Lake Effect News

By MELISSA BRAND

The Uptown Exchange

Empty security guard stand at Truman College on the first floor near the cafeteria. This desk is not always manned, despite the entry door being unlocked.

Smoke in non-smoking areas, sleep at their desks, talk on their personal cell phones, read the newspaper – I’ll take “What do Truman security guards REALLY do?” for $1000, Alex.

A lot of people don’t  feel safe or think security is doing their job at Truman College. There is never a security guard between the tutoring center in the basement to the elevators. There are no guards stationed on the second and third floors and it is rare to see one patrolling the hallways. People who come in from the outside are not stopped when using the restrooms to clean themselves. Anyone can enter the school –through any of the doors – and just hang all day.

At 8:50 p.m. on Oct. 7,  the only security guard in the lobby was on his cell phone. This was a very busy time – classes had ended and the lobby was buzzing with students. That same night, there were no guards anywhere in the back parking lot. The week before, the guard on duty was in his truck with the lights off, talking to a woman in another car. Clearly, he was not concerned about anyone’s safety.

When students were asked how they feel about Truman security, most did not want to talk about it. Josephine Rizzo, a nursing student, said, “I don’t feel safe, especially at night. There’s suspicious activity outside. I don’t think they’re doing their job. They’re on their phone or talking and laughing with each other. I think they should have more officers patrolling outside.”

Cameron Edwards, a freshman, said, “Hell no. No one is at the back door by the high school, or if there is, he’s sleeping. Also, the bums are lounging inside and out so you can’t tell who goes here. My cousin goes to Kennedy-King and he said they card harder than a liquor store.”

LaJena Miller had a different opinion. She looked around and said “Yes, the hallway is well lit and janitorial staff is still around. Security is at both doors. I believe they’re doing what they’re supposed to do. I wouldn’t say they can’t improve. I feel safe, but I would like there to be more uniforms like the other Chicago city colleges.”

When visitors enter Malcolm X College, another city college, they are asked for ID. If they have a City Colleges of Chicago ID, they can go right in. If not, they can show their driver’s license and sign in. Besides security checking IDs at the main entrances, there is one security guard stationed upstairs near the cafeteria, and through the hallways, you may pass five or more guards within just a few minutes.

However, when you enter Truman College – even if there is a security guard at any entrance – they never ask for ID. Toward the back of the school, there are two more guard stands. The one next to the cafeteria is not always manned. One of the guards at the guard stand by the high school was seen sleeping on a few occasions. Instead of telling people not to smoke in non-smoking areas, guards have been seen smoking with them.

Ira Hunter, the head of Truman’s security, said things are changing. In response to complaints about security not being visible, not knowing who security is, or the guards sleeping or on their phones, Hunter said, “Some of that, those are things that people should send me an e-mail for. I need times and dates so I can pinpoint who it is.” Hunter pulled out a log book to show that guards monitor all areas and check in while making their rounds.

Hunter said new uniforms that will distinguish security guards from other staff are coming. Right now, security, maintenance and just about anyone else can wear the same green Truman shirt. There will also be a security training session during winter break to get everyone back on track.

With the smoking, there are two issues. The first is that people smoke where others are trying to enter the school. Hunter said, “The actual ordinance says you can’t smoke within 15 feet of the door, so that actually places you in our walkway. People tend to stand right at the corner of the public way a lot of times and smoke. They actually have the right to do it there . . . but it impacts everybody that walks through.”

Secondly, even the security guards are smoking in these areas. Hunter said he talked to a guard about it and said “If it looks even too close to the legal area then don’t do it. It’s all about perception.”

He admits that there are issues and Truman is a challenge because it is set up differently than most schools. “We don’t have a campus; we’re right in the middle of the neighborhood.”

Melissa Brand is the opinion editor of the Truman College student newspaper, The Uptown Exchange. This story originally appeared in The Uptown Exchange’s November 2009 issue.