Students should be cautious when walking alone at night

Gabriella Pinos/Staff Writer

Worrying about your night-time commute is a serious concern. Whether you’re an introvert or the world’s best boxer, walking alone at night is dangerous for everyone and should be addressed by every university.

I usually feel comfortable being alone. Like many introverts, solitude helps me reflect and run through the volumes of thoughts my brain has compiled throughout the day. And there’s something about walking and the night sky that makes that process even more soothing.

But when it comes to choosing between isolation and safety, I’d take my chances with the crowds. I’m reminded by my loved ones and my own conscience that anything could happen to me.

While I sometimes think it’s irrational, that fear of walking alone at night isn’t uncommon in America. About 30 percent of Americans are afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home, according to a 2017 Gallup poll. Women in particular – 46 percent in 2015, in fact – have that same fear.

Even on campus when I’m traversing the sidewalks between populated areas, I can see why so many of us fear the night-time commute. Last semester, when I went home in the evening, I noticed some spots in the Modesto Maidique Campus that were a little too secluded for my tastes.

The six-minute walk from Owa Ehan to the intersection in front of Parking Garage 5, for instance, feels hidden from the public. Even though the sidewalk next to the greenhouse and Academic Health Center 4 is lit up by street lights, I feel nervous when I traverse that path.

The area in front of the Red Parking Garage facing East Campus Circle also has a hedge which, while aesthetically pleasing, limits street visibility.

That same anxiety follows me at the Biscayne Bay Campus, especially in the nooks and crannies of some buildings and the pathway in front of the bus loop. If I feel that way during the day, I can’t imagine how that area must be at night.

Despite those issues, the environment of FIU itself is relatively safe, and the University does its best to ensure that students not only feel, but are, safe on campus. FIUPD cars pepper the sidewalks, and the Blue, Gold and Panther garages all face busy areas on campus. Plus, it’s easy to find company in the bustle between both buildings.

If you want to avoid walking to your car altogether, FIU offers golf cart transportation services every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the FIU Parking, Transportation and Sustainability website.

The Panther Safety Tram also provides escorts from any building or location, according to the 2017-2018 FlU Student Handbook. The tram is available from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays during Fall and Spring, and can be accessed by dialing 305-348-6173.

General safety tips, like traveling with friends or a group of people to the same place, can be found on the FIU website. Student Affairs, for instance, suggests that, if you are walking at night with friends and notice someone walking alone in the same direction, ask them to join you.

If you’re on campus enjoying a late-night stroll, always be on the lookout. Try not to wear headphones so you can take in all your surroundings. Carry pepper spray with you if need be. And don’t be afraid to speak out; you never know who you might be helping by doing so.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Photo by Palash Jain on Unsplash