Diana Anaya/Contributing Writer
From Virginia Tech to Sandy Hook, to the more recent shooting at Taft Union High School in California late last week, it’s hard to feel safe at school anymore. School shootings have turned into a trend that shows little signs of stopping, spurred along by the excessive amount of media coverage on these tragic events.
So how can we improve security at FIU in order to decrease the chances of a shooting? The short answer is, we can’t. Unless we upgraded to airport-like security, which would be nearly impossible for too many reasons to explain. But our campus security is as good as it can get, which is pretty good.
The University Police Department page has detailed information on the various types of emergencies that could occur, including active shooter incidents. Information, such as ‘what is an active shooter’ and ‘how to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity,’ is presented with minute instructions. Other emergencies, such as fire, bomb threats, and missing persons are all covered as well, and many of the services they offer are free of charge to students and faculty.
As students, we need to know this information in case any of these emergencies were to occur. Being knowledgeable on what should be done in these circumstances is the least we can do, and the most important thing, especially if you live on campus.
But beyond being educated, we need to be brave. Not brave in the sense of risking your life for others, an admirable act; that’s something that cannot be asked of everyone. We need to have the courage to tell someone when we see something or someone suspicious. It may be wrong, and hopefully it is, but it’s being aware of your surroundings and making your concern known to people like the University police that can save lives.
The other solution is to be politically active. Whatever you believe will change the current state of security, both in our school as well as in our state or even country. Make your opinion known. Write letters to congressmen, talk to the University police about campus security, or just get informed on how to better prepare yourself. Because the truth of the matter is that being a student, as it’s been made painfully clear, does not mean you’re safe.
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