University transportation clearly showing worth

When the University implemented new transpor­tation measures in the beginning of the semester, the expectation was that they were just empty promises. Safety has always been an issue, and the Univer­sity has struggled to implement programs that work in the long haul. However, since the initiation of the SHU Safe Ride and University Patrol, crime has been significantly more controlled, and these pro­grams appear to be serving their purpose - deterring crime off-campus, providing a safer environment for students.

However, as reported this week, students still re­main unhappy and are, in several ways perhaps, tak­ing advantage of these programs because they sim­ply misunderstand them. Public Safety reported a student calling for a ride from Rite Aid, but was later told that the Safe Ride did not travel down South Orange Avenue. She said she felt threatened, which prompted the University to send SOPD along with an escort. SOPD found no threat. Stu­dents must not abuse the privileges that Public Safety provides, and that, while these programs are meant to cater to students and provide addi­tional feelings of safety, they are not meant to be abused, especially when it involves police.

While it may be frustrating that the Safe Ride does not stop on South Orange Avenue because of des­ignated SHUFly stops, these hurdles are easily ma­neuverable, and instead of finding what is wrong or frustrating about a program, we should be admiring the fact that the Safe Ride has a huge spike in rid­ership compared to the CASE Van last year, illus­trating that it does work, and students like using it. We must respect these privileges, not abuse them.