By Nancy Newland
Published on December 5, 2007
Many PJC students may not be aware that Pensacola Junior College (PJC) is one of three of the 28 Florida community colleges with an independent and certified police department on campus. All PJC police officers have arrest powers and are armed. We undergo the same training any Florida city police officer, county deputy, or state agent must undergo and we meet all of the same requirements. We actively participate in many relevant training sessions, including how to respond to an active shooter on campus. This means that all three of our PJC campuses have well-trained police officers to assist members of the campus community in staying safe.
Regardless of the fact that our college has our own police department and dedicated police officers, the primary responsibility of all American citizens, including all of us on PJC campuses, is to accept personal responsibility in protecting ourselves. I have always had a theory why accepting this responsibility is so difficult for so many. When a baby is brought home from the hospital, all decisions must be made for that helpless child. In these early years, parents become conditioned to make all decisions for their children. As children grow and actually develop decision-making abilities, too often they are deprived of this great learning experience by well-meaning parents and other adults. Clothes are chosen for children, dinner decisions are made for children; when children go to school, they are told where to sit, when they can eat lunch, and must raise their hand to even go to the bathroom! Upon graduation from high school, young adults are sent out in the world to make good decisions. Too often, these young adults have never had the experience of learning how to think independently and critically in a way that allows for good decision-making. You may ask, “How does this opinion relate to safety and security on a college campus?” Let’s see!
PJC Police Department often receives calls for service that are a direct result of an individual failing to accept personal responsibility for his or her own safety. Often people become victims of crime because they “set themselves up” to be victimized.
* Closing vehicle windows, locking vehicle doors, and not leaving valuable items lying in plain view on a vehicle seat are all steps one can take to protect personal property left inside a vehicle.
* Not leaving books, laptops, purses, wallets, and other valuable items on a table, desk, or sink when leaving the area for a few minutes keeps an opportunist thief from having the ability to steal one’s property.
* Being aware of one’s surroundings allows a student to determine if there may be a dangerous situation in the area that could affect one’s personal safety.
* Not giving personal information to a faceless, nameless entity on a computer or telephone helps to keep one safe.
* Not placing information on personal websites that would allow a predator to identify and locate an individual helps keep one safe.
* Being honest and straightforward with an unwanted admirer can prevent that individual from becoming a dangerous stalker.
* Perhaps most important in staying safe is HAVING A PLAN! Identify situations and locations one finds himself or herself in. Determine today what type of behavior could threaten you. Develop a plan to survive NOW. If you don’t have a plan ahead of time, stress will not allow you to develop one when facing a crisis situation. Always see yourself survive, always see yourself win.
* Once one is victimized, refusing to remain a victim is critical in becoming a strong and emotionally healthy survivor.
So, ask yourself this question – “What are you willing to do to survive?” Basically, staying safe depends primarily on each individual. PJC police officers are here to help you best help yourselves. Always feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns.