, Associate Editor
allisolj17@bonaventure.edu
