Student safety remains a high priorty for campus security as they continues to improve.
Shelly Yoshida, a Community service officer, said that budget cuts have not hurt campus security.
“We have actually grown in recent years our Cadet Program has gone from ten Cadets to thirty,” Yoshida said.
Yoshida added that there are several kinds of security services, from building checks and parking checks to patrolling certain areas.
“We also have some hidden surveillance videos all around campus,” Yoshida said.
Brian Hill, a police cadet, said security has vastly improved during the last two years, which has also seen El Camino’s Police Department merge with the Compton College Police Department.
“Safety is very important and a top priority, which is why I think the budget cuts have not affected us at all,” Hill said.
“All of our services are available at all times,” Hill said.
Yoshida said students should definitely take advantage of the services that are available to them.
“Not too many people use the escort shuttle, which I would recommend, especially for students with classes at night,” Yoshida said.
Yoshida said she advises students to walk in groups, or to use the buddy system while on campus.
She added that people should also be careful when using their headphones while they are walking, especially during the night, because that can easily distract them or let their guard down
“Some of the big problems that could be easily avoided are car thefts and stealing. Some students leave their car doors or their windows open, or forget their belongings,” Yoshida said.
Yoshida also said that students should make sure that they know who exactly they are with or talking to at all times.
However, some student’s safety will always be a issue among the campus.
“My friends have told me stories about assaults that have happened right here on campus, even during the daytime,” Susan Hong, undecided major, said.
“I can’t say I feel safe if things like that are happening on campus, you never know when it can happen to you, and I don’t see much security around, so no, I do not feel safe,” Hong said.
Hong said she doesn’t blame security, but that more could and should be done to prevent problems like these from occurring.
“More security is always better, but with all these cuts to classes, I don’t know if that would be possible,” Hong said.
Hong added that the assaults are a big issue on campus.
“I’m sure I’m not the only student on campus who feels this way,” she said. “If more security is available that would be great, but until these assaults stop happening, I won’t feel safe here on campus.”